Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Fuller, Owen Hiram January 19, 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 7:53 am Author: History of Grundy County 1914 Fuller, Owen Hiram – Gone are the days when pioneer conditions prevailed, and yet they are not so far distant that they are not remembered by those still living who participated in their incidents. One of those justly numbered among the pioneers of Grundy County is Owen Hiram Fuller, who delights to dwell upon many features of the early days, while now living in ease and comfort at Mazon, after years spent in useful and successful endeavor as a farmer. He was born in New York State, January 19, 1834, a son of Hiram and May Ann (Owen) Fuller, natives of Connecticut and New York State, respectively. After her death in 1845 in Mazon Township, the father married Eliza Bowers, who died in 1860. He was a farmer in the latter State and during his declining years operated a grocery store. His death occurred at Old Mazon, at the home of his son, in 1872. In 1839 the Fuller family came to Grundy County, although at that time it was included in the large territory known as La Salle County. It then comprised the parents, Hiram and Mary Ann Fuller, and Owen Hiram, his elder sister, Elizabeth, and younger brother, Velasco L., who died in 1873. The parents purchased land in Mazon Township, and for a long time alternated fighting wolves with combating ague, the scourge of the pioneers in this community. On July 30, 1853, Owen Hiram Fuller, married Wealtha Isham, born October 23, 1836, then only seventeen years old, for the pioneers married early. She was a daughter of Gursham and Eliza A. (Sanford) Isham. Eight children were born of this marriage: Mary, Lorrie E., and Vestie, all of whom are deceased; Olney, who lives at Joliet, married Josie Wright and they have three children, Earl, Ray and Rose; Altie, who married O. S. Viner, and they have two children, Flossie and Wayne, and three deceased, Mary, Clifford and Fred; R. Dale, who lives at Centralia, Ill., married Lulu Kelfner, and they have three children, Ethel, Hazel and Eulalia; Olin, who is deceased; and Erien, who is a physician of Gardner, Ill., married Cora Schrefler, and they have two children, Olin and Hiram. In 1860, Mr. Fuller opened a wagon shop at Old Mazon, which he conducted until 1875. Selling his business after fifteen years’ operation of it, Mr. Fuller came to Mazon and engaged in a grain and lumber business in partnership with O. A. Murray, until 1895, when he again sold, and has been living retired ever since. Casting his first vote for James Buchanan, he has continued in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has not only been a notary public, but for a quarter of a century has been a justice of the peace at Mazon. For three terms he served as Mayor of Mazon, and has been on the school board for many years. The Congregational Church holds his membership, and benefits from his liberality. Mr. Fuller has seen many changes take place, among them the wage increase. For instance, his first work for outsiders was done in 1845, when he drove an ox team to break the tough prairie sod. For this back-breaking work, he received fifty cents a day, and was very glad to get it, for money was scarce. Comparison may be made for any kind of labor today. While his educational training was confined to the pioneer schools, Mr. Fuller has added to his store of information by observation, and is a very well informed men, one whose opinion is asked and taken upon many occasions. Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. Publishers; 1914, p812-3 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/fuller202nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb