Hon. Samuel L. Fuller (deceased), the first president of the Michigan State Horticultural society, was a native of Geneseo, Livingston county, N. Y., was born January 29, 1818, and received an excellent academic education, graduating from the celebrated school of Dr. Beck at Albany. In the spring of 1836 he came to Michigan, passed the summer in traveling over the state, and in the autumn settled in Grand Rapids as a surveyor and civil engineer. He found employment here and elsewhere on some of the most important state work, and assisted in laying out the city of Grand Rapids and the canal at Sault Ste. Marie.

In 1840, Mr. Fuller was recalled to Livingston county, N. Y., to become private secretary to Hon. Charles Carroll. In 1844 he left Mr. Carroll to take charge of his own

father’s estate at Conesus, in Livingston county, and in 1853 went to Europe to purchase thoroughbred cattle for an association of Livingston county farmers. On his return he purchased the state premium farm at Geneva, known as the estate of Oakland—sometimes called Delsfield farm, but ill health compelled him to relinquish it and retire to the homestead at Conesus, known as Centremont, to recuperate. During this period of rest he was elected to the state legislature and served two years, and was, indeed, during all his residence in Livingston county, ever active in promoting any measure that might prove beneficial to the community, and enjoyed its full confidence and respect. For years he was a member of the board of supervisors, and president of the school board, was constantly in office as a magistrate, and a trusted referee in legal disputations and in the settlement of estates. His patriotism was beyond impeachment or suspicion, and his physical disability alone prevented his joining the army when the war of the Rebellion broke out in 1861, but he aided the Union cause with his means and influence.

In the spring of 1863, Mr. Fuller became interested in the Central Express company, was made its superintendent, and moved to New York City. In 1868, the company having sold its interest to the Merchants’ Union Express company, he returned to Grand Rapids to join his brother, Edward P. Fuller, in private banking, which business was successfully conducted several years, and will be found mentioned in detail in the biography of Edward P. Fuller on another page.

No part of the state of Michigan has been more fortunate in the accession of valuable citizens than the Grand River Valley was in the coming of the Hon. S. L. Fuller. He early enlisted himself in the cause of agriculture and horticulture and was persistent in his efforts for their development. He signed the first call for a meeting to organize the State Horticultural society and was made chairman of that meeting. He was unceasing in his efforts to build up the embryo organization and make it a power for good. He gave office room for meetings and consultation, and seemed to see, more clearly than others, the great possibilities of the state becoming a fruit center se. He made a trip through Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Dakotas, and on his return told the society to push their work—that the great northwest was waiting and was hungry for Michigan fruit. His enthusiasm over the subject seemed to know no bounds, and he prophesied that the northwestern states would prove ready consumers of all the fruit Michigan could produce.

Mr. Fuller was also an early worker in the Grand River Horticultural society and in the West Michigan Farmers’ club, and was the life of both, as he attended all their meetings, and acted officially most of the time as president, secretary, etc., and although he frequently expressed a desire to be relieved of official duties, the members as frequently declared "No; we cannot get along without you; you are half the meeting." He had a cheerful word for everybody, was a firm friend of farmers’ institutes, and was one of the first to advocate an appropriation sufficient to enable them to hold a meeting each year in every county of the state. Public spirited, he nevertheless wanted no office for pecuniary gain. To benefit his fellow-men in the field of labor was to him an ample reward. He came from that part of western New York made famous by the first thorough work in tile-draining by the veteran farmer, John Johnston, and was himself the first to introduce ensilage in Michigan and to feed it. He was not afraid of innovations, and was heartily in favor of consultation and the interchange of views and experience, as he argued that no two men ever saw the same process with identical eyes. The Kent Scientific institute was languishing when he returned; he became an influential member and was assiduous in its support, always attending its meetings and urging others to do so, and thus revived the organization.

Mr. Fuller was twice married. He first wedded Miss Elizabeth Stevens, and two children were born to that union; the only one living is Mrs. A. C. Torrey, of Grand Rapids. After Mrs. Fuller died, Mr. Fuller next married Mrs. A. S. Van Vechten, in 1856. No children were born to the last marriage.

Mr. Fuller was a stanch republican in politics, and in religion was a devout member of the Episcopal church, being one of the charter members of the St. Mark’s church at Grand Rapids, to the support of which he was a most liberal contributor.

He often spoke of the value of the counsel he received from his helpmates, as it was his wont to consult them on all important occasions, even to details, and had great confidence in their judgment, and believed this course to be true life matrimonial. He reached the ripe age of seventy-nine years, and passed away in peace April 27, 1897, leaving to his offspring the priceless heritage of a spotless name, and one that will endure in all the future days of the existence of the city of Grand Rapids..