CHARLES OSCAR FULLER FAMILY
CHARLES OSCAR: He was born 4 July 1828 in Oneida Co., New York. He died 1 Aug. 1879, the result of cancer, at his home on Doyle Creek, Fairplay Twp., Marion Co., Kansas and is buried in the City Cem., Florence, Marion Co., KS. He 1st. married Jane ??, no info. They had 1 Child. He 2nd. married Martha J. RICE in Missouri. She was born 1828 in New York State. She died 1889. She was the daughter of Ailiff RICE. They had 1 Child.
American Guide: Points of Interest in Marion Center,KS.
Charles O. Fuller:
Charles O. Fuller was born in New York, and went by overland stage from Missouri to Mexico. In 1855 he established Fuller's Ranch or Big Turkey Ranch on Turkey Creek in McPherson County, KS. These ranches for the accommodation of travelers were numerous along the trail and were located by the government, the land being given to anyone who would undertake to keep the place. In 1865 Fullers was a celebrated stopping place. Two French women cooked for him. Mr. Fuller afterwards came to Marion Center. He was a member of the legislature from Marion County in 1868. He built the first hotel in Marion, a frame building still in use in 1883. With Ira E. Moore he built and operated the first flour mill in the county. In 1872 he traded his interest in the mill for a farm west of Florence, Marion County, KS. where he lived with his family until his death in 1879. While in Missouri he married Martha Rice who survived him by ten years.
MARION COUNTY RECORD - MARION, KS.Friday, August 8, 1879
A PIONEER GONE
Mr. Charles O. Fuller, one of the pioneer settlers of this county, departed this life at his residence on Doyle Creek, near Florence, last Friday morning, age, about fifty-two years. The immediate cause of his death appears to be a matter about which physicians differ, but whatever may have been the special disease that tormented his life, it was undoubtedly its insidious attack upon his face some years ago, gradually eating into his right eye. Last spring he went to St. Louis and placed himself under treatment of an experienced physician and optician who took the eye entirely out; and returned Mr. Fuller to his home it was hoped a sound man. But the wish was in vain for the disease kept on its silent work, destroying the vital forces of the previous robust constitution of its victim tell some local malady, it matters not what, came to snap the brittle thread of life.
The deceased was widely known in this county. He came more than a dozen years ago, before the county was organized and had an active and prominent citizen of this county since then. He has held several important offices of trust. At the first general election, held in the county, November 7,1865, he was elected commissioner. In 1868 he represented the county in the Legislature and the time of his death he held the office of Justice of Fairplay Township - a position he held since the organization of that township.
Mr. Fuller built the Center House, of this city, which he conducted some time under the name Fuller House. He also, in connection with Ira Moore, built the first grist mill in the county, now the Funk Mill, one and three-fourths miles south of Marion Center.
The obdequeries were conducted by the Marion Center Masonic Lodge (of which the deceased was a worthy member) assisted by the members of the Florence Lodge of the Ancient Order. A very large delegation of Masons and others went down from here to pay the last tribute of respect to their departed brother and friend, and the funeral cartege is said to have been the largest that ever followed any one to the grave in Marion County. And all now that is mortal of Charles Fuller rests beneath the sod in the cemetery at Florence. Peaceful be sleep.
Mr. Fuller leaves a widow but no children to mourn him, and could any words of ours give her solace, in this hour of darkness and distress we would gladly utter them. We can only point her to Him who alone can comfort in hours like this.
A special Note: The above obituary indicates that Charles Fuller did not have
children. However, census returns indicate a child, a
daughter named, Ida Mary, born in Kansas. When the estate for
Charles was processed this girl was named the only legal heir
and the court appointed her mother as her legal guardian in
that Ida Mary was only ten years old when her father died.
2 children
Silas and Ida Mary
Silas: He was born Abt. 1848. No other infomation on this child.
Ida Mary: she was born in 1868 in Kansas. She married G. W. PIPER.
She was recorded as the only legal heir of her Father's estate.
