Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-10-16


church of this town, and has always re-
tanned a very active interest in the success
of the church of his choice. His interest
in church affairs has led TO many notable
gifts in Vermont and in other states. The
Baptist church at st. Johnsbury have al
ways cherished a very grateful regard for
him because of the large contributions
which led to the establishment of that body.
A like feeling has been entertained by the
Baptist church at West Brattleboro. where
for many years he occupied the position of
superintendent of the Sunday school, and
entered largely into the management of the
church affairs. His gifts, however, were
not confined to churches and institutions of
his own faith, but his liberalty in all direc-
tions was proverbial OF this, however,
no exact information can be secured, and
indeed it is not necessary.
He was for a number of years treasurer
of the Vermont Baptist state convention,
and was for a time president of the con-
vention. For several years he served the
Baptist church at Brattleboro as its clerk,
and during many annual periods was a
member of the managing board of trustees.
Until within comparatively recent time
he was an active member of the Baptist
Sunday school, and there are very many in
this community and elsewhere who will re-
member his faithful labors as a devoted
teacher in that school
Activity I'm Civil and Military Affairs.
Gov. Fuller, although burdened with
many business cares, always maintain
ed a very active interest in all matters
that pertained to the welfare of Brattle-
boro. He was at one time chairman of the
board of bailiffs of the village, and intro
duced many improvements during that pc
riod which we're well recognized, and the
influence of which is felt to this day. He
has been for several years a trustee of the
Free library, created through the munif-
cence of the late Mr.. George j. Brooks,
and was also a member of the executive
board of the Brattleboro savings bank, al
though for several years unable to devote
very much time to its affairs. He was a
prominent Free Mason, and an influential
member of Beauseant commandery, as
well as a member of the Odd Fellows and
Red Men organizations He was for sew
eral years on the board of trustees of the
American Baptist Home Missionary society
of New York, and of the American Bap-
fist Missionary union with headquarters in
Boston.
During the period Immediately subse-
quent to the war he, with many other citi-
zens, evinced a great interest in military
affairs. In 1874 he organized and equipped
the Fuller Light Battery, V. n. G., as an
independent company. For a long term of
years he was captain of that company,
and entered into its thorough training with
the keenest zeal, bringing the organization
to a degree of proficiency univ ersally COM
mended by regular army inspectors as sec
ond to no other military organization in
the country, and adding greatly thereby to
the reputation of the Vermont militia
Until his election to the office of governor,
in 1892, Col. Fuller retained his active in
terest and title in this organization, and
regularly camped with them at their an
nual muster. He was brevetted colonel
in 1887 for long and meritorious service in
the Vermont National Guard.
Mr.. Fuller participated actively in pub
lie affairs, not only local but state. In
1880 he was elected to the state senate,
and took very active part in the import
ant legislation of that session, including
what was then known as 1.-THE new tax
law" measure tending to squalize the
burden of taxation and prof. ns most salts
factory to the people; ordinary did Mr..
Fuller take very etr ton smob ss prep
n IaTnre, bu ms Is..S &c Atg s en- INTO
dc
successful operation. 1t was such a radi-
cal departure from the old system that
there was great confusion in the minds Of
the listers who were appointed to carry out
these provisions, so much so that meetings
of these officials were called to study to-
gether and arrive at definite understand
ing concerning all points of difference or
doubt. Mr.. Fuller, who had accepted an
election as a member of the Brattleboro
board of listers, was of great aid in eluci-
dating all matters in connection with this
law, and not only assisted the Brattleboro
board, but participated in the conventions
of listers which were held. AS member
of the state senate he served as chairman
on the committee on finance, and also up
on the committees on military affairs and
on railroads, bringing to each of these po-
sitions accurate information which was
greatly needed.
In 1886 Col Fuller was elected to the
Office of lieutenant governor, and filled
that position with great credit to himself
and honor to the state, proving himself
one of the most capable and popular pre-
siding officers whose service the senate has
had the good fortune to enjoy.
His Term as Governor.
In the year 1892 Col. Fuller was called
by the people OF the state to occupy the
governors chair for the biennial period be-
ginning in October of that year. With his
large experience as business man and as
a citizen who had given much study to
public affairs. he entered upon the position
| especially equipped for the. successful dis
a charge of its multifarious duties. 1t is not
r within the limits of this sketch to enter
r upon an exhaustive resume of the admin
istration of Gov. Fuller, but it is fact
cheerfully recognized by all that it was
marked throughout by devotion to public
interest too seldom found in the occupancy
of such an Office. While large business in
terests of right claimed his attention, in
no case were they allowed to conflict with
what he esteemed to be not only his duty
but his opportunity to serve his state. His
early training in mechanical pursuits led
him to be an especially wise counsellor in
matters pertaining to the erection and re-
organization of some of the more promi-
nent state institutions, notably the asylum
for the insane at Waterbury, and the house
of correction at Rutland, and to both of
these institutions he gave largely of his
time and oversight.
His Investigations of the working of the
prohibitory law, while subjecting him to
adverse criticism from some quarters, eu-
abled him to arrive at a concensus of opin-