St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-08-19
RECENT DEATHS.



Fuller at Saranac Lake, Aug. IA. Few
men have left so strong and permanent
a mark on this community as Dr. Fuller
did during the eleven years he spent here
He came first from Andover Seminary IN
the spring of 1869. to complete an I'M
finished school year. The impression
that he made during that briet stay was
so pronounced that in August, 1870, ne
was urgently invited to take the prlnci-
palship of the Academy. This call after
due elaboration he accepted, and took
the school in the spring of 1871, at
time when the pupils of the term preced-
ing had numbered only 80. On the open
ing of the school year that fall the at
tendance was 40; during his last year
here the enrolment was 1888.
1t was their confidence in Mr.. Fuller's
Judgment and ability that led the trus-
tees to lay out plans for new order OF
things. He was young but mature as
well as progressive. He wanted large
things and he got them. Under his lead
ership South Hall and the present Acad-
envy building were erected, new equip
ments were added, the scope OF the
school was broadened, outside patron
age was gained, and an endowment,
considered ample at that time, was
raised. Into this, as into all his lie
work, Mr.. Fuller threw himself with UNI
sparing energy and persistence; with
large drain no doubt on his reserves Of
vitality, but with the satisfaction of see
ing the realization of his aims and ideals.
In 1882 he was called to take charge
of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
This call he accepted, and after some
months given to inspection of similar in
situations in Europe he took up his new
responsibilities with characteristic en-
thusiasm and force. Twelve years later
he was appointed President of Drury
College, Springfield, Mo, which position
he held for eleven years. He gained the
confidence of men and secured for the col
lege large gifts including Pearson's Hall,
the finest building on the campus, and
other equipments. He was highly es-
teemed as a citizen, and it was largely
through his efforts as president of the
board that the fine Carnegie library was
established in the city of Springfield.
In 1905 DR.. Fuller retired from the
presidency of Drury: his health was
broken, his public work was done. But
his activity of mind gave him no rest;
his solicitude for the institutions he had
served was continuous, he had watch
full interest to the last in all that was GO
ing on for the betterment of the world.
The winters he spent in the South, sum-
mers in the attractive family home of
Mrs. Fuller. Fredonia, N. Y. While seek
ing for time the purer air of the Adlron-
dacks, he passed quietly on to the wider
field of service for which his life among
us had been fitting him.
Homer Taylor Fuller was born in
Lemster. N. H.. Nov. Is, 1888, "un-
doubtedly the most distinguished son Of
Lemster in educational work" He was
a direct descendant OF DR.. Samuel Fuller
of the Mayfower company, and his
Puritan ancestry and traditions he held
,,r;Calace hav,tana La H,1-
ated from Dartmouth at the head of his
class, in 1864, and for three years was
Principal of the Fredonia Academy, N.
Y. 1t was a Fredonia lady, later known
to US as Mrs. Eta Jones Fuller whose
refinement, gentle force of character and
disinterested friendliness, became so in
valuable a help and inspiration in his
work and among his associates.
He took his course for the ministry in
Andover and in Union Seminary, New
York. From Oct. 80 to June II he was
pastor of the Congregational church in
Peshtigo, Wisconsin, securing in that
brief time the much needed church build
ing which he helped to dedicate. From
that place he came to ST. Johnsbury in
the spring of 1871. AS years passed he
received the honorary degrees of Ph.D.,
from Dartmouth, 80; of DID,. from Iowa
College, '98; of LID, from Drury, 05.
He was Fellow of the American Asso-
citation for the Advancement of Science
a charter member and fellow of the Geo
logical Society of America, corporate
member of the American Board He
travelled widely in this country and
abroad, had very extensive acguain-
tance with business and professional
men, and was the author of various
monographs on education and scientific
subjects. His tastes were scholarly, he
was always investigating something,
and retentive memory enabled him to
fringe the most ordinary conversation
with interesting facts or figures or illus
trations.
We shall always remember DR.. Fuller
as a Christian gentleman. His bearing
was dignifed and gracious. Something
Of the urbanity of former generations
seemed to be surviving in him. His
courtesy was unfailing and admitted no
discrimination. He had selfrespect and
respect and considerateness for other
people He took pains to keep high and
true ideals before his pupils all the time.
In the school and church and community,
as in the happy circle of his home, he was
sure to be making himself of use taking
responsibility, ready with generous help
for anything that would promote the
best good of all.
OF the family, Mrs. Fuller resides with
her sister in Fredonia; Henry Jones Full
Il. 4 l.
house at Montreal; Mary Breeze Fuller
&c ncAr,,n+nr L., S.,,.Al, Cn1ln.ro. AI..-