Philo Fuller's Biography, Carlton Township, Barry County, Michigan

Copyright © 1998 by Debra Eddy. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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PHILO FULLER
Portrait and Biographical Album; History of Eaton and Barry Counties,
Michigan, 1885," published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, 1891, pgs 559-560

PHILO FULLER, who is engaged in farming on section 20, Carlton Township,
Barry County, is a native of New York.  He was born in Carlton Township,
Orleans County, January 28, 1841, and is a son of Harmon Fuller, a
native of Connecticut who served in the War of 1812.  He spent his
entire life in the East but after his death his remains were brought to
Michigan and here interred.  In the family were twelve children, our
subject being the ninth in order of birth, and Edwin and Joseph were
numbered among the boys in blue of the late war.  Philo remained at home
until 1861 when, prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to the
country's call for troops and became a member of Company F, Third New
York Cavalry, which was ordered to Maryland where the troops remained
during the winter.  In the spring they were sent to Virginia under Gen.
Banks, crossing at Harper's Ferry,w here they were held in reserve while
Banks raided Winchester.  Next they were ordered back to Washington,
D.C., where they spent two weeks, following which they went to Newbern,
NC.  The year the Third Regiment spent in that place the troops were
engaged in picket duty and skirmishing, after which they were ordered to
Fortress Monroe, VA, and went in to winter quarters.  The following
spring they returned to Newbern, where Company F remained until
receiving its discharge in 1864, on the expiration of its term of
enlistment.  Mr. Fuller took part in several skirmishes and in Hyde
County, NC, in 1863, was hit in the wrist by a ball which bent the
handle of his revolver out of shape and then killed the horse on which
he was riding.  Two shots also penetrated his right arm but the wounds
were not serious and on the 31st of May he was honorably discharged and
returned to his home.

The year 1865 witnessed the arrival of our subject in Barry County,
Mich.  He immediately purchased land--his present farm--and after
building a log cabin began clearing it.  Not a furrow had been turned or
an improvement made and the present fine condition in which it is today,
is all the result of the owner's labors.  After clearing the land it was
his next duty to provide a more comfortable home for himself and family
than their pioneer cabin, and he erected the pleasant and commodious
two-story frame residence at a cost of $2,000.  It is tastefully
furnished from basement to attic with rich yet neat furniture of the
latest design and is supplied with all the little accessories which make
life worth the living and indicate the presence of cultured people.  A
large basement barn was also built, 32 x 46 feet with eighteen feet
posts, which is sufficiently large to accommodate all his stock with
shelter during the inclement winter weather.  A young orchard is just
beginning to bear fruit and with the exception of five acres of timber
land the entire farm is under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Fuller was united in marriage with Miss Elsie Morgan, daughter of
William Morgan, on the 7th of April, 1866, by the Rev. Mr. Tapley, a
Methodist minister.  Unto them have been born three children--Wilbur H.,
who married Stella Sherman and resides on the old home farm; Myrtie B.
and Roy C., are at home with their parents.  This family has been
identified with the history of Barry County for more than a quarter of a
century and our subject is one of its valued citizens.


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