Windham

FULLER, Levi K.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 148-150

Levi K. FULLER, of Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], was born 24 
February 1841 in Westmoreland [Cheshire County], New Hampshire, son of 
Washington and Lucinda (CONSTANTINE) FULLER. His parents were of English and 
German stock, and his ancestors on both sides served in the Revolutionary 
War. He removed to Windham County in 1845 with his parents, and began his 
active career at the age of thirteen by learning telegraphy and also the art 
of printing. At sixteen, having developed an aptitude for mechanics, he won 
a premium for a steam engine improvement at the Windham County Agricultural 
Society's fair. Going to Boston, he served an apprenticeship as a machinist, 
acting for a time as night telegraph operator at the Merchants' Exchange. 
During a great portion of his residence in Boston he also took a scientific 
course at the evening schools. Returning to Brattleboro in 1860, he entered 
the Estey works as machinist and mechanical engineer and later established 
a shop of his own, where he manufactured woodworking and other machinery with 
success.

In April 1866 he entered with Col. J. J. ESTEY the firm of J. Estey & Company 
(now the Estey Organ Company), superintending the manufacturing department, 
and for twenty years has been vice president of the company. [See ESTEY in 
Vermont biographies.] He has been a most indefatigable inventor, his name 
appearing in the Patent Office at Washington [D. C.] as the author of a 
hundred different inventions, many of great value. His success in aiding in 
establishing large European agencies for the company, and his many trips 
abroad in its interest, have won for him recognition on both sides of the 
Atlantic as a liberal and intelligent man of business. On his trip in 1873 
he was tendered by President GRANT the appointment of commissioner to the 
Vienna Exposition, which he was obliged to decline on account of the press of 
private business. The musical trade of two continents acknowledge his 
success as a factor in elevating the great corporation to its present high 
position. His last achievement in securing the adoption of what is termed in 
the musical world "international pitch" for musical instruments, now 
officially adopted by all manufacturers in this country, has been termed by 
Mr. STEINWAY "one of the most important, perhaps the most important, in the 
annals of musical history."

He is an active member of the American Society for the Advancement of 
Science, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is also 
interested in astronomy, has an observatory of his own attached to his 
private residence and the finest equatorial telescope in Vermont. His 
library also of scientific and technical works is one of the most complete in 
the state. Organizing the Fuller Light Battery, Vermont National Guard, as 
an independent company in 1874, he has continuously served therewith since, 
bringing it to a degree of perfection universally commended by all regular 
army inspectors as second to no military organization in the country, adding 
greatly to the reputation of the Vermont militia. He was brevetted colonel 
in 1887 for long and meritorious service. He also served as aid on the staff 
of Governor CONVERSE.

Mr. FULLER's private business, however, has not prevented him from 
participating actively in public affairs, both local and state. He has held 
important town and village offices; is a trustee of the Brattleboro Savings 
Bank and the Brattleboro Free Library; in 1880 was elected to the state 
Senate, taking an active part in the important legislation of that session, 
including what was then known as the "new tax law," a measure tending to 
equalize the burden of taxation and most satisfactory to the people; as a 
member of the Senate served as chairman of the committee on finance, upon the 
committee on military affairs, and that on railroads; and in 1886 was elected 
lieutenant governor, filling that position with credit to himself and honor 
to the state, proving himself one of the best presiding officers whose 
services the Senate has had the good fortune to enjoy.

Early in life he became connected with the Baptist denomination, and has 
always had an active interest in the success of the church of his choice. 
His gifts, however, have never been confined to that faith, but his 
liberality to all denominations is proverbial. His interest in educational 
matters is well known, one of the most important evidences of which is the 
Vermont Academy at Saxton's River [Windham County], to which he has largely 
given both his time and money, and this institution, under his management as 
president of the board of trustees, has taken a high rank throughout New 
England.

He has always been specially interested in agriculture and the development of 
that branch of Vermont's industries. His purchase of a farm and the 
presentation of the same to the Vermont Academy, his introduction of finely 
bred sheep and other stock, and the inauguration of new features in 
connection with the practical farm educational work, has attracted wide 
attention in the community. Governor FULLER's fitness for the position of 
chief magistrate of his state has long since been recognized, and in 1892 he 
was elected governor of Vermont. On 08 May 1865 Mr. [Levi K.] FULLER was 
married to Abby, daughter of Hon. Jacob and Desdemona (WOOD) ESTEY [related 
to individuals connected with the Estey Organ Company.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly