Pullman was born on March 3, 1831 in Brocton, New York. He was raised in Albion, New York. Pullman was married to Hattie Amelia Sanger from 1867 until his death in 1897. They had four children. Pullman died on October 19, 1897 in Chicago, Illinois from a heart attack, aged 66. He was buried at Graceland Cemetery.