Carleton Sumner George Fuller

CSG. Fuller. Born June 20, 1847-Died March 22, 1905.

Again death enters a De Smet home and removes from the activities of this life a loving husband and a father, and at the same time cuts short the business career of one of our foremost merchants.  It is hard to realize that C. S. G. Fuller is with us no more.  Ere we fully realized that he was sick he was beyond medical skill, and then passed away.

Mr. Fuller had not been in the best of health the past winter, but he had kept at his post in the store and personally directed his business.  He was taken ill on Monday night the 13th and a physician called.  The first trouble was from pleurisy and later it was discovered that there was an estoppage of the bowels.  Coupled with this was a nervous breakdown and he had not strength to rally.  He continued for ten days, during the time physicians doing all they could to build up his system, but to no purpose.  He passed away at 8:16 on Wednesday evening, March 22.

The funeral was held at two o’clock on Sunday from Couse’s hall.  At one thirty the several orders of which the deceased was a member met at Society hall and marched to the home to escort the remains to the hall. The Workmen led, next the Degree of Honor, the Stars, and the Masons. Six brother Masons acted as honorary pall bearers and six brother Workmen carried the remains. The attendance at the hall was the largest ever congregating at a funeral in De Smet, and several hundred were on the street because there was no more room in the building. The beautiful Masonic burial service was conducted by M. G. Carlisle, of Brookings, assisted by Rev. Hardman, pastor of the Episcopal church and officers of De Smet lodge.  A select choir furnished the music, and the sermon was delivered by Rev. G. H. Starring, pastor of the Congregational church, whose remarks were well chosen. The text was from Ps. 116-15 ‘Precious in the sight if the Lord is the death of his saints.’

The floral decorations were beautiful. A number of set pieces were furnished by societies, business men and friends. - At the cemetery the final ceremony was conducted by the Masons, after which the remains were consigned to Mother Earth, to be seen no more by men.

Charlton Sumner George Fuller was born in Bath, England, June 20, 1847. When he was past two years old his parents  came to America, going first to Skaneateles, New York, and later to Syracuse, which was their home for many years. Charlton attended the city schools, and later the McGill college at Montreal, Canada.

After leaving college he went to Chicago where he lived for ten or twelve years.

In 1868 he was married to Minerva Beers, who died nine years later, leaving no children.

In 1879 Mr. Fuller and A. J. Dox, also of Chicago, formed a partnership and came out to Brookings and put in a hardware store. The next year another store was put in at De Smet and Mr. Fuller came here to manage the business. After a few months it became evident that such an arrangement would not be profitable, so the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Fuller taking the De Smet store and Mr. Dox the one at Brookings.

During this first year the first issue of the De Smet News appeared with Geo. Hopp and Geo. Mathews as editors and proprietors, the printing being done in the Fuller store. - In 1882 Mr. Fuller took into partnership his brother, Gerald, and the business for a number of years was run by C.S.G. Fuller & Brother.

On February 26, 1883 Mr. Fuller was married to Miss Chloe Dow, who survives him  Four children were born to them, Robert C., Claude E., Charlton and Jack Glendon.  Charlton died at the age of 3 years.

Mr. Fuller continued in the hardware and machinery business exclusively until two years ago when he branched out into a department store and his business has increased proportionately. His store is 25x165 feet and a second story 25x 70 and this is packed with goods until there is scarcely room to turn around. Mr. Fuller was a good business man and his accumulations is evidence of his careful methods and close attention to his affairs. If the history of De Smet were written the name of Mr. Fuller would be one of the most frequently mentioned.  The business interests of De Smet must necessarily suffer by his sudden removal, and it will be a long time, if ever, before his place will be filled.

Mr. Fuller’s father came of a Quaker family and his mother was an Episcopalian.  When a boy Carlton became converted and joined the Baptist church.  He did not unite with a church in De Smet until 1898 when he joined the Congregational church where his wife had her membership. He has since been an active member of that church, at all times interested in its well fare. He served a number of years as superintendent of the Sunday school, at other times as secretary.  As he grew older his interest in religious matters increased and the prospect of a future home with his Maker was a great comfort to him in his last hours.  His favorite Sunday school song was ‘Count Your Many Blessings,’ and he almost hourly referred to this song during the last few days.

Mr. Fuller was a great lover of the Masonic order. He became a Mason in August, 1872, being given the degrees by Lincoln Park Lodge, No. 611, Chicago. He united with Queen Esther Chapter, Eastern Star, soon after. He became a Royal Arch Mason, March 20, 1875, joining Corinthian Chapter, No. 69. Chicago. On March 27, 1877, he was advanced to a Knight Templar by Appolo Commandery No. 1. When in 1884 De Smet Lodge No. 55 A.F.&A.M. was instituted Mr. Fuller was a charter member, as he also was of the Eastern Star when that was instituted. Mr. Fuller was several times master of his lodge, and had served as secretary continuously for ten years.

In 1885 De Smet Lodge No. 25 A.O.U.W. was organized, Mr. Fuller enrolling his name as a charter member. In 1896 he joined the Degree of Honor.  Both memberships have been continued and his heirs will receive from the former $2000 and the latter $1000.

In 1884 the National Guard was organized. Mr. Fuller became first lieutenant of Co. E.   Later he was promoted to Captain, then Major and afterward Lieutenant Colonel. This position he held when in 1897 the regiment was called on to participate in the war with Spain. Col. Fuller went with the regiment to Sioux Falls but was there rejected for physical reasons. This was a severe disappointment to him, as he was an enthusiastic militiaman and anxious to serve his country even if it took him to the field of battle.

The life is ended. The tale is told. We have no power to add to or take away from the record. The departed has left a monument of honesty, uprightness and fair dealing which will last throughout time.

Mrs. Samuel Fuller arrived Saturday night from New York to attend the funeral of her son. Mrs. Fuller is eighty-four years old, but she stood the journey remarkably well. De Smet friends are glad to meet her again, though sorry that her mission was such a sad one. Mrs. Samuel Fuller left for her home in Brooklyn yesterday morning.

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