California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 PERCY B. FULTON. The efficient postmaster at Dinuba, who has filled this responsible position since November of 1897, is a descendant of old Virginian ancestry and a member of a family prominent in the early settlement of the west. His father, Rev. Samuel D. Fulton, was born in Ohio, where the grandfather, John Marks Fulton, M. D., a native of Botetourt county, Va., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for a long period. Early in life he completed his classical education and supplemented the same by the study of the law, which he prac- ticed in Weston, Mo., and also as a member of the law firm of Bixler, Williams & Fulton, at Virginia City, Nev., during the balmy days of the rich Comstock mine. On his return to Mis- souri he resumed professional work at Weston, but later removed to Quincy, Ill., and there was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. For years he served as a missionary on the frontier and established churches and schools in various parts of New Mexico and Arizona. From New Mexico he removed to Oregon and accepted the pastorate of the Pres- byterian Church at Dallas, Polk county. His next and last pastorate, which covered a period of several years, was at Hollister, Cal., and from that place he came to Dinuba, where he died in 1896 at the home of his son. During much of his active life he was connected with the Ma- sonic fraternity, whose principles of brotherhood and charity he believed to be in harmony with the divine teachings. The marriage of Rev. Samuel D. Fulton united him with Adelaide A. Buell, who was born in New York City, July 31, 1838, and was the eldest child of John T. and Louisa Pamelia (Cook) Buell, the former born in New York City, June 19, 1812, and the latter born in Bridgeport, Conn., July 13, 1817. Her grandfather, Abel Buell, was a sea-faring man and a ship officer in the merchant marine service. In October of 1839 John T. Buell left his eastern home and migrated to Burlington, Iowa, where he was soon afterward chosen chief of police and continued in that capacity until shortly before his death in 1900. During the early history of the town he was one of its most influential citizens, and few were more closely associated with its growth than he, nor did any cherish a deeper interest in its development. Of his marriage there were six children, and the eldest, Adelaide Augusta, Mrs. Fulton, now makes her home with her only son, Percy B., in Dinuba, and in her family there are also two daughters. At Weston, Mo., Percy B. Fulton was born July 25, 1867. In boyhood he attended the pub- lic schools of Quincy, Ill., and later became a student in Highland University, at Highland, Kans. During 1886 he went to New Mexico and settled at Aztec, San Juan county, where he held the office of postmaster for two years. While there he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law. On the Republican ticket in 1889 he was nominated as a member of the constitutional convention of New Mexico, but removed before the election to Oregon, conse- quently resigned as nominee. After settling at Dallas, Ore., in 1889, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business. During 1893 he came to California and bought a fruit ranch at Dinuba, where he not only engaged in fruit-growing but also carried on a real estate and insurance business. When he was appointed postmaster under President McKinley this was a fourth-class office. In the fall of 1903 it became a third-class office, and about the same time two rural mail routes were started from here into the adjoining country. January 1, 1904, 'he was again appointed to the office under President Roosevelt. In addition he continues to sell real estate and negotiate insurance policies. In 1896 he was appointed justice of the peace and two years later was elected to the office for a term of four years, at the expiration of which he was re-elected to the position. While living at Aztec, New Mexico, Mr. Fulton married Miss Irma Koontz, who was born in Florence, Colo. Her father, Hon. John A. Koontz, was a member of the Colorado state leg- islature several terms, later founded the town of Aztec in New Mexico and at this writing is a resident of Palo Alto, Cal. By his marriage Mr. Fulton has four children, Howard, Gladys, Les- ter and Muriel. In religion he and his family are identified with the Presbyterian Church. Here, as in the other places where he has resided, the Republican party has received his stanch allegiance, and at this writing he is a member of the county central committee. In the Board of Trade he is a member of the executive committee. Fraternally he is secretary of the Court of Honor and past officer in the Ancient Order of United Workmen.