Luther D. Fulton
Born: 28 Oct 1869
Born Where: Cherrytree, Venango, PA
Died: 2 Apr 1941
Died Where: Titusville, Crawford, PA
Father: David Fulton
Spouse (maiden name): Katherine A. Cox
b: 01 Sep 1872; d: 07 Jan 1960;
Marriage Date: 20 Sep 1890
Married Where: Titusville, Crawford, PA
Children: Hazelle G. Fulton
b: 28 Aug 1891, PA; d: 02 Mar 1953, PA
General info:
Luther was born Cherrytree Township, Venango County, Penesyvania in his parent's house which was within a hundred feet of the Drake Oil Well. His father David was an oil producer and contractor and was well known in the area. After attending the local Titusville schools through grade and high school, he also took courses at Clark's Business School. He then joined his father in the oil producing business as partner under the name of David Fulton & Son.
After a disasterous fire and flood in 1892 devastated his father's business he joined the Manhattan Oil Company as a supervising engineer until 1896. He then went on to work for Carbondale Machine Co. and was assigned to the Isthmus of Panama Canal Zone. He was the first to produce artificial ice in Panama during his tenure there.
After the turn of the century he returned north and became associated with Mr. Suhr and the Pennzoil Company in Oil City as manager of the parafin department. He soon won promotion to general foreman and helped to rebuild the Pennzoil refinery, eventually becoming the general superintendent of Pennzoil Properties.
Luther was an inventor and held several patents on oil industry devices such as the Fulton Filter Screen, the Fulton Lock Box, the Fulton Still Safety Valve, and Fulton chilling machines. He was a member of the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania.
Civic affairs and good citizenship were important interests to Luther. He was the mayor of Titusville from 1936 to 1940. During World War I he was chairman of the Fuel Board. He was a member of the IOOF, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Titusville Country Club, and the Lions Club. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and served as a vestryman.
Luther married Katherine Cox on 20 Sep 1890. Katherine was the daughter of William and Mary (Metcalf) Cox, and was born in Withersfield, England. They had one daughter, Hazelle Fulton who married Charles Cron in 1909 and later John Pierce in 1927. Hazelle had no children.
Portions of the text above are from the History of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Joseph Riesenman, 1943.
1869 Birth Titusville, PA
1880 Census: Titusville, PA
1900 Census: Titusville, PA
1910 Census: Titusville, PA
1920 Census: Titusville, PA
1930 Census: Titusville, PA
1941 Death Record: Titusville, Crawford, PA
image: Luther D. Fulton
Luther D. Fulton (Picture of Titusville City Hall photo courtesy of Jason Oberg)
image: Hazelle Fulton (daughter) & Katherine Cox Fulton (wife)
Hazelle Fulton (daughter) & Katherine Cox Fulton (wife) (Picture courtesy of the Drake Well Museum)
image: 402 West Main Street, Titusville, PA (2008)
The L. D. Fulton home at 402 West Main Street, Titusville, PA (2008)
Gravesite: Woodlawn Cemetery, Titusville, PA; Lot No.: ; Section: ; Grave: