Franklin Oliver Fuller

Franklin Oliver Fuller (November 2, 1873 – August 9, 1934) was an American politician and lawyer. A Democrat, he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, including a term as Speaker of the House.

Early life and education Fuller was born on November 2, 1873, in Melrose, Texas, a settlement in Nacogdoches County, the son of Benjamin Franklin Fuller and Josephine (née Green) Fuller. Educated at public schools, he studied at Sam Houston State University and Southern Normal University.

Career From 1894 to 1904, Fuller was a schoolteacher, In 1901, he was admitted to the bar in Tennessee, after which he began practicing in Coldspring.

Fuller was a Democrat. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, from January 8, 1907, to January 10, 1911, and again from January 14, 1913, to December 4, 1918. He served as Speaker of the House, from January 9, 1917, until the end of his tenure. He represented the 19th district from 1907 to 1911, then represented the 11th district from 1913 to 1918. Ideologically, he was liberal.

While in the House, Fuller was chairman of the Committees on Forestry; on Liquor Traffic; and on Private Corporations. He was a member of the Committees on Banks and Banking; on Common Carriers; on Criminal Jurisprudence; on Counties; on Examination of Comptroller's and Treasurer's Accounts; on Federal Relations; on Insurance; on Judicial Districts; on the Judiciary; on Penitentiaries; on Reforms in Civil and Criminal Procedure; and on Rules.

Personal life and death On April 28, 1895, Fuller married Lizzie Holt, with whom he had five children. He was a Baptist, as well as a member of the Freemasons. His great-grandson was Ralph Wallace.