Alfred Fuller

Alfred Carl Fuller (January 13, 1885 – December 4, 1973) was a Canadian-born American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who was the original "Fuller Brush Man". He created the Fuller Brush Company, a multi-million dollar corporation.

For the British anthropologist, see A. W. F. Fuller.
Alfred Fuller
Born(1885-01-13)January 13, 1885
Welsford, Canada
DiedDecember 4, 1973(1973-12-04) (aged 88)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Resting placePleasant Valley Cemetery in Somerset, Nova Scotia
Known forFounder of the Fuller Brush Company

Biography

Early years

Alfred C. Fuller was born on an Annapolis Valley farm in Welsford, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the eleventh of twelve children of Leander and Phoebe (Collins) Fuller.[1] With the encouragement of his parents to find a career, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1903 at the age of 18 to live with his sister.[2]

Career Development

He went to work for the Somerville Brush and Mop Company, and became a successful salesman for them.[3] A self-described country bumpkin, he felt his success was attributed to his farm-boy charm, his ability to make his customer feel comfortable and his full money-back guarantee.[2]

In 1906, with a $375 investment, he started the Fuller Brush Company in Hartford, Connecticut, manufacturing brushes in a basement shop and selling these brushes door to door. By 1919, the company had achieved sales of more than $1 million per year.

Corporate Influence

Fuller Brush went on to be recognized throughout North America, even inspiring two comedy films, The Fuller Brush Man (1948) and The Fuller Brush Girl (1950). In 1961, Fuller recorded the secrets to his success on Folkways Records on an album entitled, Careers in Selling: An Interview with Alfred C. Fuller. The company remained in the Fuller family's hands until 1968, when it was acquired by Sara Lee Corporation.[4]

Personal life

In 1908, Fuller married Evelyn Winnifred Ells, a fellow Nova Scotian living in Boston. Evelyn worked along side Alfred acting as his secretary, accountant and working in sales as well. She is credited with outselling Alfred two to one. The couple had two sons, Alfred Howard born in 1913, and Avard Ells born in 1916.[1] Alfred C. Fuller and Evelyn Ells Fuller were divorced in 1930.[2]

In 1932 Fuller married Mary Primrose (Pelton) from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada at New York City.[1] Primrose was 19 years younger than Alfred and they remained married until Alfred's death. The couple, living at West Hartford, Connecticut, were well-known benefactors and supporters of various community organizations including the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, The Hartford Opera, The Hartford Symphony and the Bushnell Memorial. Both were active board members of Board of Regents for the University of Hartford. Primrose was awarded an honorary doctorate degree at this university in recognition of her contribution and support.[5]

Alfred's sons would take over the business in the capacity of president; Howard, led the company from 1943 until his death in an automobile accident in 1959,[6] at which time Avard took over the helm until 1969.[7][8]

Fuller maintained a lifelong connection with his native Nova Scotia, buying a home in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada where he and his family spent their summers.[9] The home, known as the Pelton-Fuller House was originally purchased by Primrose's maternal grandparents. Primrose's mother, Susan (Bown) Pelton, resided in the home until her death in 1965. The Fuller family then used the home as their summer house. In 1996, Primrose donated the house, at 20 Collins Street, to the Yarmouth County Museum where it has been restored and is open to the public.[10][11]

Fuller was initiated to the York Rite of Freemasonry,[12][13][14] till his elevation to the highest degree of Grand Master. He was a major supporter of what is now The Hartt School, University of Hartford. The Alfred C. Fuller Music Center was built in 1963 on the college campus.[15]

Death

Fuller died in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1973 and is buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Somerset, Nova Scotia, approximately 4 kilometres (or 2.5 miles) from his birthplace.[16]

References
  1. "Alfred C. Fuller fonds Nova Scotia Archives". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  2. "Alfred C. Fuller". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  3. Pink, Daniel H. (2012). To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others. Riverhead. pp. 11–13.
  4. Berg, Eric N. (May 18, 1989). "Fuller Brush Tries New Approach". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  5. "Fuller, Mary Primrose (Pelton)". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  6. "The Fuller Brush Man". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  7. "Avard E. Fuller Brush Executive New York Times". Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  8. "Business & Finance: Fuller's Fillies". Time. July 12, 1948. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
  9. "20 Collins Street [Heritage property documentation]". Town of Yarmouth. Town of Yarmouth. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  10. "Pelton-Fuller House," "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. "Pelton-Fuller House". Yarmouth Mueum and Archives. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  12. "Famous men members of Masonic Lodges". American Canadian Grand Lodge ACGL. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018.
  13. "Famous members of Masonic Lodges". Bavaria Lodge No. 935 A.F. & A. M. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018.
  14. "List of Famous Masons in the history". Highland Lodge No 762 F& A. M. Fort Wayne IN. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  15. "University of Hartford, Alfred C. Fuller Music House". Locations Hub. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  16. Nova Scotia's Electric Scrapbook: Alfred Carl Fuller Memorial from ns1763.ca
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