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Higher Office(s) Served: Representative

ALVAN T. FULLER, the fifty-second governor of Massachusetts, was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 27, 1878. His early education was attained in the public schools of his native state, and later at the Burdett's Business College in Boston. After establishing a successful bicycle shop in Malden, Fuller went into the car dealership business. By 1920, he owned the most successful car dealership in the world. Fuller entered politics in 1915, serving as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, a position he held until 1917. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1917 to 1921, and was the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1921 to 1925. After securing the Republican gubernatorial nomination, Fuller won election to the governorship in 1924. He was reelected to a second term in 1925. During his tenure, a budget deficit was reduced; state agencies were restructured; and the controversial Sacco and Vanezzeti murder case was dealt with. After completing his term, Fuller left office on January 3, 1929, and retired from public service. Fuller never cashed a paycheck from any of the political offices he held. He later gave them to his children as a remembrance of his political life. Governor Alvan T. Fuller passed away on April 30, 1958, and his cremated ashes were buried in the East Cemetery in Rye Beach, New Hampshire. 

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Interactive State House

Fuller Foundation