My Genealogy Hound

J. A. FULTS, United States Mail Contractor, is one of the successful and representative citizens of Sedalia. He is a native of the Buckeye State, born at Washington Court House, Fayette County, March 6, 1851, and is a son of Simon Fults, a native of the same place. His paternal grandfather, Peter Fults, was born in Virginia, of German descent, and removed to Ohio, settling in Washington Court House, Fayette County, where he erected the first house. He there worked at his trade of cabinet-making, and also engaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. With the Methodist Protestant Church he held membership, and took an active interest in its work, serving for several years as Class-leader.

Simon Fults, the father of our subject, was reared to manhood in Ohio, where he engaged in farming until he had reached the age of thirty-five, when he also began the practice of law. In 1869 he emigrated to Missouri, the family locating in Windsor, Henry County, where he engaged in the practice of law, and also carried on agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living retired at the age of seventy-one. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah Bush, a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Bush, who was born in North Carolina, and was of German descent. Her father became one of the early settlers of Fayette County. To Mr. and Mrs. Fults were born eleven children, two of whom are now deceased. Of those living, all reside in Missouri, with the exception of one, who lives in Indian Territory. Religiously the father is a Congregationalist, while politically he votes with the Republican party.

J. A. Fults, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest in the family, and in the district schools of Ohio received his education. In 1869 he came to Missouri, and remained with his parents until his marriage. He engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to Sedalia, and took up the study of telegraphy. After completing a course in that line, he became operator for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, and also served as agent at Walker, Pilot Grove, Madison and Windsor. At the latter place he was employed for five years. In the spring of 1887 he resigned his position of operator, and became Cashier of the Windsor Savings Bank, where he remained until its consolidation with the Citizens’ Bank, when he resigned and was elected Cashier of the Farmers’ Bank of Green Ridge. After one year he resigned, and now gives his entire attention to taking mail contracts, at which he has been engaged since 1887. In September, 1891, he removed to Sedalia. He has contracts in every state in the Union, having about thirteen hundred and forty routes, though he has had as high as sixteen hundred. There is only one company that has more routes, and it is composed of five or six members, so that individually he handles more routes than any one man. From September, 1891, until 1894 he had charge of sixteen hundred. His office is now located in the Minter Block, and he is conducting a successful business.

In Green Ridge, Mo., Mr. Fults led to the marriage altar Miss Florence Sheble, a native of Noble County, Ohio, and a daughter of Mathias Sheble, who came to Green Ridge in 1869. Her father served as a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of an Ohio regiment, and he is now living retired. Mrs. Fults received an excellent education in the high school of Sedalia, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Ethel W. The family now resides at No. 507 West Seventh Street.

Mr. Fults is interested to some extent in real estate, and now owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres six miles northwest of Sedalia, which is under a high state of cultivation. While residing in Windsor he served as School Trustee for four years, being Secretary of the Board, and for two years was Alderman, during which time he was also Secretary of that body. With the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he holds membership, and in the Uniformed Rank of Knights of Pythias he held both the offices of Lieutenant and Captain, serving in each for one year. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. He belongs to the Congregational Church, and is now Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of recognized ability, and receives the confidence and esteem of all who know him.