William served in the War of 1812 as a Private in Captain Edwin Lee Gingles Company of Infantry, 7th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops, from 1 Feb. 1814 until 31 July 1814. He spent time in Fort Hawkins and at a camp near Coosa being paid at the rate of $8.00 per month which, with travel and subsistence allowances, amounted to a grand total of $51.67 for six months of service.

William and Ruth farmed in North Carolina until about 1816 when they migrated, with their four children, as part of a family group led by his father to what is now Washington County, Missouri, in a wagon train, only a few years after the Territory of Missouri was organized. There three additional children were born and then, after the birth of son Wilson, William and his brother John moved their families to eastern Tennessee, first to Henry County and then to Madison County. They were probably attracted to that area by a cousin, John, who lived there at the time. William and John first appear on the Madison County tax rolls in 1825. They, and other Fulbrights, are listed in 1826 and none are listed after 1828, at which time William had been listed as having 228 acres of land. Here they operated their large plantation, and two more children were born.

In late 1829 William, Ruth and their children again packed up the wagons with their possessions, and accompanied by about 30 slaves, and once again joined by his brother John s family among others, the group made the long overland journey back to Missouri. They arrived on the Gasconade River, at brother Martin s farm in October of 1829, about nine years after Missouri became a State. Leaving everything in Martin's care, the men went on to the present site of Springfield, Missouri. That area just recently had been opened for settlement, and was where William had first explored earlier.

It is of interest that Henry Schoolcraft, an explorer and geologist, had camped in January of 1819 at Kershner's Spring, near the mouth of Pearson Creek on the James River. This is also the site of an ancient lead smelter operated by Osage Indians, and later by the Phelps family who, in addition to lead, also produced the well known early Missouri Governor. It is believed that William's involvement in those explorations were a factor in his deciding to return to the area. An article in the Springfield Republican, on 16 July 1894, said that Major Weaver, a grandson, mentioned his grandfather recalling how he passed through what is now Greene County in 1819, returning to the East. At about this same time David Fulbright, William s brother, was settling in what was to become Laclede County. In 1830 an Indian village of some 100 wigwams was centered around a spring and an Indian peach orchard located where now the area is bounded by South and Campbell Avenues, Grand and Madison Streets. These were Delaware Indians, a banch of the great Algonquin tribe, one of the most peaceful and friendly tribes in America. Years before, William Penn had dealt with the Algonquins for land, now the Fulbrights would deal with descendants of the same tribe.

The Fulbright party located their future homes and made contracts with the Kickapoo Prairie Indians for land to cultivate, then returned to the river for their slaves and other possessions in order to establish themselves. They first stopped at what was soon to be known as Fulbright Springs, now within the limits of the present city of Springfield, and where they later farmed on the hill to the south of the spring.

By mid February of 1830 along what was then Fulbright Road, and later renamed College Street, and near Jones Spring the family had built their home, the first log cabin in what is now the city of Springfield. It is here that a plaque now marks the location of the old cabin. The brass plaque reads, "About February 1830 William Fulbright erected, near this spot, the first cabin built on the site of the present city of Springfield. At the same time A. J. Burnett built a pole cabin near the natural well and John Fulbright another near Jones Spring. The first church service was held and the first church (Methodist) organized in the cabin of William Fulbright. This street was originally named Fulbright and the settlement was called Campbell and Fulbright Springs. University Club Historical Marker No. 15. June 1929."

The plaque, on College Street and just beyond Fort Avenue, was unveiled during the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the city on 18 June 1929 by the 13 year old great-great-granddaughter of "Uncle Billy", Jean Fulbright. Assisting her was Jean Hamilton, the 10 year old great-great-granddaughter of brother John. Uncle Billie's granddaughter, Marion Bissett (Hoblit) was named "Queen of the Ozarks" and lead the parade for the Centennial Pageant, she was again honored during the celebration of the 150th year of the city.

These first settlers of Springfield lived on land that is now occupied by the city, extending to about where the public square is now located. This area was then open country, covered with grass, with large trees scattered about, full of game, deer and wild turkeys. They were the first to 'break' ground by plowing in the vicinity of a spring located south of where is now College Street and east of Market. They were practical farmers and grew much produce, such as corn, which they sold to the new settlers soon starting to arrive in the area, at an unvarying low price of 50 cents per bushel although the market price was often twice as much.

In 1832 William constructed a grist-mill, the first in the county, at what is now the site of the Fulbright Pumping and Purification Plant which has now been supplying water for the city since 14 May 1957, at which time the city took over management of the city water supply. The plant supplies some four million gallons of water per day to the city and in the rock above the spring is carved the words "Fulbright Springs". The family operated the public grist mill and people came from as far as 50 miles to have grain ground. It was said that when the water was low the mill would only slowly grind out grain for Fulbrights and a neighbor, Lasley, but when the water was plentiful it rattled away merrily grinding for everyone. The grist mill remained in the family for years being later operated by a son, John Lawson, and was rebuilt and expanded in 1860.

William was both the architect and contractor when he built the first church in Springfield in the spring of 1832, an 18 x 20 foot structure called the Kickapoo Meeting House costing a total sum of $18.00. Although built for a Methodist Congregation the building was used by preachers of various denominations. The Court House was also used at that time as a place of worship. Joel H. Hayden (Haden) who organized the Christian Church in the city had preached in the Court House and in the public square before a church was built. Many of the Fulbrights were among the first members of the Christian Church.

The Fulbrights joined with others in selecting a name for the new city being plotted by John Campbell in 1835, the name chosen for a town in Tennessee from which state many of the area settlers had come. The Campbells were also early settlers in the area, arriving just after the Fulbrights, and soon became very prominent in the politics of the area. The Fulbright home was always open to the early settlers and many made it a stopping place; some immigrants staying until they had selected land and made their settlements. William was known far and wide as "Uncle Billy" and easily remembered for his personality as well as for his physical size, as he weighed over 300 pounds. He was a very highly respected citizen, known to be punctual, honest and strict in all his dealings. The family prospered, becoming one of the wealthiest families in the area, having property then valued at about $100,000 at the time of his death. The 1834 Assessor's Book of Greene County lists him as the owner of 19 slaves valued at $4500., 1 horse valued at $300., 85 cattle valued at $700., 13 jacks (mules) at $360., one half of a town lot in Block 5, lot 23 at $250., 2 watches, clocks at $1500., and extensive farm land, possessing more property than any other man in the county. In the previous year he had been listed as the second most prosperous. His estate was administered by sons Ephraim and Henry. Much of the land and the slaves were rented out to the widow and her sons, who were also the most active buyers of estate items when sold on 2 Jan. 1844 The final distribution was made on 1 Jan. 1846.

"Aunt Ruthy" carried on and was well known as a kind and generous lady with an amiable disposition. She was a true Southerner and a dedicated Secessionist, and her place at Fulbright Springs was a rallying point and the scene of much organizing and drilling in early 1861 as the Civil War approached, leading to a time of great trouble for Ruthy and the entire remaining family.

Both William and Ruth became members of the Christian Church, and intensely devoted to their religion. Both were buried in the original family plot near where their home was located, as marked by the plaque mentioned earlier. In 1894 all of the bodies buried there were disinterred and moved to the Hazelwood Cemetery and placed there in a sixteen grave plot with a large central monument. Major Weaver, then the oldest living member of the local Fulbright family, directed the removal and reburial. The original simple stone from the grave of Ruthy inscribed with, "A loving wife a mother dear. A faithful friend lies buried here.", was also moved and in 1995 was still to be found near the new monument. The plot is filled with their children, Rhoda, John, Alexander, Eli, David, Wilson, Samuel, William and Elcana along with some of the wives and some grandchildren.

A son, John Lawson, administered Ruthy's estate, his letters of Administration granted on 11 Sep. 1874 per Vol. G., Page 525, of the Greene County Probate Court records. The property later was apportioned among her heirs.

The children of the couple were: Ephraim Robertson, 1809-1898; Levi Coulter, 1811-1897; Rhoda Madge, 1813-1830; Henry F., 1814-1907; John Lawson, 1816-1882; Alexander Campbell, 1818-1819; Eli, 1820-1839; David Leander, 1821-1876; Wilson, 1823-1852; Samuel, 1825-1877; William D., 1827-1884; Daniel N., 1830-1915; and Elcana, 1833-1835.