BULLOCK, Rufus Brown, American statesman: b. Bethlehem, Albany County, N. Y., 28 March 1834; d. Atlanta, Ga., 27 April 1907. He was graduated at Albion Academy in 1850, and, after various pursuits, was sent during 1859-60 to organize the business of the Adams Express Company in the South Atlantic States. His headquarters were at Augusta, Ga., where he formed the Southern Express Company and became one of its active managers. During the Civil War he continued this occupation under the direction of the Confederate government establishing railroad and telegraph lines on interior routes. Later he was placed in charge of contributions for the officers and men of the Army of Northern Virginia, and at Appomat tox he gave his parole as acting assistant quar termaster-general. After the cessation of hos tilities he resumed the general management of express affairs and was elected one of the trustees and secretary of the Southern Express Company. He was also associated in the organ ization of the First National Bank of Georgia and was elected president of the Macon and Augusta Railroad. In 1867 he was chosen a delegate to the convention called to frame a constitution under the reconstruction laws then recently passed. His course at that convention met with the approval of its progressive mem bers and he was their unanimous choice as candidate for governor. After a bitter canvass
in the spring of 1868 the new constitution waS ratified and Bullock was declared elected. But the reactionists obtained a majority in the leg islature and expelled the colored men who had been elected and seated. Against this action the governor protested, and after its accomplish ment brought the matter to the attention of Congress, by which he was empowered to re assemble the old legislature, including the ex pelled colored members. This struggle for the rights of negroes to hold office rendered him very unpopular in his State, and he was over whelmed with abuse. At the next regular elec tion the opposition seated a large majority of the general assembly, and just prior to its con vening in November 1870 Governor Bullock resigned his office. Charges of corruption were made against him, and, after a hearing in the State courts at Atlanta, he was acquitted and thoroughly vindicated. He continued his resi dence in Georgia and became president of one of the largest cotton mills in Atlanta. For sev eral years he was prominent in public service; as a trustee of Atlanta University, president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, vice-presi dent of the Cotton States Exposition and gov ernment director of the Union Pacific Railroad.