We have precious little
documentation of the personal lives of William Lee and Nancy. In all census records, he always listed his occupation as farmer. He must have had success because at least three of their sons
graduated from college, rather unusual for farmer’s children at the
turn of the century. We do know that William was quite active
in church work, teaching class and even attending national denominational
conventions. Nancy was also an active member of the church (Methodist
Episcopal) and the WCTU. Cemetery records suggest that William
Lee may have been a Civil War veteran, yet no military rosters or
pension records have been found to confirm that speculation. Further, on the 1910 census he does not claim to be a survivor of
the Union cause in the conflict.
After a two year illness,Nancy preceded William in death by six years (d. 6/29/1922). William Lee, who was often referred to as simply “Lee” by family,
died 8/28/1928. Although his will was drafted December 17, 1921,
seven years before his death, his signature on that document was quite
small, displaying considerable frailty and a possible tremor. Nancy
and William Lee are buried together in the Spring Valley Cemetery inGreene County, Ohio, as are a number of Grandfather Richard’s descendants,
mostly from son Amos’ line.
By the time William Lee and
Nancy decided to return to Ohio (1892), their oldest child, George
Walter Fulkerson, had grown to manhood, having reached 21years of
age. As often happens at that time of a young man’s life, George
Walter was smitten by a tall, lithesome Hoosier named Mary Eldora
Van Dolsen. Mary Eldora was born in October 1872, the daughter
of John and Mary J. Van Dolsen from New York. George Walter
(often called simply “Walter” in family records) and Mary Eldora were
married in the spring of 1892; and therefore, they did not accompany
the rest of the family back to Ohio. This event alone accounts
for the bifurcation of our particular Fulkerson family line into sizableIndiana and Ohio components. George Walter had three children,
two daughters and one son; and his progeny account for the Indiana host
of William Lee’s descendants.
George Walter Fulkerson is said
to have been the prime force behind the inception of the Fulkerson
Reunion which celebrates the heritage of the Ohio-Indiana Fulkerson
clan every year on the third Sunday of August. The reunion was
begun in 1925; and last August, twenty-three of William Lee and Nancy’s
descendants met at Glen Miller Park in Richmond Indiana for the 75th edition. (A few gatherings have been missed over the years: WWII, etc.). George Walter farmed for many years in Knox Township of Jay County,
Indiana. He was known locally for his home, a two story farm
house made of cement block. Mary died in 1922 and George Walter
died 1942; they are buried together in the Odd Fellows Cemetery but
half a mile north of the previously noted and smaller Mt. Tabor plot.
