Biographical Sketch of

Caleb F. Fuller

Transcribed by Lottie Bardoel for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 582 - 583

CALEB F. FULLER, the present Posmaster of Westfield, and one of its 
most respected citizens, was born in Smithfield, R.I., Feb. 2, 1829. 
And is the son of Caleb Fuller, born in Attleboro, Mass. The latter 
is a direct descendant of the Rev. Thomas Fuller, whose sons were among 
the earliest settlers of New England, belonging to the old Puritan 
Families. From him descended many men and women of note.

Caleb Fuller, father of our subject, removed with his parents to Rhode 
Island when a child, and in that State engaged in manufacturing for 
many years. At the time of his death, which occurred Oct. 28, 1847, he 
was superintendent of a cotton factory. He married Miss Leafy Handy, 
daughter of Philip Handy, a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, who 
was one of the early settlers of Rhode Island, and for many years 
engaged in the manufacture of scythes in that State. He was of English 
ancestry. By the marriage above mentioned there were born six children 
who grew to mature years. Caleb F. being the eldest of that number; 
Albert G., the second, is engaged in the livery business in Westfield; 
Alpha A. is the wife of Alonzo Fuller, of Chicago; William P. is living 
in Westfield; Charles W. enlisted in Company E. of the 7th Regiment 
Wisconsin Infantry, was captured while on picket duty and confined in 
the Andersonville prison, where he died; Joshua P. served in the 37th 
Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, and fell in the charge upon the rebel 
works immediately succeeding the mine explosion in front of Petersburg. 
William also served in Company F, of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry.

The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood in his native state, 
and in his youth he began learning the manufacture of cotton goods, 
becoming familiar with that business in all its departments. He there 
learned the habits and methods of business life and probably laid the 
foundations for his future success. He first visited Wisconsin during 
its territorial days in 1846, when he was but sixteen years of age. 
Milwaukee was then but a small village, and many parts of the State 
were inhabited only by the red men. He remained for a short time in 
Washington County, but soon afterward returned to Rhode Island, where 
he continued to reside until 1855, which year witnessed his return to 
Wisconsin. He settled in the town of Newton, Marquette County, and 
turned his attention to farming. Which he followed for three years, but 
in 1859 he met with an accident which forced him to abandon that 
occupation. In the month of August he was engaged in threshing in 
Washington County, and by some mishap had his right foot so severely 
injured that it had to be amputated. When no longer fitted for 
agricultural pursuits, he looked about him for some other means of 
livelihood and became a candidate for the office of Clerk of the Board 
of Supervisors, to which he was elected. He removed to Montello and 
continued to discharge the duties of that position for four years, when 
in 1863, in the company with A.P. Lipe, then County Treasurer of 
Marquette county, he erected a woolen factory in Harrisville. His 
early training in Rhode Island now proved of great benefit to him, 
and from 1865 until 1874, he was successfully engaged in the manufacture 
of woolen cloth in Harrisville. He has the honor of having made the first 
cloth in Marquette County on a power loom. Mr. Fuller's residence in 
Westfield dates from 1874, and he has held the office of Postmaster 
since 1881. He proved a faithful and competent official, and is quite 
popular with the citizens of Westfield and Marquette County where he 
is so widely known. He was reared in the Democratic school of politics, 
but united with the Republican party on its orginization, and has ever 
since been found in its ranks. Mr. Fuller is an intelligent and 
enterprising citizen who possesses much general information obtained 
both by observation and reading, and takes commendable interest in the 
educational moral growth of the community. He has ever given his support 
to all worthy enterprises and as a representative citizen we take great 
pleasure in presenting him to the readers of this ALBUM.







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