GEORGE FULLER George Fuller, a successful farmer of Tallmadge Township, and one of the energetic and public-spirited citizens of Ottawa County, was born in the State of New York, August 20, 1820. He is eighth of a family of thirteen children born to Daniel and Annie (Ames) Fuller, natives of New York, who died respectively about 1867 and 1863. His primary education was acquired in the common schools of Sackett’s Harbor, N.Y., and at the age of twelve years he accompanied his parents to Michigan, settling with them in the woods of Wayne County. They came to Michigan at a date so early in the history of this State that Detroit, now the principal city of this powerful commonwealth, contained only three buildings. The surrounding country was all a wilderness, overgrown with tangled shrubbery and lofty forest trees. This was in 1832. Sixty years and more have come and gone since this little family sought a home in Michigan. The parents are deceased and the children scattered in various parts of the country; but the State of which they were pioneers has continued to grow, and is now one of the most prominent in the galaxy of commonwealths of this great union. Our subject spent ten years in Detroit, after which he moved to Macomb County and sojourned there for about three years. He came to Grand Rapids in February, 1843. At that season of the year the country was covered with snow and it was impossible to secure employment of any kind. He had five shillings in money and also had the promise from his brother, who lived in Grand Rapids, that he would give him work to do in the spring; meanwhile he was given the privilege of remaining with the brother and settling for his board afterwards. In the spring of 1843 Mr. Fuller began the chopping of timber, and succeeded in clearing one hundred acres in eighteen months. He has cleared a farm in Kent Count, one in Newago County and one in Ottawa County, upon which he resides. He has devoted his attention to farming and lumbering. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of the Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, in which he served until he was disabled, when he was discharged. During the period of his active service he participated in a number of skirmishes, in all of which he bore his part with the gallantry and courage of a true patriot. Miss Emily, daughter of Jesse Smith, of Kent County, Mich., became the wife of our subject in 1845. Six children were born of the union. Rebecca married John Betts and lives in Ottawa County; Susanna is the wife of Robert Andrews, and makes her home in Newago County; Euphema is the wife of Rev. Robert Linn, of Indiana; George E. married Miss Ida Squires, and resides in Kansas; L.P. married Miss Mabel Applegarth and also lives in Kansas; Louana is the wife of Andrew Vogel, and makes her home with our subject In politics Mr. Fuller is an advocate of the Peoples party. In 1880 he was nominated by the Democrats for Representative of Newago County, but declined the nomination and during the same year he cast his ballot with the greenback party. He was the first treasurer ever elected in Ashland Township, Newago County, and also filled the position of Supervisor for many terms. Socially, he is a member of Champlin Post No. 248, F. & A.M. While not a member of any church, he believes in the immortality of the soul.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 17 October 2003
URL: Return to Bios Index