JOHN FULLER

John Fuller gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. January 1, 1809 in Canada
D. October 17, 1876 in Fremont Township, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

According to the Lake County Independent (Libertyville IL) Friday, March 12, 1909, page 5:

“CIVIL WAR VETERAN
HAS ANSWERED CALL
William J. Fuller Died Suddenly
Friday Morning of Heart Trouble
Following Brief Illness

   On Friday, March 5, 1909, occurred the death of William J. Fuller at his home in Libertyville.  He had been ailing for nearly a week, but was not considered dangerously ill until Friday morning when he suddenly succumbed to heart trouble.  He was born Feb. 10, 1839, in Hume, Allegheny (sic) County, New York.  When eight years of age he came with his parents to Illinois locating on a farm in Fremont known as the old Fuller homestead.  There he lived until his enlistment in the Union Army.
   He was married to Miss Caroline Millard Nov. 14, 1861.  To them were born eight children two having departed this life some years ago.  He is survived by his widow, two sons and four daughters.  E. W. Fuller of Chicago, J. M. Fuller of Wauconda, Mrs. F. E. Clark, of Urbana, Mrs. L. Z. Protine, Mrs. Charles Lang, and Alice Fuller, of Libertyville, also twelve grandchildren and one sister.
   His record as a soldier in the dark days of the Rebellion is one that will be cherished by his family and his many friends.  August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 96th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  On Feb. 22, 1863, he was detailed in the 9th Ohio Battery where he served until August 1863 when he was detailed in the 18th Ohio.  There he served as cannonier at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge.  The regimental history states that he took part in every skirmish and battle in which his regiment was engaged.  This included all the movements of the Army of the Cumberland from Murfreesboro to the close of the war, June 10, 1865.  At the Battle of Nashville in Dec. 1864 we read further of the charge of the regiment upon the rebel breast works.  A dozen or more men from the 96th leaped simultaneously over the heads of the fore and rushed directly to the battery that had been playing upon the Union lines.   William Fuller because of his previous experience in batteries was first to the guns which were hot with rapid firing and smoke still issuing from the muzzles when seized.  He called to his comrades to help with the guns upon the enemy but the heavy wheels stuck so deep in the mud that they could not be moved.  As they continued in pursuit of the enemy hats and handkerchiefs were shook behind most every tree and log and the rebels were promptly invited to step out and run to the rear.
   In 1892 William Fuller came with his family to Libertyville where he has since made his home.  He was widely known not only in this vicinity but throughout the county.  He was a kind husband and particularly solicitous for the interests of his family.  When about fifty years of age he united with the Methodist Episcopal church.  He was an active member and a faithful Christian.  He seldom missed a public service of his church.  For many years he was a trustee of the church and interested himself in its business affairs.  The church had no more loyal and liberal friend than he.  His surviving comrades will miss one who so highly esteemed their fellowship in the G. A. R.  His family and friends will miss the rugged geniality of his presence.
   The funeral was held Monday at one o’clock from his late home on Newberry avenue and from the Methodist church.  The body was escorted from the residence to the church by about fifty army comrades from Wauconda, Grayslake and Waukegan.  Rev. J. R. MacGultin read the scriptures and spoke appreciatively of his long acquaintance with the deceased.  Rev. H. F. Lawler read the above memoir and preached a short sermon.  Past Commander C. A. Partridge had charge of the post services in with the veterans joined.  The body was laid to rest in the Ivanhoe cemetery.”

4. Judith Aurilla “Aurilla”(Fuller) McMillen born about 1845 in New York; married James H. McMillen (1839-1895) on February 6, 1867 in Lake County, IL, son of Allen McMillen (1810-1854) and Lydia A. McMillen (1819-1854); James was a Civil War Veteran (September 5, 1862-June 24, 1865), Private, Company B, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Judith died July 9, 1894 in Hainesville, Lake County, IL  (See section pertaining to Judith Aurilla “Aurilla” (Fuller) McMillen buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery) (See section pertaining to James H. McMillen buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

Additional Information:

According to the 1850 U.S. Census for the Town of Fremont, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“John Fuller, age 40, occupation: farmer, born in Canada; Emily Fuller, age 40, born in Vermont; Mary J. Fuller, age 16, born in New York; Jeremiah Fuller, age 13, born in New York; William J. Fuller, age 9, born in New York; Judith A. Fuller, age 6, born in New York”

According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town of Fremont, Lake County, IL with a Fremont Center post office, the household members were:

“John Fuller, age 46, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Mary Fuller, age 43, born in New York; Jeremiah Fuller, age 22, born in New York; William Fuller, age 20, born in New York; Mary Harvey, age 24, born in New York; John Harvey, age 6, born in Iowa”

According to the 1870 U.S. Census for Fremont, Lake County, IL with a post office of “23 to 28 Hainsville (sic), 28 to Deans Corner”, the household members were:

“John Fuller, age 61, occupation: farmer, born in Canada; Emily Fuller, age 59, wife, born in Vermont; John S. Harvey, age 16, born in Illinois”

According to Illinois, Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999, John’s Last Will and Testament dated October 9, 1876:

   “In the name of God, Amen. I John Fuller of the town of Fremont in the County of Lake and State of Illinois of the age of sixty-six years and being of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in the manner following that is to say:
   First I give and bequeath to my wife Emily Fuller the whole control and use of my real estate and personal property goods and chattels of what nature as kind soever during her life time, my debts to be paid out of said personal property to be accepted and received by her in lien of dower.
   Second I give and devise to my grand son John S. Harvey his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land situated and being the South quarter of West half lot one North East quarter also the East three quarters of East half lot one North East quarter and North half of West half of South East quarter of Section three Township Forty-four Range ten East, containing Eighty acres of land, also the North half of East half of East half South East quarter of south West quarter of Section three Township Forty-four Range ten East containing five acres of land together with all the hereditaments and appurtenances there unto belonging or in any wise appertaining to have and to hold the premises above described to the said John S. Harvey his heirs and assigns, forever, after the death of my wife Emily Fuller.
   Their I give and devise the residue and remainder of my personal Estate after my debts are paid to Mary Jane Fisher my daughter, to my son William J. Fuller and to my daughter Judith Aurilla McMillen to be divided equally between them shares alike, the said personal property to be divided within one year after the death of my wife Emily Fuller whom I hereby appoint sole exectrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
   In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.

John Fuller {seal}

   The above instrument consisted of two half sheets of paper was at the date hereof declared to us by John Fuller the testament therein mentioned, to be his last will and testate and at the same time acknowledged to us and each of us that he had signed and sealed the same, and we therefor at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other signed our names thereto as attesting.

      Witnesses:
      Ira J. Hoyt residing at Fremont in Lake County
     R. R. Doolittle residing at Fremont in Lake County”

(NOTE: According to the Petition of Emily Fuller: John Fuller died on October 17, 1876 in Fremont, Lake County, IL)

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, October 21, 1876, page 3:

   “We are called upon to record the death of several of the older citizens of this county this week.  Two of the earliest settlers of Fremont, Mr. John Fuller and Mr. Michael Murray, have this week passed away.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, October 21, 1876, page 3:

DIED.

FULLER. – In Fremont, Ill., Oct. 17th, 1876, Mr. John Fuller.”

According to the Illinois, Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999, Probate of Heirship. Estate of John Fuller, Deceased; filed January 22, 1903:

“State of Illinois.} SS.
Lake County.}
In the County Court January Term, 1903
Estate of John Fuller Deceased.
      Ordered by the Court that proof of Heirship is said estate be now made, and thereupon William J. Fuller being introduced as a witness, in open court testified as follows: My name is William J. Fuller; my age is 64 years; I reside in Libertyville Ills; am a son of said decedent. Said John Fuller was married once only then to Emily Morrill who survived decedent and since died.
         Of said marriage the following children were born: Mary Fisher, William J. Fisher (sic Fuller) both living and Aurilla E. McMillen who died since decedent leaving Nina E. Rote, Allen McMillen, Willis McMillen and Edna Fulton her only children and James H. McMillen her husband who has since died.
   There was also born to said John Fuller, Jeremiah Fuller who died before decedent unmarried and without issue.  Said James was not married except to Aurilla McMillen.
         The Court therefore finds from said testimony that said decedent died leaving Emily Fuller as his widow now died and leaving Mary Fisher, William J. Fuller, Aurilla E McMillen his children and only heirs at law and that now Mary Fisher, William J. Fisher (Fuller), Nina E. Rote, Allen McMillen, Willis McMillen and Edna Multon are his only heirs at law and next of kin.

D. L. Jones, Judge”