Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1888 — BIOGRAPHICAL. [ARTICLE]

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Brief Sketch of the New Chief Justice of tho United States. Melville W. Fuller was born in Augusta, Me., Fob, 11, 1833. His parents were Frederick A, Fuller, son of the Hon. Henry W. Fuller, of Augusta, and Catharine Weston, daughter of Chief Justice Nathan Weston. The history of the family iu Now England dates back to the Mayflower. Mr. Fuller received his education in Augusta, and graduated at Bowdoin College du the class of 1853. He began the study of law in the office of his uncle, George Melville Weston at Bangor, and afterward attended lectures in the law department of Harvard University. In 1856 he began the practice of law in Augusta, and also acted as one of the editors of the Age newspaper. He was elected a member of the Common Council of Augusta, became President, and was also the City Solicitor. Be did not remain in Augusta more than two years, but camo West, and located in Chicago, and has for thirty years enjoyed a large and lucrative law practice in that city. Mr. Fuller’s practice has won for him the ■name of a learned lawyer and a faithful counselor. Politically Mr. Fuller has always been known as a Jeffersonian Democrat. During all his career he has taken the keenest interest in polities, but has persistently declined to allow the use of his name as a candidate for any office. In 1851 he was chosen a member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention. In 1862 he was elected to the l egislature as a Democrat from a strong Republican district. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1864, 18/2, 1876, and 1880. As an orator Mr. Fuller's diction is polished and elegant. He was chosen to deliver the address of welcome to Stephen A. Douglas in 1830, and has made many other public addresses. Mr. Fuller hes been married twice. His first wile was Calista O. Reynolds, whom he married in 1858, and after her decease he married Ellen, daughter of the late distinguished banker, William F. Coolbaugh. His family consists of eight daughters.