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C. Jacob Fussell (February 24, 1819 – April 10, 1912) was an American manufacturer of ice cream who was known as the first person to commercially distribute ice cream in the United States.
In 1856, Fussell served as a secretary at the 1856 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
In 1856, Fussell opened a factory in Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, the United States Army offered to purchase his operation, but he refused. He expanded to Boston in 1862 and opened a shop on Park Street. He expanded again to New York City and opened a shop at 299 Fourth Avenue on February 3, 1864. In 1870, Fussell added three partners to his business in New York City, Stephen Dunnington, Nathaniel V. Woodhill and James Madison Horton. The business operated as Jacob Fussell and Company and sold ice cream for per gallon to hotels and per gallon for orders of smaller quantities. Horton bought out the other partners and would rename the company as J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company. By 1909, Fussell's factory would produce 30,000 million gallons of ice cream per year. Fussell befriended and taught Perry Brazelton of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, how to make ice cream.
Fussell was an abolitionist and was involved in the Underground Railroad. After the Civil War, Fussell financed a housing development for African Americans called Fussell Court.
Fussell married twice. His second wife did not move with him from New York to Washington, D.C.; however, they did not legally separate. His children included Mordecai T. Fussell, Jacob Jr., Norris, Frank, William and Carrie.
Fussell died on April 10, 1912, at his home at 1457 14th Street NW in Washington, D.C. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery.
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