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.

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. 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.

Career Development He went to work for the Somerville Brush and Mop Company, and became a successful salesman for them. 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. The company remained in the Fuller family's hands until 1968, when it was acquired by Sara Lee Corporation.

Personal life In 1908, Fuller married Evelyn Winnifred Ells, a fellow Nova Scotian living in Boston. Evelyn worked alongside 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.

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, at which time Avard took over the helm until 1969.

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. 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.

Fuller was initiated to the York Rite of Freemasonry, 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.

Death Fuller died in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1973 at the age of 88 of myeloma. He is buried at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Somerset, Nova Scotia, approximately from his birthplace.