The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-05-17
n,ELv11LE WESTON FULLER.
Illinois Furnishes u Successor to the La
mented chief Justice Waite.

Illinois Furnishes u Successor to the La
mented chief Justice Waite.
The new Chief Justice could scarcely
have been anything but lawyer. His
father and his fathers brothers were
lawyers. One of his grandfathers was d
lawyer and Judge of Probate. His
mothers brother was lawyer. His
maternal grandfather was Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas of
Middle District of Maine: and after the
separation of Maine from Massachusetts
was appointed one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of the State of Maine,
and he afterwards became the Chief
Justice of that Court. Nature gave
Melville Weston Fuller good start on
the road to distinction in his profession.
The choice of Mr.. Cleveland for the
highest place in his gift was born in
Augusta, Maine, on FEBRUARY IL, 1888.
He received his collegiate education at
Bowdoin, where he was a classmate of
Minister Phelps, and was graduated in
1853. Mr.. Fuller pursued the study of
law at Bangor, and also attended lectures
at the law department of Harvard Uni
verslty. In 1855 he began to practice in
his native city, but devoted himself
chiefly to editorial duties. The following
y
Augusta common council, and was made
president of that body. In addition to
this he was city solicitor, but he resigned
both Offices, and went to Chicago. He
at once established lucrative practice,
and mado reputation as an able lawyer.
AT an early period he took an active
part in politics. He worked hard in the
Presidential campaign of 1866, support
ing the Democratic candidate. Five
years later he and "Long John" Went
worth were elected delegates to the State
Constitutional Convention, where his
legal abilities came into play, and he
rendereda distinct service in the revision
OF the Constitution. In 1862 MIR.
Fuller was sent to tho Legislature from
usually Republican stronghold. He
has continued to be actively engaged in
politics, and was a delegate to the Nat
lOnal Conventions for several years, tax
ing part in those held in 1864, 1872, 1876
and 1880. His record in the Legislature
was one of efficient service. 1t was in
1868 that he was Mt Springfield, and he
was the recognized leader of his party
during those stormy days. Among the
numetous public addresses which he de-
lvored tho one at Michigan ity in 1860,
III welcoming Stephen A. Douglas, is
mentioned ~ especially noteworthy for
its cloquenco. He it was, also, who de-
hvcred the address II year later when that
celebrated statesman died. In the mean
time he had been rising in his profession.
He was notably connected with some
celebrated cases before the State
Supreme Court arising out of the proro-
cation Of the Legislature by Governor
Yates in that year. In 1869, when
10 FOL >I,.l
line the now Bishop Cheney before an
ecclesiastical tribunal for leaving "rcee-
nerate" out of the Office of infant babtism,
the offender was advised and defended
oil through the years of tedious litigation
by MIR. Fuller, who exhibited profound
research and knowledge of ecclesiastical
law. The Reformed Episcopal Church,
of Chicago, of which Cheney is Bishop,
largely owes its existence to tho prosocu-
tion thus instituted. Mr.. Fuller has
often appeared before the Supreme
Court of the United States, and his rep-
utation IS that of II learned and sound
lawyer and man of very superior cult.
vation and attainments.
He was married in Chicago in 1858,
but soon lost his wife. In 1866 he was
married second time. Mrs. Fuller is q
little woman, blonde, with a sympathetic
face, winning manner and a ready
tongue. She has five daughters and a
little son. The young ladies of the family
are remarkable for their cultivation and
originality. One Of them attracted a
great deal of attention two seasons ago
i'll Washington. There is no doubt that
they will be bellies in the society of the
Capital.
In personal appearance Mr.. Fuller is
unusully handsome; his hair and mustche
are sllvcry and his features clear-cut and
Intelligent He is short in stature and
OF slight build. His membership in the
Democratic party has been continuous.
While holding advanced viows Of State
rights, he was loyal to the Union cause
during the war. He is q member of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and has
been prominently id entitled with that
denomination.
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