BIOGRAPHIES:  Ira FULLER, Pepin, Pepin Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Pepin Co. Archives File Manager on 19 November 2004
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**Posted for informational purposes only - submitter is not related to the
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Ira Fuller, Sr., machinist, Pepin, was born in Jefferson, Ind.,
October 8, 1812.  His parents, Salmon and Candace (Austin) Fuller, were
natives of Rochester, N. Y.  Salmon Fuller's grandfather was a
Scotchman.  He (Salmon) was a mill-wright by trade, and also
superintended the building of the Welland canal.  He was the father of
thirteen children:  John, Aaron, Sarah (Mrs. D. Fayerweather), Salmon,
Hiram, Joseph, William, Ira (subject of this sketch), Jackson, Lucinda
(Mrs. S. Fiddler), Harriet (Mrs. William Guthrie), Almira and Melinda,
five of whom now live in Pepin.  Ira Fuller received a good common-
school education, and at seventeen years of age began to learn his
father's trade, which he followed for many years.  While yet a boy he
worked with his father in Upper Canada, and at twenty-two engaged in
business for himself.  He was married July 16, 1835, to Miss Esther,
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Showers) Brosins, of Jefferson county, Pa.,
where Mrs. Fuller was born November 18, 1817.  Eleven children blessed
this union, of whom seven are still living:  Hiram, Paulina (Mrs. H.
Armstrong), Candace (Mrs. S. Edwards), Alfred, Abram, Mary A. (Mrs. J.
S. Howard), Harriet L., Emeline (Mrs. G. D. Brosins), Myra A. (Mrs. H.
Potter), Esther E and Orrin G.  Mr. Fuller lived in Jefferson county,
working at his trade and in a saw-mill until 1845, when he removed to
Geauga county, Ohio, where he built engine shops and also carried on
his trade quite extensively.  In 1863 he removed to Pepin, and
introduced the first steam thresher in northern Wisconsin, also at
Plainview, Minn., in 1865.  It was a great curiosity in those days, and
he is known far and near as "the pioneer thresher," which business she
still follows in its season.  About ten years ago he retired from
active business at his trade, but still labors regularly in his shop. 
Being a natural mechanic and machinist, he has always been able to do
any work that came in his way.  Since coming to Pepin he has repaired a
number of steamboat engines, but now devotes the most of his time to
cabinet work.  He has made several violins and other musical
instruments.  Mr. Fuller takes but little interest in politics.  He was
for many years a member of the Methodist church and still holds that
faith.  His industrious habits, his skillful handiwork, and his
integrity of character, alike command the respect of a large circle of
acquaintances.

-Transcribed from the "Historical & Biographical Album of the Chippewa
Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," page 738.


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