BARNABAS W. FULTON, a well-known and influential citizen of Moultrie County, bears a prominent part in various local affairs. He has an established reputation as a good farmer, and an upright man, and were it for no other reason save his valiant services as a soldier in the late war he would deserve representation in this volume. In agricultural affairs he has been very especially successful and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of as fine land as is to be found in the county. This goodly tract is located on section 5, Lowe Township, and is well developed and is supplied with a full line of farm buildings.

The parents of our subject were among the earliest settlers of Moultrie County, coming here in 1832 shortly after their marriage in Kentucky. Both were natives of Kentucky and bore the names of John B. and Amy (Hagden) Fulton. Upon their arrival in this county they located in Jonathan Creek Township, where they improved a tract of wild land and passed their remaining years. During the first years of their residence here they endured all the hardships of pioneer life, but by unflagging perseverance and indomitable energy they conquered adversity and in their declining years were surrounded by the comforts for which they had labored so arduously in earlier life. All who love their country and are interested in its development, will hold in reverence the names of John F. Fulton and his good wife.

The sixth in a family of eight children, our subject was born in Jonathan Creek Township, this county, April 19, 1840. His earliest recollections are of the scenes of frontier life and he has not only been an interested witness of the growth of this section, but has contributed his quota to its progress. He deserves especial mention not only as a pioneer but also as a brave defender of the Union. He was in his early manhood when the war broke out and all the enthusiasm and patriotism of his nature were fired in behalf of the Government. Accordingly he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war.

When the Government had no further need of his services he returned to Jonathan Creek Township and resumed farming, to which he has ever since devoted his attention. He was married in that township in November, 1868, to Elizabeth Maston, a native of Coles County, Ill., and their union was blest by the birth of two children -- William, who died when one and one-half years old, and Barnabas, who is still under the parental roof. The wife, and mother passed from the earth at her home in Jonathan Creek Township, October 28, 1873.

The cozy home of Mr. Fulton is presided over by a lady of intelligence and refinement, whose maiden name was Sarah Maston and who was born in Jonathan Creek Township, September 12, 1854. Her parents were James and Mary (Campbell) Maston, the former of whom died in this township. The marriage of our subject and his estimable wife was solemnized March 23, 1874, and the congenial union has been blest by the birth of one child -- a son -- Isaac W. Mr. Fulton continued to reside in Jonathan Creek Township until 1875, when he came to Lowe Township and settled on section 5, of which he has since been a resident. Politically Mr. Fulton is a Democrat, believing that the principles of that party are best calculated to advance the interest of the nation. Socially he and his wife are highly esteemed for their hospitality and many noble attributes of heart and mind.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 314/317

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