The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-01
A sketch Of Mr. ruIIer.s Life.

CHicAGo, ILL.,, April 30.--Thc nomina-
ton OF Melville W. Fuller Of Chicago, as
chief justice OF the United States is regard
ed here with unbounded satisfaction by
the leading men Of both parties. Mr.
Fuller is in every respect fitted to ill the
high Office TO which hc has been nomi.
mated Melville Weston Fuller was born
In Augusta, Me-, on February IT., 1853
His father was Frederick a. Fuller; his
mother Catherine Martin, daughter of
Chief Justice Nathan Weston. Melville
W. fitted for college in Augusta, and grad
uated at Bowdon IN the class Of 1858, hi
classmaic being 4. J. Phelps, our minister
90 England. Mr. Fuller, after leaving col
lcge, began the study Of the law ut Bangor
After attending lectures in the law de
partmcnt Of Harvard university, he began
10 practice his profession IN Augusta IN
1855. While waiting for clients, he acted
as editor Of the Age and won his spurs in
Journalism. Feeling that his true field Of
work was the law, and rcdizing that his nj
tive city did not afford that scope for
effort which he stood IN need of, Mr.. Full
Ter came west and selected Chicago. Here
he did not have TO wait long for practice
His ability was speedily recognized and
properly rewarded. For thirty ycagshc has
enjoyed lucrative practice, and has won
distinction among the foremost at this
bar. In 1851 he was elected n mombr
OF the State constitutional convention. In
1862 he was chosen to the Legislature, and
although Democrat, running each time
In strong Republican district, ho was
victorious by large maj0ntics. lie was a
delegate 10 tho Democratic national con.
yenton In 1864, 1872, 1876 and 1880. In
1860 he was selected by the citizens 10 de-.
liver the address sf welcome o. Stephen 4.
Douglas. In 1853 Mr.. Fuller married
.Calista G. Reynolds, and after her dccca r.,
Mary Ellen, daughter OF the distinguished
banker, William L. Coolbaugh. lie has
eight daughters. In his practice in the
supreme court Of the United States Mr.
Fuller has repeatedly come in contact,
both as colleague and ns an op
poncnt, with Mcssrs. Edmunds, Thur.
man, lIoadly. lngcrsoll and other al.
mittcdly great lawyers, and has never
failed 90 hold his own against the best oI
them. lie IL familiar with the decisions
:. OF that court and well informed on the his,
tory OF our country and especially on con.
stitutonal questions. Not content with
the vast amount Of reading and writing
which Of necessity results from the actiy,
practice Of his profession, Mr.. Fuller doc'
an immense amount OF miscellaneous ruad
ing and writing by way Of recreation. III,
Il an omniyorous reader, resembles Macau
lay In hrs liking for a good novel, "
well with tho swiitncss with which
he grasps the contents Of book and tht
tcnacity with which his memory clings tC
II. Mr. Fuller was dining with som,
friends at the Iroquois club whou found by
an Associated Press reporter. lie had M
intention whatever OF nomination, an,
was 40 overcome by the announcement
for some moments he could utter nOthinl
more than an exclamation oi surprise. ii,
requested that he be not pressed Tor an cN
tended interview, saying that he was no
In condition 10 talk on the subject, as thl
nomination had come 10 unexpectedly
lie, however, stated that he would not dc
cline the nomination.