Biography

Grant C. Tullar

1869 - 1950

Grant Colfax Tullar was born in Bolton, Tolland County, Conn., August 5, 1869. His father had been incapacitated for active work through injuries received at the battle of Antietam. His mother died when he was two years old, leaving a family of nine children. On the day of her burial the family was scattered, never to be together as a family again. Grant had no settled home after that day till he had become a man and had one of his own, but he lived a few months or a few years in a place, having practically no educational advantages, no religious or home training, and at the age of ten began to earn his own way by working in a woolen mill. For the next few years he had a very checkered career, suffering the usual privations of the homeless, friendless waif.

After working a few months at the mill, he went to Hartford, Conn., where he secured a job as errand boy in a shoe store. This job he held for two and a half years, rising to the position of bookkeeper. He then accepted a position in a wholesale shoe-house in Boston, Mass., and after spending a few months in that city, he went to Waterbury, Conn. He was now nineteen years of age, and while attending a meeting, was led to Christ through the earnest consecrated effort of Mrs. H. F. Conrad, of that city, and with the new life opened before him everything changed for the better, "old things passed away and behold all things became new." He felt that he had a call to religious work and at twenty years of age he entered Hackettstown Academy, New Jersey.

After two years of hard study he was compelled to give up the course on account of poor health. During these two years special talent was shown along gospel hymn lines, which was destined to be developed by practical work in the evangelistic field into which he was led during the succeeding years.

Mr. Tullar has preached the Gospel in sermon and in song in all parts of the United States and Canada, also in many other parts of the world. In 1893, in association with Mr. I. H. Meredith, formed the Tullar-Meredith Company, whose publications are now well known wherever gospel songs are sung. These gentlemen are also associated in evangelistic work.

In 1898 Mr. Tullar married Miss Anna Belle Woods, at Aledo, IL.; they reside at East Orange, N. J. Among the numerous songs which Mr. Tullar has given to the world in recent years probably the best known are: " Face to Face," "Nailed to the Cross," "Forward" and "He Did Not Die in Vain." The books which he has been associated in editing are as follows : "Sermons in Song," "Sunday-School Hymns," "The Bible School Hymnal," "The Sacrifice of Braise," "Children's Praise," "Songs Sacred and Secular," a book for male voices, "The American Songster," "Hymns of Worship and Praise" and "Manly Songs for Christian Men." All the above works are published by the Tullar-Meredith Company, of New York City.

Mr. Tullar is doing good work in the Master's vineyard, both preaching and singing the Gospel with telling effect. May he live long and continue to reap for Him who has invited the world to come unto Him and be saved.

Source: Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers
by J. H. Hall; 1914