Draft:Howard G. Fuller

Judge Howard G. Fuller

Howard G. Fuller (January 5, 1850 – November 11, 1908) was a justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court from January 15, 1894 until his death on November 11, 1908.

Born at Glens Falls, New York, to Garrett and Emily (Adams) Fuller, the family moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, when Fuller was about six years.

Fuller, at the time of his death was serving upon the bench of the supreme court, for which office he had been unanimously renominated.

Fuller was the second in a family of five children. He pursued his education at Maquoketa until graduated from the high school and afterward attended the academy at Eldora, Iowa. He took up the profession of teaching and proved a most capable educator, his ability gaining him prominence in that direction. He was elected superintendent of schools in Union, Iowa, filling that position for four years, and while filling the office of county superintendent of schools in Hardin county, Iowa, devoted himself assiduously to the study of law. He remained as county superintendent from 1880 until 1884 and was elected for a third term but resigned the position and came to South Dakota in 1885. He pursued his legal studies under the direction of Hon. H. L. Hufi' and was admitted to the bar in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1883. After his removal to this state in 1885 he joined Mr. Bowdle. and Mr. Newcomer, the former a banker of Mitchell and the latter a banker of Eldora, Iowa, in laying out the town of Bowdlc, South Dakota, and established a bank at that place, of which Judge Fuller became an officer. He continued his banking interests as an incident to the practice of law until 1889, the year of the admission of the state into the Union, when he was elected to the circuit bench, having been nominated for the office at the convention in Miller. His district comprised eleven counties and he removed to Faulkton, which was located more nearly in the center of the district, there residing for four years. At the time of his removal he severed his connection with the bank at Bowdle.

Judge Fuller served on the circuit bench for one term and was reelected for a second term but soon afterward was appointed to the supreme bench by Governor Sheldon to fill out the unexpired term of Judge J. E. Bennett, deceased. Accordingly in 1894 he removed to Pierre and continued upon the bench by reelections of the people for fourteen years or until his death in 1908. There were but three judges on the supreme court bench at that time and his duties were extensive and arduous.

In October, 1875, Judge Fuller wedded Miss Maria E. Leonard, a native of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Nathan Alonzo and Amelia (Jenkins) Leonard. Her father was born in Rutland, Vermont, about 1817, and her mother in Bristol, England, in 1819. In early life Mr. Leonard removed to Pennsylvania, where he conducted a manufacturing business. He also possessed superior musical talent and occupied a prominent position in musical circles there. He removed westward to Iowa in 1858, before the building of the railroads, and purchased a tract of land at Oskaloosa, where he engaged in the operation of a flour and sawmill. In 1861 he responded to the country’s call for aid, enlisting in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, in which he became captain of Company A. Later he was transferred to another regiment and served for about a year. He was then taken ill and returned home, his death occurring in November, 1862. His widow survived him for more than two decades and after her husband’s death returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, Where her children were educated. A short time prior to her demise, however, she again became a resident of Iowa and in that state passed away in 1883. Mr. Leonard was a very public-spirited as well as a patriotic citizen and was connected with progressive events of the_ state in an early day. Their family numbered four children, including Mrs. Fuller, who died in 1899, after a long illness. There had been four children born of that marriage. Thad L., who is a. lawyer of high repute, has frequently held public office connected with the law and is engaged in his profession at Milbank, South Dakota. He wedded Miss Mary Howell, of Frederick, this state, and they have three sons: Howell, Francis and Harry, all at home. Arthur L., the second son of Judge Fuller, is a captain in the Coast Artillery of the United States Army now detailed as assistant to the chief of staff in the war department at Washington, D. C. At the opening of the Spanish war he entered the volunteer service and throughout the campaign of the Philippine islands was captain of Company A, First Regiment South Dakota Volunteers, during which time he received considerable comment of the press as the youngest captain in the United States Army. Shortly after the Spanish war he entered the regular service. He married Virginia Wise, daughter of Rear Admiral \Vise of the United States navy, and they have three children: Virginia Wise, Arthur L., and William H. Harry L. died in 1901, while a student in the University of Minnesota. Howard G. Fuller, who pursued academic and law courses at the University of South Dakota, graduated from Yale Law School and is a prominent attorney at Pierre. He married Miss Anne Billinghurst, of the capital city, and they have one child, Anne Lucile, at home.

Later Judge Fuller married Mrs. Lucy A. Warburton of Pierre, who now survives him. Mrs. Fuller still resides at the capital city and has always been prominent in the social life of the state. She is a woman of rare attainment and her qualities of womanly grace and dignity lent an especial touch of beauty and happiness to the closing chapter of Judge Fuller’s life

The death of Judge Fuller occurred November 11, 1908. At the time of his death he was serving upon the supreme court bench and would have continued a member of the court of last resort until 1913.

References

Category:1850 births Category:1908 deaths Category:Justices of the South Dakota Supreme Court

This open draft remains in progress as of July 5, 2023.