A worthy representative of the legal fraternity, and the first city attorney of Grangeville, Robert F. Fulton is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Westmoreland County, December 8, 1864. He is of Scotch-Irish lineage, his great-grandfather, John Fulton, having been a resident of the north of Ireland, whence he emigrated to Pennsylvania at an early epoch in the history of this country. The grandfather, George Fulton, was born in the Keystone state and the father, James P. Fulton, is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Frances Shouse, also a native of the same county, and descended from good old Revolutionary stock, her great-grandfather having served as a colonel in the Continental army. In religious faith the family has always been connected with the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Cooper, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the first minister of that denomination west of the Alleghany Mountains. James P. Fulton also became a Presbyterian minister, and in 1875 went to Harper County, Kansas, becoming a most efficient laborer in that field, where many Presbyterian churches stand in evidence of his untiring zeal and efforts in behalf of the cause of Christianity. He organized the first church in the county, and since that time has been actively identified with Christian work there. He and his estimable wife are still residing in Harper, and if their lives are spared until May 1900, they will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Rev. James P. Fulton is now seventy-five years of age. Eight sons and two daughters have been born to them, and the family is one of the highest respectability, the circle yet remaining unbroken by the hand of death. Most of the sons are now in professional life, as lawyers, doctors or educators.
Robert F. Fulton, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the schools of his native state, and read law in the office of the firm of Finch & Finch, of Kansas, being admitted to the bar in 1888. He then removed to Bent County, Colorado, where he engaged in the practice of law for a year and a half and then came to Grangeville. Here he opened his law office, being one of the oldest practitioners in years of continuous connection with the bar of Idaho County. He has met with very gratifying success in his efforts, and his ability in presenting a case to judge or jury is widely recognized. His close study has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the science of jurisprudence and he has secured a large and constantly increasing clientage. For five years he was also associated with Aaron F. Parkes in the publication of the Idaho County Free Press, and has made some judicious investments in real estate, owning considerable valuable property in Grangeville.
On the 18th of July 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fulton and Miss Lillian Robin-son, a daughter of J. H. Robinson, of Grangeville. They now have an interesting little son, Edwin Dale. Mrs. Fulton is a valued member of the Methodist church, while he adheres to the faith of his fathers and is an earnest Presbyterian. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Red Men, and in politics he was an active Republican until 1896 since which time he has been identified with the silver branch of the party and is now chairman of the Silver Republican county central committee. He was elected a member of the fourth session of the state legislature and served as the first city attorney of Grangeville. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, and was an active and valued member of the body which formed the laws for the commonwealth. His public and private life are alike above reproach, and he is accounted one of Grangeville’s representative citizens.