In Brockville, Ontario, George Taylor Fulford wasn’t about to follow the well-trodden path. Born in 1852 to a family skilled in the art of hustle — from innkeeping to marble dealing — George was the runt of the litter with the loftiest of ambitions. Growing up in this mix of grit and grind, George was fueled by a desire to forge his own path. He was determined to carve a name for himself out of something a bit lighter than stone.
George Fulford. Photo property of the Ontario Heritage Trust
Enter Mary Wilder White (born 1856), the Wisconsin socialite who caught George's eye. Despite her parents' attempts to keep her away from the working-class Brockville boy, love (and his ability to make tons of money) prevailed through a decade of letter-writing. Their union, marked by perseverance and passion, led to a family saga filled with ambition, tragedy, and triumph.