Bullard, William Reed, 1837-1890

William Reed Bullard was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1837. After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1860, he set up a medical practice in Indianapolis. At the start of the Civil War he served as a medical examiner of recruits for the Union Army. The following year he took charge of the hospital for Confederate prisoners at Fort Donelson. Dr. Bullard's work during the war and for the two succeeding years impaired his health. He moved west to Montana Territory in 1867 and got a job as an assayer for a mining company. His health somewhat improved and he returned to Indianapolis in 1868 to resume his practice. In 1870, Dr. Bullard returned to Helena, Montana, to take up a permanent residence. He immediately took an active role in the community, serving as a pension examiner, member of the Helena Board of Health, and trustee of the city library. In 1872, Dr. Bullard married Mary N. Gilman, daughter of pioneer Jefferson County Treasurer John C. Gilman. In December 1873, they had a twin son and daughter, John Gilman Bullard and Clara Gertrude Bullard. Dr. William Reed Bullard died February 16, 1890, in Helena.

From the guide to the William Reed Bullard Papers, 1866-1920, (Montana Historical Society Archives)

William Reed Bullard was born to Asa and Lucretia Bullard on September 7, 1837. He attended Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1857. After graduating Bullard practiced medicine for ten years with his uncle Dr. Talbut Bullard in Indianapolis, Indiana. While in Indiana, William worked at a Union hospital in which the wounded and dying prisoners taken at Fort Donelson were confined. Here he began to suffer ill health from continual overwork. Eventually, Bullard left Indiana and settled in Montana, opening a practice in Helena. Here, as one of its founding members, he was a highly respected and involved member of the community. In addition, Bullard was, for many years, the Medical Examiner for Montana, and a charter member as well as Secretary of the Territorial Medical Society. Never a robust individual, Dr. William Reed Bullard died in 1890 of persistently deteriorating health due to overwork.

From the description of Papers of William Reed Bullard, 1852-1895. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 275168900