Orleans

FULLER, Jonathan Kingsley

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 150-151 
(portrait p 150)

Jonathan Kingsley FULLER, of Barton Landing [Orleans County, Vermont; "Barton 
Landing" renamed "Orleans" in 1909], was born 13 May 1848 in Montgomery 
[Franklin County, Vermont], son of Samuel Freeman and Elizabeth (KINGSLEY) 
FULLER. Mr. FULLER [the subject] attended the common, select, and private 
schools of his native town until twenty-one years of age. His parents being 
limited in their circumstances, and young FULLER being somewhat delicate in 
health, he had to forego the great desire of his heart, a classical 
education. In 1870 he entered the law office of John S. TUPPER. Here he 
gave himself earnestly to the study of law, and having access not only to a 
large law library, but also to a fine collection of theological and 
historical works, his reading covered a wide field. During this time also, 
while teaching school, he felt moved to enter upon the work of the ministry.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member, urged him to take a 
license to preach, and forsaking the legal profession, he began the course of 
study prescribed by the church. This was continued for four years, and 
ordination followed at St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, Vermont], 23 April 
1873. He was stationed at Eden [Lamoille County, Vermont] in 1872-1873, at 
Richford [Franklin County, Vermont] in 1874-1876. At the close of a very 
successful pastorate in this thriving center, he handed his resignation to 
the Vermont Conference. Uniting with the Congregational church at East 
Berkshire [Franklin County, Vermont], he immediately received a hearty call 
to the parish of that denomination in Bakersfield [Franklin County]. Free to 
control and direct is own labors his congregations increased, while a steady 
demand was made for his sermons and other writings upon the popular questions 
of the day. Six of the twelve years of his pastorate he was superintendent 
of schools, aiding in the establishment of Brigham Academy. As a testimony 
of appreciation of such service, he was, on 15 December 1885, made a life 
member of the General Theological Library of Boston.

While at Bakersfield Mr. FULLER devoted a little time to farming, in which 
pursuit he was highly successful. He was a frequent lecturer before the 
State Board of Agriculture. Politically Mr. FULLER is an independent 
Republican. He has written and lectured often on such themes as "Civil 
Service Reform," "Political Methods," "Political Reform," "Religious and 
Political Liberty," "Moral Training in Our Schools," and "Opportunity; or the 
Uses and Abuses of Wealth." In 1883 Mr. FULLER was made honorary member of 
the A. B. C. F. M. [American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions]; in 
1885 was instrumental in organizing a Congregational church at East Fairfield 
[Franklin County]; and in 1888 became an original member of the 
Congregational Club of Western Vermont. In 1889 he severed his connection 
with the church at Bakersfield, and of the several calls which he received, 
accepted the one from Barton Landing, which office he now holds; he is also 
one of the directors of the Orleans County Summer School. In 1892 he was 
constituted a member of the Orleans County Historical Society. Also in 1892 
he was sent from the state convention of Congregational churches as delegate 
to the Free Will Baptist yearly meeting; and in 1892 was unanimously chosen 
chairman of the board of school directors for the town of Barton [different 
from "Barton Landing," but also in Orleans County, Vermont]. On 16 September 
1875 Mr. [Jonathan Kingsley] FULLER was married to [Miss?] Gertrude Florence 
SMITH of Richford [Franklin County, Vermont]; of this union there have been 
born [four sons]: John Harold, Hawley Leigh, Raymond Garfield, and Robert 
Samuel.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly