Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-10-14

Ex.Gov. Levi K Fuller of Brattleboro
died at his home in Brattleboro at an early
hour last Saturday m orning. In his death
the state of Vermont has lost one of her
most distinguished sons and Windham
county an honored and beloved citizen. II
has well been said that he was conspicu-
Gus example Of the self-made man, man
who rose to high station and aflluence
through his own integrity, natural ability,
limitless ambition and unremitting toll.
Levi X. Fuller was born in Westmore-
land, N. H., February d. 1911; his par
ents, of English and German stock, re-
moved in 1915 to Windham county where
at the age of 13 the boy set out to make
his own way in the world
He attended the high school at Bellows
Falls and Brattleboro. worked at the trade
of printer and learned telegraphy. AT
16, having developed an aptitude for me-
chanics, he won premium for a steam
engine Improvement at the Windham
County Agricultural Society's fair. Going
to Boston he served an apprenticeship as a
machinist, acting for a time as a night tele-
graph operator at the Merchants Ex-
change. During a great portion of his
residence in Boston he also took scienti-
fic course at the evening schools,
Returning to Brattleboro in 1860, he
entered the Estey works as machinist and
mechanical engineer and later established a
machine shop of his own, manufacturing
woodworking and other machinery success.
fully.
In April 1866, he entered with Col
Estey the firm of j. Estey & Co. (now the
Estey Organ company experimenting the
manufacturing department, and for &c
years has been vice president Of the com.
pany.
He was most indefatigable inventor,
his name appearing in the patent office
records at Washington as the author of a
hundred different inventions, many of great
value.
His success in establishing personally
large European agencies for the company,
and his many trips abroad in its interest,
won for him recognition on both sides Of
the Atlantic as a broad man Of business
On his trip in 1873 he was rendered by
President Q. S. Grant the appointment as
commissioner to the Vienna Exposition,
which he was obliged to decline on account
of press OF private business.
The music trade of two continents ac-
knowledge his success as factor in build
ing the great Estey interests to their pres
ent position. His last achievement in Sc
curing the adoption of what is termed in
the musical world international Pitch
for musical instruments, now officially
adopted by all makers, has been termed by
Mr. Steinway zone of the most important,
perhaps the most important, in. annals of
musical history"
He was an active member OF the Ameri-
can Society for Advancement of Science
and of the American Society of Mechani.
cal Engineers and also interested in as
tronomy, had an observatory of his own
and the finest equatorial telescope in Yer
mont. His library of scientific and techni-
cal works is one of the most complete.
Organizing the Fuller Light Battery Yer
month ational Guard as an independent com
pany in 1874, he continuously served there
with, bringing it to a degree of perfection
universally commended by all regular
army inspectors as second to no military
organization in the country, and adding
| greatly to the reputation OF the Vermont
militia. He was breveted colonel in 1887
for long and meritorious service He also
served as an aid on the staff of Gov Con.
verse.
His private business, however, had moi
prevented him from participating actively
in public affairs. both local and state. Ht
held important town and village offices,
was trustee of the Brattleboro Saving
bank and the free library
In 1880 he was elected to the stat,
senate, taking an active part in importan
legislation Of that session, including wha
was then known as the New Tax law (,
measure tending to equalize the burden o
taxation and proving satisfactory to th'
people. As a member of the senate h'
served as chairman of the committee OIL
finance, upon the committee on miIltar,
affairs and that on railroads. In 1856 b
was elected lieutenant governor, filing tha
position with credit to himself and homo
to the state, proving himself one of tn
best equipped presiding officers the senat
ever had. He was elected governor in 1892
Early in life he became connected wit
the Baptist denomination and always ha
an active interest in the success of til
church of his choice. His gifts, however
were not confined to that faith
His interest in educational matters wa
well known, one of the most important j
this direction being that Of Vermont Acad
emy at Saxtons River, to which he largel
, gave both of time and money, and unde
his man ueunent Ia r,rasident of the hoar