Levi K. Fuller | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| 44th Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 6, 1892 – October 4, 1894 | |
| Lieutenant | F. Stewart Stranahan |
| Preceded by | Carroll S. Page |
| Succeeded by | Urban A. Woodbury |
| 36th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 7, 1886 – October 4, 1888 | |
| Governor | F. Stewart Stranahan |
| Preceded by | Ebenezer J. Ormsbee |
| Succeeded by | Urban A. Woodbury |
| Member of the Vermont Senate | |
| In office 1880–1882 Serving with Jabez Delano Bridgman | |
| Preceded by | Dan P. Webster, Alvin B. Franklin |
| Succeeded by | Julius J. Estey, William B. Cutting |
| Constituency | Windham County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Levi Knight Fuller February 24, 1841 Westmoreland, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1896 (aged 55) Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Resting place | Morningside Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Abigail Emily Estey
(m. 1865–1896) |
| Occupation | Engineer Inventor Executive, Estey Organ Company |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
| Military service | |
| Service | Vermont National Guard |
| Years of service | 1864–1892 |
| Rank | Captain (National Guard) Colonel (Brevet) |
| Unit | Staff of Governor Julius Converse |
| Commands | Fuller Light Battery Company C, 1st Regiment |
Levi K. Fuller (February 24, 1841 – October 10, 1896) was an American businessman, military officer, and politician. A Republican, he served in the Vermont Senate from 1880 to 1882, as lieutenant governor from 1886 to 1888, and the 44th governor of Vermont from 1892 to 1894.
A native of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, Fuller was raised in Westmoreland and in Bellows Falls, Vermont. He began working at age 13, and completed apprenticeships in printing and telegraphy while still a teenager, in addition to completing evening school courses in engineering, mechanics, and electricity. In 1860, he began working at the Estey Organ Company in Brattleboro, Vermont; he soon became head of manufacturing, and was later appointed the company's vice president. In addition to his work for Estey, Fuller operated a machine shop and became a successful manufacturer of sewing machines and wood planers. Fuller invented more than 100 machines and mechanical innovations, including many that improved railroad cars.
A supporter of the Union, Fuller joined the Vermont Militia during the American Civil War, and remained affiliated with the organization until winning the governorship. In the mid-1870s, he became the commander of an artillery battery he personally raised, equipped, and paid, which was later accepted into National Guard service. A Republican in politics, Fuller represented Windham County in the Vermont Senate for one term, 1880 to 1882. From 1886 to 1888, he served as Vermont's lieutenant governor. In 1892, he was elected governor, and he served until 1894.
After serving as governor, Fuller returned to his work at Estey Organ. His health began to fail in 1895, and he died in Brattleboro on October 10, 1896. He was first buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. In 1900, his remains were moved to Brattleboro's Morningside Cemetery.