Garner H. Tullis
Encyclopedia
Garner Hugh Tullis, Sr. (April 4, 1893—February 18, 1966), was a New Orleans businessman and civic leader who formed his own brokerage firm, Tullis, Craig & Bright, and became a partner of E.F. Hutton and Company. He was also a nationally known yachtsman who won the St. Petersburg, Florida
, to Havana, Cuba, races in 1930, 1932, and 1948.
Tullis was born in tiny St. Joseph
, the seat of Tensas Parish, located along the Mississippi River
in northeastern Louisiana
, to the attorney and landowner Hugh Tullis and the former Nellie Watson. He arrived in New Orleans at the age of sixteen and worked his way from messenger in a cotton firm to become the principal cotton trader in the whole city. Employed by John F. Clark & Co, he later formed his own brokerage company and then became the Hutton partner in New Orleans. He was a founder of the Louisiana and Southern Life Insurance Company (later Charter Security Life Insurance). He chaired the board of the company until his death.
During World War II
, Tullis served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Coast Guard
and as commander of the Port of Orleans Security Volunteer Force.
Tullis married the former Mary Lee Brown on October 6, 1916. Their children were Malcolm McCullough Tullis (born 1917), Mary Lee Tullis (born 1919), Garner Hugh Tullis, Jr. (1923–1930), and Eli Watson Tullis (born 1928).
In 1939, Tullis purchased a historic home in Biloxi, Mississippi
, for use as a summer home. It subsequently became known as the Tullis-Toledano Manor
. After its sale to the city of Biloxi in 1975, it became a popular museum and local attraction. Many young couples were married on the beautiful grounds of the home. Sadly, it was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
on August 29, 2005.
Tullis "ruled" New Orleans as Rex, King of Carnival
in 1935. His interest in yachts led to his becoming the commodore of the Southern Yacht Club
. He died while cruising off the Gulf of Mexico
near Apalachicola, Florida
, aboard his yacht Windjammer.
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, to Havana, Cuba, races in 1930, 1932, and 1948.
Tullis was born in tiny St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Louisiana
St. Joseph is a town in and the parish seat of Tensas Parish in northeastern Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,340 at the 2000 census. The town is 69 percent African American. St. Joseph is the entry community to Lake Bruin State Park located on Lake Bruin, a relatively clear oxbow...
, the seat of Tensas Parish, located along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in northeastern Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, to the attorney and landowner Hugh Tullis and the former Nellie Watson. He arrived in New Orleans at the age of sixteen and worked his way from messenger in a cotton firm to become the principal cotton trader in the whole city. Employed by John F. Clark & Co, he later formed his own brokerage company and then became the Hutton partner in New Orleans. He was a founder of the Louisiana and Southern Life Insurance Company (later Charter Security Life Insurance). He chaired the board of the company until his death.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Tullis served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and as commander of the Port of Orleans Security Volunteer Force.
Tullis married the former Mary Lee Brown on October 6, 1916. Their children were Malcolm McCullough Tullis (born 1917), Mary Lee Tullis (born 1919), Garner Hugh Tullis, Jr. (1923–1930), and Eli Watson Tullis (born 1928).
In 1939, Tullis purchased a historic home in Biloxi, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, for use as a summer home. It subsequently became known as the Tullis-Toledano Manor
Tullis-Toledano Manor
Tullis-Toledano Manor, also known as, the Toledano-Philbrick-Tullis House, was a red clay brick mansion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Biloxi. It was considered an example of Greek Revival architecture...
. After its sale to the city of Biloxi in 1975, it became a popular museum and local attraction. Many young couples were married on the beautiful grounds of the home. Sadly, it was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
on August 29, 2005.
Tullis "ruled" New Orleans as Rex, King of Carnival
Rex parade
Rex is a New Orleans Carnival Krewe which stages one of the city's most celebrated parades on Mardi Gras Day. Rex is Latin for "King", and Rex reigns as "The King of Carnival"....
in 1935. His interest in yachts led to his becoming the commodore of the Southern Yacht Club
Southern Yacht Club
The Southern Yacht Club is located in New Orleans, Louisiana's West End neighborhood, on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Established in 1854, it is the third oldest yacht club in the United States.-Sailing:...
. He died while cruising off the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
near Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98 about southwest of Tallahassee. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimated the city's population at 2,340...
, aboard his yacht Windjammer.