John B. Fuller, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of John B. Fuller
JOHN B. FULLER. Just fifty years ago, or in 1862, John B. Fuller, then a Porter county youth of nineteen years, donned his suit of blue and with all the fervor of youthful patriotism marched to the front in defense of the Union. Many such youths there were who never returned from the conflict, and of those who did return comparatively few have been spared to see a half century pass since the opening of the Civil war. Mr. Fuller was not only honored for his soldier's service but also for long years of useful citizenship in Porter county.
On July 27, 1862, he enlisted in Company E of the Seventy-third Indiana infantry. The regiment was organized at South Bend and was mustered in August 16, 1862. It left the state at once for Lexington, Kentucky, but moved to Louisville early in September. After being assigned to the Twentieth Brigade, Sixth Division of Buell's army, it joined in the pursuit of Bragg, was in reserve at the battle of Perryville, and continued in pursuit of the enemy as far as Wild Cat. Returning to Glasgow, Kentucky, the regiment moved from thence to Gallatin, Tennessee, where it surprised the enemy, drove it from the field and captured nineteen prisoners. On November 26, 1862, the Seventy-third Indiana reached Nashville, proceeded from there to Lebanon, where it was in a skirmish, and from thence moved with Rosecrans' army to Stone river, which the regiment crossed on the evening of December 29, in company with the Fifty-first Indiana, being the first of the army to make the crossing. The Seventy-third was compelled to recross the river under the fire of an entire division, and it was in sharp skirmishing on December 30. The next day its brigade double-quicked a mile and a half to reinforce the right wing of the Union army which had been crowded back a distance of two miles, taking a position and engaging twice its numbers. It fought at close range for twenty minutes, losing more than one-third the members engaged, then charged and drove the force in its front from the field. Although compelled to fall back a short distance by the advance of a brigade on its flank, the enemy was checked in its advance and the right wing of the Union army was saved. General Rosecrans complimented the regiment in person after the battle. In these operations the Seventy-third Indiana was under fire at the front for six days and was so completely exhausted it was placed in reserve January 3, 1863. In April, 1863, this regiment became a part of Streight's independent provisional brigade and moved to East Port, Mississippi, where it was mounted. From thence it moved to Tuscumbia, Alabama, from which place it started on the raid into Georgia. At Day's Gap this brigade, numbering 1,500, was attacked by 4,000 of Forrest's and Roddey's cavalry. The Seventy-third, on the left flank, repulsed a fierce charge and the whole brigade then charged the enemy, driving it from the field. Later at Blount's farm, the Seventy-third again bore the brunt of the fight. At Cedar bluffs, utterly exhausted, almost out of ammunition and surrounded, the brigade surrendered. After their parole and exchange, the men again returned to the field, and those of the Seventy-third Indiana remained in active service until mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, July 1, 1865.
John B. Fuller, the subject of this review and one who bore his full share in making the enviable and glorious record of the Seventy-third Indiana, was born in Montgomery county, New York, on August 28, 1843, to Abraham and Catherine (Brown) Fuller. Abram Fuller was a native of New Hampshire but was married in New York state to Catherine Brown, and in 1853 brought his family to Porter county, Indiana. He was a farmer by vocation, the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in Westchester township, and in manners a man quiet and unassuming but one deeply respected as a citizen. Fraternally he affiliated with the Masonic order. His death occurred in 1895, after more than forty years of continuous residence in this county, being preceded in death by his wife, who passed away in September, 1877. To these parents were born four sons, all now deceased.
Mr. Fuller was but ten years of age at the time of the family's removal to Porter county and therefore the most of his schooling was obtained in this county. At nineteen he became a soldier and ere he again took up life in Porter county he had passed his majority and had experienced three years of valiant service in defense of the Union. On his return home he took up farming, which he successfully followed the greater part of his active career. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Lydia Best, who lived but five years after their marriage. To this union were born two daughters: Catherine, now Mrs. Adolphus Bornique, of Kokomo, Indiana, and Minnie, who married Melvin Huffman, of Pleasant Lake, Indiana. The second marriage of Mr. Fuller occurred on July 28, 1875, when Miss Charlotte Bond became his wife. .Mrs. Fuller is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne county in 1851. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, as follows: John W. Fuller, born August 31, 1876, who now resides in Whiting, Indiana; Emily A., who is now Mrs. Roy Sherwood; Henry A., a resident of Chesterton; and Charles C. and Della E., both of whom are at the parental home.
Politically Mr. Fuller was a staunch Republican and for six years served in the responsible position of assessor of Westchester township. He mingled with his old comrades in arms as a member of the A. B. Wade Post, No. 208, Grand Army of the Republic, at Chesterton, and Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
On January 26, 1912, the community was shocked at the sudden death of Mr. John B. Fuller, who was one of the honored citizens of Chesterton, as well as a veteran of the Civil war. A beautiful and fitting tribute paid to this honored citizen and old soldier presented by the A. B. Wade Post, No. 208, G. A. R., of Chesterton, is herewith appended: "Comrade Fuller's record as a soldier is one that any comrade may be proud of. In camp, on the march, on picket, or on the battlefield, his duties were always well and faithfully performed, always cheerful and ready to help a comrade that was in need of help. Comrade Fuller was taken prisoner with Colonel Streight's provisional Brigade of Mounted Infantry, near Rome, Georgia, on May 3, 1863, being a prisoner for sixteen days when the brigade was sent through to the Union lines. John Fuller enlisted in Company E, Seventy-third Indiana Infantry, August 16, 1862, and was discharged at the expiration of the war, July 1, 1865.
"Comrade Fuller is survived by the following comrades of his company: G. G. Seger, Raymond, Dakota; J. C. Beck, Michigan City; Nathan De Mars, Chesterton, Indiana; Daniel E. Osborn, Elwood, Indiana; J. J. Ritter, Golden, Indiana; Guy Pratt, Chesterton, Indiana; A. J. Anderson, Chesterton, Indiana; Isaac Crisman, Crisman, Indiana; Oliver Crisman, Crisman, Indiana; Adolph Gustafson, Quincy, :Massachusetts; George Wheeler, Valparaiso, Indiana, and Martin Young, Chesterton, Indiana."
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 827-830
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook