Russel A. Fuller

PORTER, PEABODY, ROLLO, HATFIELD, COOK

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/20/2004 at 10:58:48

~ RUSSEL A FULLER ~

Russel A. Fuller is numbered among the old settlers of Jackson County, and has for many years borne an honorable part in developing its resources, and making it one of the finest and most prosperous agricultural regions in the country. Richland Township, of which he was a pioneer, possesses in him one of its most valued citizens and able civic officers, and here he is engaged in farming and stock raising on his farm, which in point of cultivation and improvement, is considered one of the best in the county.

Mr. Fuller comes of sterling New York ancestry, and of good Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, the Rev. Samuel Fuller, a noted Baptist divine of his time, was born in Oneida County, N.Y., and when a young man he took part in the Revolution. He settled in his native county afterward, while it was still in the hands of the pioneers, and besides attending to his duties as a preacher engaged in farming. His son, David S., father of our subject, was born in Steuben Township, Oneida County, and when a young man went to Wallcottville, Conn., to learn the trade of a fuller, at which he was afterward employed near Albany, N.Y. He subsequently worked at farming in his native county, continuing thus engaged till 1859, when he came to Iowa to make his home with our subject, and died here at the age of eighty-two years. He was a man of invincible will and strong opinions, and in his views of religion was a decided infidel. Politically, he was a firm adherent of the Republican party. The maiden name of his wife was Maria Porter, and she was born in Connecticut, and died in her native State. Five children were the fruit of their marriage - Louisa, Russel A., Anna L., Sylvia and Mary, all of whom are dead excepting our subject.

Our subject was born in Preston Hollow, near Albany, N.Y., on the banks of the beautiful Hudson, Dec. 19, 1828. When he was six years old he was taken from there to Oneida County, where he was reared on a farm to the life of a farmer, receiving the educational advantages of the day. When twenty-one he entered upon the teacher's profession, and followed it winters for some time. At the age of twenty-four he went to Connecticut, where he engaged in a buckle factory at Waterbury, continuing there about two years. After that he returned to Oneida County, and from there came West, in the fall of 1854, to seek a home on the virgin soil of the broad prairies of this State, coming by rail as far as Freeport, and thence by stage to Dubuque. He was engaged in teaching school in that city two winters, and in summer vacations worked on a farm. In 1856 he came to Jackson County, and located here permanently, buying a quarter-section of land lying on Farmers' Creek in Richland Township, and it being in a wild state, his was the hard task to grub and break the prairie soil and make all the improvements. In those pioneer times he had a hard time of it owing to sickness and other misfortunes, but he rose superior to all trials and labored cheerfully in the up-building of a home for himself and family, having the cooperation and encouragement of a good wife and true helpmate.

The place possessed much historical interest on account of the traces of its having been frequented by the Indians, and there was a tree there, around which they had gathered in their sports, or trials of skill in throwing the tomahawk, as shown by the marks on it, and the large splinters hewn off, Mrs. Fuller having some of the pieces in her possession that were unearthed in the dooryard, having been buried to the depth of about a foot in the lapse of time since the red men roamed at will over these prairies. There was also a small cave there which is supposed to have been the rendezvous of horse-thieves in early days.

In 1882 Mr. Fuller sold that farm, and buying a residence in Cottonville, removed there and engaged in farming for two years on forty acres of land that he had bought adjacent to the town. In 1884 he bought eighty acres of land joining that, and taking possession of it has since lived here. He has sold two acres, and now has a good farm of 118 acres, 105 under plow, fenced, and provided with an excellent set of buildings admirably adapted to their various purposes, including a neat and tasty dwelling, 16 x 24 feet, with additions, a commodious barn, etc. There are pretty groves and an orchard on the place, a good well with windmill and tank, and all the conveniences of a model farm. The farm is well stocked with graded Short-horn cattle; draft and fast horses of fine grades, two teams being used on the farm, and red Jersey Poland hogs. Our subject also engages in the dairy business and in bee culture, finding both very profitable.

Nov. 8, 1854, the marriage of Mr. Fuller and Miss Maria Peabody was consummated. She is, like himself, a native of New York, born in Utica, Oneida County, and was given the advantages of a good education. Her father, Thomas J. Peabody, was born in Oneida County, and was of Holland antecedents. He was engaged as a carpenter and a farmer in his native county, and there he died. His wife was Philomela Rollo, also a native of New York. Grandfather Rollo was one of the Holland Company, and for eighteen years was a Supervisor in Oneida County, N.Y. The following is recorded of the ten children born of the happy wedded life of our subject and his wife: Helen married George Hatfield, a fruit-grower in Anaheim, Los Angeles Co., Cal.; Charles is managing the Thurston Creamery in La Motte; William is farming in Richland Township; Fred is also farming here; Jessie married George Cook, who is farming on the home farm; Ava is at home with her parents; Clara, May, Jay an infant unnamed are deceased.

Mr. Fuller is a man of sound understanding, is well dowered with firmness and decision of character, and his dealings with his fellowmen are always in strict accordance with the laws of justice and honor. In his religious beliefs he is inclined to the Baptist faith, of which his grandsire was such an able exponent, and he has served as Superintendent of the Baptist Sunday-school in Cottonville. He is influential in public affairs, and has held various important local office. He has been School Director for years, and Supervisor of Roads, and is at present Notary Public at Cottonville, having been appointed to that office seven years ago. His fellow-citizens have sought to make him Township Trustee, but he refused the honor. He upholds the principles of the Republican party, is one of its stanchest followers, and has represented his district in the county convention as delegate. He has served on the petit jury. Mrs. Fuller is a very intelligent lady, a great reader, and an interesting conversationalist. She cordially seconds her husband in his hospitality to friends and strangers, and their home is an attractive spot.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)