William T. Fulton (February 27, 1835 – November 9, 1912) was an American politician and lawyer from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1877 to 1880.

William T. Fulton
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Chester County district
In office
1877–1880
Preceded byElisha W. Baily, Peter G. Carey, George Fairlamb Smith, John P. Edge
Succeeded byJohn A. Reynolds, Theodore K. Stubbs, John T. Potts, William Wayne
Personal details
Born(1835-02-27)February 27, 1835
West Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 9, 1912(1912-11-09) (aged 77)
Oxford, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeOxford Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Hannah A. Kirk
(m. 1865, died)

Annie E. Neeper
(m. 1875, died)
Children3
Occupation
  • Politician
  • farmer
  • lawyer

Early life

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William T. Fulton was born on February 27, 1835, in West Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania, to Nancy A. (née Ramsey) and James J. Fulton. He attended Jordan Bank Academy.[1][2][3] He read law with Thaddeus Stevens and J. Smith Futhey. He was admitted to the bar on May 13, 1861.[2][4]

Career

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In August and September 1861, Fulton helped form Company E of the Purnell Legion of the Maryland Infantry in the Civil War. He was also affiliated with Companies F and G of the Purnell Legion, commanded by William Henry Purnell. He was promoted to captain and later major of the regiment due to his gallantry at Battle of Harpers Ferry and Battle of Antietam.[1][2][4] In 1863, he became ill and was honorably discharged.[4] He volunteered again and became first lieutenant of Company A of the 29th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in 1863.[1][4] He was a farmer and blacksmith. He practiced law in Oxford from 1861 to 1912.[1][2]

Fulton served as a justice of the peace of Oxford from 1863 to 1876.[1][5] He was a Republican. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1877 to 1880.[1][6]

Fulton was director of the Oxford National Bank.[2]

Personal life

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In 1865, Fulton married Hannah A. Kirk, daughter of Joseph Kirk of West Nottingham Township. They had a son and daughter, Kirk and Annie E. His wife predeceased him.[3] He married Annie E. Neeper in 1875. They had one daughter, Eleanor J. She predeceased him.[3] He was a member and elder of the Oxford Presbyterian Church.[2][7]

Fulton died of heart failure on November 9, 1912, at his home office in Oxford.[1][2][4] He was interred at Oxford Cemetery.[1][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "William T. Fulton". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Hon. William T. Fulton, of Oxford, Chester County, Dies Suddenly". The New Era. November 11, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ a b c d "Major William T. Fulton". The Midland Journal. November 15, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ a b c d e "Death of G. A. R. Veteran". Newark Post. November 13, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "William T. Fulton". The Lancaster Daily Intelligencer. November 11, 1912. p. 2. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ Thomson, W. W., ed. (1898). Chester County and Its People. The Union History Company. p. 441. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  7. ^ "Died in the Harness". The Inquirer. November 16, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.