Carroll County ArArchives Biographies.....Fuller, Claude A. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 21, 2009, 9:23 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) CLAUDE A. FULLER. Claude A. Fuller needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for his long connection with the professional and business circles of Eureka Springs and north Arkansas has made him well known and his efforts have ever been of a character which have contributed to public progress and prosperity, as well as to individual success. Illinois claims Mr. Fuller as her native son, for his birth occurred in Whiteside county, on the 20th of January, 1876, a son of W. P. and Maria L. (Ocoback) Fuller. The paternal grandfather, Levi Fuller, was a native of New York state and removed to Illinois at an early age. He became one of the prominent stockmen of that state and remained there until the town of Eureka Springs was started. Soon afterward he came here and was recognized as one of the town's most representative and enterprising citizens. The maternal grandfather, Albert Ocoback, was likewise born in New York state, and he also made his home in Illinois for several years. Later, however, he removed to Kansas, and was residing in that state at the time of his demise. William P. Fuller was born in Illinois and for many years followed farming and the carpenter's trade there. In 1881 he moved to Kansas, and in 1887 came to Eureka Springs, and he is still following that line of work, achieving substantial success. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were married in 1868, the ceremony being performed in Illinois. The death of Mrs. Fuller occurred in 1904 at Eureka Springs. She leaves, besides her husband, three children to mourn her death: Mrs. Maude Parkhill of Eureka Springs; Claude A., whose name initiates this review; and Harvey H., a traveling salesman for a large concern with headquarters in Eureka Springs. The family was reared in the faith of the Baptist church. Claude A. Fuller was but eleven years of age when he came with his parents to Eureka Springs and for some time attended the public schools here. At an early age he had determined upon the practice of law as his life work, and in 1896 he entered a night school in Chicago for the study of the profession. He secured office work during the day in order to pay for his schooling, and he later studied at home under the direction of C. G. White. In February, 1898, he was admitted to the bar, and beginning practice immediately, he has continued an active member of the profession since. He has been admitted to practice in all the courts of this county and he is one of the best known and most reliable lawyers in northern Arkansas. Mr. Fuller has learned his lessons in the hard school of experience, for his start in the business world was made as a bootblack and he worked on railroad sections and did all kinds of work in order to make enough money to enable him to begin the study of law. He is a self-made man and as such he is appreciated by his many friends throughout the state. Mr. Fuller has not only become prominent in professional circles and farming, but he is intensely interested in political affairs and has always been a stanch supporter of the democratic party. He had the honor of being city clerk of Eureka Springs, in which office he served from the years 1898 to 1902. inclusive, and he was elected to represent his fellowmen in the state legislature in 1903, serving in that office until 1905. In 1906 he became mayor of Eureka Springs, and the four years of bis administration were marked by progress and prosperity. At the termination of that office he became prosecuting attorney and he was active in that position until 1914. He ran for congress in 1914, but was defeated by a few votes. A keen business man, Mr. Fuller has invested heavily in real estate and be owns valuable farm lands, which be oversees and from which be receives a substantial income. Returning to his political career, Mr. Fuller has attended several national conventions as a delegate and he was on the national platform committee at the convention in San Francisco. His popularity and prominence in the state won him the position of manager for the campaign of Governor Brough, and he was an important factor in making the election a success for his party. On the 25th of December, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fuller to Miss May Obenchain, a native of Fayetteville and a daughter of J. B. and May Obenchain. Her father settled in Fayetteville at an early age and followed the trade of wagon making, achieving substantial success in that connection. He later became master mechanic with the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad. During the Civil war Mr. Obenchain served in the Confederate army for tour years and participated in many of the most important battles of the conflict. His death occurred in 1899. His widow is still living, now making her home in Eureka Springs. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fuller two children have been born: Ruth M., twelve years of age; and Dorothy, aged eleven years. The family is affiliated with the Baptist church, and they are generous contributors to its support. Fraternally Mr. Fuller is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and for three terms he served as Exalted Ruler of that organization. Since its organization he has been a trustee in the same lodge. His other fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Pythias. The success that Mr. Fuller has attained is the result of a full-faithed attempt each day to know more and to grow more. His is the record of a strenuous life—the record of strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action. There is no success in life without effort, and Longfellow says: "The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, without a thought of fame." Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/carroll/bios/fuller307bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb