Levi K. Fuller

Levi K. Fuller
44th Governor of Vermont
In office
October 6, 1892 – October 4, 1894
LieutenantF. Stewart Stranahan
Preceded byCarroll S. Page
Succeeded byUrban A. Woodbury
36th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office
October 7, 1886 – October 4, 1888
GovernorF. Stewart Stranahan
Preceded byEbenezer J. Ormsbee
Succeeded byUrban A. Woodbury
Member of the Vermont Senate
In office
1880–1882
Serving with Jabez Delano Bridgman
Preceded byDan P. Webster, Alvin B. Franklin
Succeeded byJulius J. Estey, William B. Cutting
ConstituencyWindham County
Personal details
Born
Levi Knight Fuller

February 24, 1841
Westmoreland, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedOctober 10, 1896 (aged 55)
Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeMorningside Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Abigail Emily Estey
(m. 1865⁠–⁠1896)
OccupationEngineer
Inventor
Executive, Estey Organ Company
Signature
Military service
ServiceVermont National Guard
Years of service1864–1892
RankCaptain (National Guard)
Colonel (Brevet)
UnitStaff of Governor Julius Converse
CommandsFuller 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.