Fulton was born near Carnmoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and was educated at Queen's College, Belfast. Appointed to Manchuria in 1884 and stationed at Newchwang (Yingkou), he spent much time in pioneer evangelism over a wide area. He may have opened more stations and churches than any other missionary of his time in Manchuria. In 1899 he joined the staff of Union Theological College, Mukden (Shenyang), and spent most of the rest of his missionary career in theological education. He retired in 1941.