The business had its beginnings when Hull’s great-great grandfather Hiram Willard moved from Maine to Galena, Ill., where he founded a tannery, and then later moved his business to Marshall, Iowa. Willard’s daughter married a man with the last name Hull, thus creating a connection between the Willard and Hull families. In Marshall, later named Marshalltown, the business involved the tanning of pelts, manufacturing the coats, and selling them in a store, as well as through catalogs. The business handled such internationally grown pelts as monkey, jaguar, polar bear and leopard. At one time the business created hats as well as coats and was known as Willard’s Fur and Millinery. Hull became a part of the fur business when he returned to his native Marshalltown in 1982. He said that he is still selling furs, but the store now sells mainly women’s ready to wear, and operates a tux rental in addition.

- Times Republican