Darwin Felter was born in North Blenheim, Schoharie County, N. Y., September 17, 1828. He was educated in the common schools, and learned the trade of millwright after he was eighteen years of age, serving an apprenticeship of four years with John L. Patchen. He was naturally adapted to mechanical construction, and thoroughly mastered this calling. Having confidence in his ability, he started out for himself, working in many different places in New York, Pennsylvania, and other States, building mills, tanneries, and other structures requiring thorough knowledge and skill in the business. He made New Milford his home until the time of his marriage, December 19, 1853, since which date he has resided in Binghamton, although frequently, in the course of his business, called away to other places. Prominent among those by whom his services were in request were John Anderson and J. B. Weed, who, with others, recognizing his ability, particularly with reference to the management of complicated machinery, recommended him for his present position.
Mr. Felter has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah A. Baird, daughter of William Baird, of Binghamton, died, leaving two children: Nellie E., wife of the Hon. D. R. Munro, of Shoshone, Idaho; and William D., now in a dry-goods house in Albany, N. Y. Mr. Felter's present wife, with whom he lives at No. 30 Conklin Avenue, was before marriage Miss Margaret S. Stannard, of Elmira, N. Y. Mr. Felter is a public-spirited man, and, before entering upon his present duties, held for two terms the office of Supervisor of the Fifth Ward. Since his appointment to the charge of the water-works he has refused to allow his name to be considered in connection with any office. He is a member of Otseningo Lodge and Binghamton Chapter, A. F. & A. M. During all his political life he has been a strong and uncompromising Republican.
The accompanying portrait of Mr. Felter, which his friends will have no difficulty in recognizing, shows a man with a genius for mechanics; a clear-headed man, observant and calculative, possessed of excellent executive ability and skill in direction, and, at the head of the water-works, emphatically the right man in the right place.
Source: pages 675-676.
WILLIAM D. FULLER, a merchant located at Nanticoke, Broome County, N. Y., has had considerable experience in different employments, and is as well acquainted with farm work as with merchandising. His knowledge of human nature, giving him an intelligent idea of the wants of the people, has been to his advantage in his present occupation, enabling him to secure patronage. By having the commodities desired by his customers and furnishing the same at honest prices, he has built up a good trade, and stands well in his line of business. He was born in the town of Barker, Broome County, in 1857.
His grandfather, Orlando C. Fuller, who was probably born in Otsego County, moved to Barker at an early day, and was one of the pioneer farmers of that town. He died there in 1878, at eighty-four years of age, having had by one wife fourteen children, of whom eleven reached maturity and ten are now living. Orlando R. Fuller, son of Orlando C. and father of William, is a native of Barker. He took a wife from the town of Triangle, Angelina Adams. They were married in Barker in 1856, and moved to their farm near the village of Nanticoke in 1870. They are the parents of four children now living, namely: William D.; Fred, of Binghamton, who has a wife and two children; Andrew, a widower, having one son, and residing at Marathon; and Lottie, wife of Will Berdea, living on a farm near Nanticoke. Another son, George, died in 1890, when thirty years old, leaving a wife and two children.
William D. Fuller remained at home with his parents until of age, in his boyhood attending the district school of the neighborhood, and obtaining so good a knowledge of the branches in which he received instruction that he taught school two winters. Early accustomed to farm work, he became familiar with all its details; and the habits of industry there formed have attended him through life. Since leaving home, he has been a butcher and meat dealer much of the time, as well as a practical farmer. Mr. Fuller is a gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet, and he improves upon acquaintance. He is a Master Mason, a fact which shows that he stands well in the ancient fraternal order founded on the practice of social and moral virtue. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Collector five years, and for the past six years has been Justice of the Peace. His repeated election to these offices of trust is an index of the estimation in which he is held by those who know him best. He was married in 1880 to Jennie Morgan, of Lamb's Corners. Her grandfather, Halsey Morgan, of Massachusetts, was brought to Broome County in 1818 by his father, Nicholas Morgan, who died here a very old man. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are the parents of six children, namely: Bessie, twelve years old; Orlo, eleven years; Jessie, ten years; Angie, eight years; Mary, three years; and Horace, the baby. Mr. Fuller opened his store in 1890. He was by no means a stranger here when he started in business, being, on the contrary, well and favorably known, so that from the beginning he has had a good trade.
Source: pages 61-62.
All biographies are from Biographical Review - The Leading Citizens of Broome County, New York
Boston - Biographical Review Publishing Company - 1894
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