early botanists and botanical section. 49 



Joseph B. Fuller. 



Mr. Joseph B. Fuller was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. , October 31, 

 1827, and died in Rochester, February i6th, 1910. 



When he was only three years old his family moved to Rochester, 

 coming by way of the Erie canal and stopping on their arrival at the 

 old Rochester House, on the corner of Exchange and Spring streets, 

 then one of the prominent hostelries of the city. 



At the age of fourteen, Mr. Fuller was apprenticed to the late 

 Henry O'Reilly to learn the printer's trade. Later he was with the 

 Genesee Farmer, published by the late James Vick and edited by the 

 late Patrick Barry. 



Being for years in close relationship with Mr. Vick in the printing 

 office, and the two being drawn together by a mutual love of flowers, 

 it did not require much persuasion to induce him to go into the seed 

 business. In 1863 he entered the employ of Mr. Vick, and continued 

 almost uninterruptedly with the Vick firm from that time until failing 

 health, about a year before his death, necessitated his giving up 

 active work. 



Mr. Fuller's influence in the development of the business was 

 scarcely second to that of Mr. Vick. His whole life was bound up in 

 the work and his whole energy devoted to it. He was a thorough 

 seedsman, far-seeing, conscientious and accurate. His knowledge of 

 stocks was extensive and thorough ; his judgment and accuracy were 

 without equal ; and his honesty unimpeachable. To his perfect 

 integrity and absolute reliability the success of the Vick seed business 

 was in no small degree due. 



Mr. Fuller's geniality was one of his most prominent character- 

 istics. He had a good story apropos to every occasion. His 

 reminiscences of the early days of Rochester, and of the volunteer 

 fire department, of which he was a member for many years, were 

 particularly enjoyable. With his fellow workers in the seed business 

 he was always pleasant, kind, patient and forbearing, with the old-time 

 courtesy of manner. He will always be remembered in the seed house 

 as "the grand old man." 



On entering the seed business, Mr. Fuller soon realized that a 

 knowledge of botany and especially of the local flora would be of great 

 assistance to him in his work, and he entered enthusiastically into the 



