Fullenwider - Joseph Newton - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 21 January 1898

Joseph N. Fullenwider died at his home near Brown's Valley Sunday, the 6th inst, at 1 p. m. The funeral occurred from the Presbyterian church at Waveland at 10 o'clock on Tuesday.

Within the bounds of Montgomery county, or indeed of the entire State, no better representative of honest, upright manhood could be found than the above named gentleman, who for many years was identified with the work of the county, and especially that portion of it known as Brown's Valley.

The Fullenwider family is of ancient Swiss origin. Peter Fullenwider and wife, the great grandparents of Joseph, were both natives of the "land of snow and ice." They made their acquaintance with this world in the same cannon, growing to years of maturity as neighbors, and accepting each other as life partners in Switzerland, the country of their birth. Peter Fullenwider became impressed with the possibilities that rumor brought him concerning the New World soon after his marriage, and determined to seek his fortune in the country which many of his friends and neighbors had portrayed in such glowing colors.

Peter Fullenwider started with his wife and child for the shores of America in a sailing vessel, and when only a few days out at sea their little one sickened and died. They located at Hagerstown, Maryland and there reared a family of four daughters and three sons. Their boys were Peter, Henry and Jacob, all of whom, after reaching mature years, moved from Hagerstown to Washington county, Pennsylvania from which place they migrated to Shelby county, Ky. Jacob Fullenwider, the youngest of this family, returned to Pennsylvania about the year 1794, and there married Miss Catherine Winter, with whom he returned to Shelby county, Ky., where he became the father of fifteen children and soon won recognition as one of the substantial citizens of the county.

Peter Fullenwider's family all reached years of manhood and womanhood. Jacob, the youngest, of this family, completed his 35th year before any member of the family died. Eleazer, the fifth son, married Miss Lavinia Allen, a lady much respected for her womanly traits of character, and J. Newton Fullenwider was the son of this esteemed couple, whose family numbered eleven children, all of whom reached maturity.

Joseph first distinguished himself in life by entering the Fortieth Indiana Infantry in the year 1863, joining the Atlanta campaign and taking part in the battle of Buzzard's Roost. He was placed under Gen. Sherman and took part in the battles of Big Shanty, Dalton, Franklin, Resaca, New Hope, Kenesaw Mountain and the two-days fight at Nashville. He was mustered out October, 1865. James Fullenwider, our subject's brother, joined the army in 1862 and was killed at the battle of Spring Hill, March, 1863. Another soldier of this illustrious family was Robert Fullenwider, who enlisted in 1861 and was in active service at the Battle of Corinth, Miss also at the battle of Murfreesboro. and was under the command of Gen. Buell when that soldier retreated back to Louisville. Chalmers E the youngest brother. was also in the service.

When Joseph decided to enlist he left his wife in charge of the farm with their four small children, the youngest of whom died before Joseph left Indianapolis. Though timid, Mrs. Fullenwider is at the same time courageous. During the civil war, while her husband was a soldier, she bravely maintained her family, though sickness and death entered therein with all their distresses. She willingly sacrificed everything that would deter her husband from going to the front in protection of the flag. Of Mr. and Mrs. Fullenwider's four living children, Robert, the eldest, is now on the old farm; Lavina is the wife of Dr. Charles Lofland, of Paris, Illinois. Henry C. is a farmer of this Township. and James S. a graduate of the Purdue University at Lafayette.

Politically Mr. Fullenwider was an old time Whig and as a natural consequence has developed into a stanch Republican. He has served as Commissioner of Drainage of Montgomery county, and has also acted in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. He stood well in the brotherhood of Masonry and was an active and earnest member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Fullenwider was a remarkably intelligent business man loyal in his friendships and courteous in his bearing. His career in the community where he has made his home so long was that of an exemplary citizen in every respect. He was united in marriage in October, 1852 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Robert and Eliza (Roberts) Elliott, natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom are deceased. The family consisted of four sons and two daughters, namely Scott, William, Davis, Charles, (deceased), Margaret and Mary - transcribed by kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Review, 22 January 1898 p 8

"Browns Valley News" - A large crowd attended the funeral of Uncle Newton Fullenwider at Waveland on Tuesday.

Same column lower - Uncle Newton Fullenwider died at his home, a half mile west of here on Sunday at 1 o'clock of cancer of the stomach. He was one of the finest men around here, and will be sadly missed in this community for he was liked by all who knew him. He was 65 years of age. He leaves a wife and four children, three boys and one girl, besides a host of friends and relatives to mourn his loss. The funeral was preached in the Presbyterian Church at Waveland on Tuesday at 11 o'clock and his remains interred in the new cematery (sic) at that place. - kbz

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 21 January 1898