Biography of William FULLER, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: People from the Histories 1882 History WIILIAM FULLER Some men pass half their lives in determining for what nature fitted them. In the light of William Fuller's success as an attorney coupled with the fact that his admission to the bar was after he had attained his forty-fourth year we opine that he belongs to this class. William FULLER was born February 19th, 1823, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Daniel and Nancy Fuller, were of the good old Pennsylvania stock of farmers from whom have sprung so many of the energetic men of today. His father coupled with his farming operations the vocation of blacksmith, in which he excelled. It devolved upon him to manufacture sickles, seythes and fine work generally. His parents were of Irish birth. His father a native of the city of Dublin. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania,from whence he was taken at the age of three years to Fayette county. William FULLER was the oldest of a family of eight boys, of whom all but one are now living. He received a fair common-school education. His aptness to learn secured for him the position of teacher in his native county when still a youth. He had the honor of teaching the first free school ever opened inhis own district. In November 1848 he came to De Witt county where he taught for four winters, varying these duties by farming during the summer. He had in his possession a few law books which he most industriously studied, and which laid broad and deep his knowledge of the general law and determined him largely in his choice of a profession. These were yet primitive times in DeWitt, and so he found himself chosen as the advocate of many clients in the lower courts, where he gained a fine local reputation as a pettifogger. Pedagogics was his business, but old farmers as they witnessed his pleadings declared pettifogging his real forte. At one time he enjoyed the largest practice of this character, vested in any one individual in the county. In 1854 be was elected sheriff of the county, an office he filled to entire satisfaction. Had been elected prior to this time as a Justice of the Peace, which he only held for the brief term of three months, preferring to appear as an advocate to sitting in judgment on cases brought before such a court. In 1867 he was, after an examination, admitted to the bar as an Attorney, since which time he has continually and success- fully practiced. In politics he is a Democrat of the strictest order, outspoken, bold and defiant. Has taken a hand in every campaign since he was a boy. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca PARKER, in Madison county, Ohio, February 23d, 1846. By this union there are six children living four boys and two girls. Mr. Fuller is a man of courage, enter- prise and strict integrity of character. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin