During the Napoleonic wars a Frenchman by name Methey left his native land and settled in Pisen, Germany. He had a wife and children, the latter born in Germany.
(II) Nicholas Methey was born in Pisen in 1790. He was a blacksmith by trade. He married Catherine ————, who bore him eight children. In 1849, after having been a widow about four years, she emigrated to the United States with her children, landing in New York City after a voyage of sixty-five days. She finally settled in Albany, with her family, and about 1856 married a second husband, Nicholas Snyder; they moved to Rochester, New York, where they died. Hitherto she had kept her children together, but after her second marriage the family was broken up and has never since been united. The boys took different names, while the identity of the girls was lost in their married names. Each was unknown to the other and in one instance a brother and sister lived near neighbors unknown to each other, they having separated in childhood. Six of the eight children are here named:
- Henry, left home after his mother's second marriage and assumed the name of Martin; he married, in Schenectady, and left issue.
- Peter, see forward.
- Margaret, married, and is deceased.
- Mary, married, and is deceased.
- Gertrude, married ———— Helas, a tailor of Albany; both deceased.
- Caspar, now a resident of Utica, New York, was the only child that retained the family name, Methey. He married, and has twelve children.
The other children died young.
(III) Peter, son of Nicholas and Catherine Methey, was born in the village of Huntine, province of Pisen, Germany, December 25, 1835. He took the name of Fuller, after his mother's second marriage, and has always retained it. After his breaking-off of family ties, he never again knew a home until he had made one for himself. His mother died before he again saw her, and under his new name he was lost to his brothers and sisters. After first leaving home he found employment on a farm, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. He then went with Jacob Taggart, of Bernardsville, Schoharie county, New York, who taught him the trade of miller. He continued milling with Garrett Quackenbush, and became thoroughly familiar with all milling processes then employed. He next operated a mill of his own at Worcester, New York, later one at Cobleskill and at Central Bridge. About 1865 he settled permanently at Schenectady, and became associated with J. S. Veeder, then proprietor of the old Veeder Schermerhorn Mills. In time he became proprietor of the mills as a tenant, later purchased the mills, which he enlarged and improved. He became very prosperous, and besides his mill property invested in unimproved land in now ward ten of Schenectady. His eldest son was admitted a partner and the firm name, Fuller & Son, was well known as a synonym for integrity and quality. In 1908 Mr. Fuller sold his interest to his son and retired from active business life. Wesley J. Fuller, his successor, has still further enlarged the mills, and by the introduction of improved, modern milling machinery and methods, keeps the mill products in the front rank. When Mr. Fuller was a boy he had but little advantages as to schooling. He worked for his board for three winters and attended school, working nights, mornings and Saturdays, rising at two o'clock in the morning to study his lessons. He worked for four dollars a month in harvest, and thus is, in the fullest sense, a self-made man. Mr. Fuller is a Democrat, a strong advocate of temperance and prohibition. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years.
He married (first), in Guilderland, Albany county, New York, Margaret J. Quackenbush, who is the mother of all his children. He married (second) Harriet A., daughter of Cassander and Catherine (Smith) Philo, granddaughter of Judge John Philo, who died in Saratoga county, New York, at the age of eighty-eight. Children:
- Menzo R., born in Guilderland; learned the milling business with his father, and since 1898 has been manager of a large milling concern at Seymour, Texas, where he married.
- Mary, died in childhood.
- Wesley J., born in Schenectady, February 2, 1869; he was educated in the public schools, learned the milling business, was admitted a partner with his father, and in 1908 purchased the mills which he now operates. He is a member of the Reformed church, Alliance Lodge, No. 867, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of the Exempt Fireman's Association and an active member of the Volunteer Fire Company of his ward; a Democrat in politics. He married, in 1890, Nellie J. Howenstein, born 1872. Children:
- Earle, born July 26, 1892.
- Marguerite, July 7, 1900.
- Catherine, April 16, 1905.
- Catherine, died at the age of four years.
- Lena, married Charles B. Stevens, of Schenectady; children: Byron and Marian.
- Edward D., born in Schenectady, employed in the milling business with his brother, Wesley J.
- William H., born in Schenectady, blacksmith by trade, married May Flashover; children: Mary, Peter and Virginia.
- Elizabeth (Belle), born in Schenectady, married a Mr. Cosboth.
- Alfred, died at age of six months.