D. A. Fletcher (1831-1918)

FLETCHER, MAGEE, SHEPHERD

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/11/2009 at 22:56:36

Jackson Sentinel
December 17, 1918

D. A. Fletcher

Maquoketa’s Grand Old Man Answers Final Summons
Since 1856 Had Been Closely Affiliated With Business and Educational Circles in Our City.

A well spent life, every year of which had been marked with activity, honor and well doing is the heritage left loved ones and friends of D. A. Fletcher who passed peacefully away at his home on Maple street Thursday afternoon about 1:30 o’clock, after an illness of several months. Long years of companionship and business association has acquainted Mr. Fletcher with not only nearly every person in our city but with almost every home in the community. Mr. Fletcher loved Maquoketa and its people, and Maquoketa returned that affection. He had cast his lot with us many, many years ago and with keen, active interest had watched the development of our city and country, extending a helping hand toward their uplift at every opportunity.

Although a successful attorney and enjoying a splendid practice in his profession, his deep interest in affairs educational brought him in touch with young and old of all classes, and it was a pleasure to see his delight in the substantial growth being yearly made in our school system. An earnest worker along all lines that tended toward good. Mr. Fletcher has left a city that owes his memory the highest honor. It was men of his character that made our present advantages and opportunities possible, and from his grand life we may draw many lessons that will aid in carrying on the work which he with other good men and women of the early day had so splendidly begun. He took great pride in telling us shortly before his last illness that he was the only one now in active business who was in business here in 1856, and owing to the fact that his entire business career was untainted with any act unprofessional or dishonest, it is little wonder that he looked back upon those long years of labor in our midst with a high degree of satisfaction. Maquoketa is truly better that he had lived; our schools are truly greater and grander because of his long affiliation with them, and the community is richer that his splendid example has been constantly before it.

Obituary

D. A. Fletcher was born in Essex county, New York, May 18, 1831 and was the descendent of early day Puritan folk in which fact he through life took great pride. He received his early education near his home and when a youth entered the University of Vermont from which he graduated in 1852. After graduation he accepted a position as principal of the schools at Pleasant Plains, Tenn., which he held for several years and then decided to return to his home state and take up the study of law, and as he was reading law during his former work, was soon admitted to the bar. In 1855 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Magee at Winchester, Tenn., a teacher in the schools at that place. In 1856 they came to Maquoketa where Mr. Fletcher engaged in the profession of law until 1861, when he was elected principal of the public schools here, holding that position for ten years. In 1866 he was elected county superintendent of schools and served as such for four years. For about twenty years prior to his last illness he had been secretary of the local school board in which capacity he served with great efficiency. All thru life Mr. Fletcher was affiliated with school work and with his profession he coupled his activities toward the progress and betterment of educational work.

Endowed with a wonderful memory he could review the development and growth of our city’s commercial, educational, and religious circles with remarkable accuracy and nothing gave him more pleasure than to relate the incidents of early day life in the community. Mrs. Fletcher preceded him in death a few years ago, and now the husband has gone to join her in a care-free land and we know that this grand old couple are enjoying the reward of well-spent, useful lives.

For many years he had been a member of the Congregational church, the greater portion of which time he had been a deacon, and the church has certainly lost a faithful worker and a most valued member and officer.

Mr. Fletcher leaves to mourn their loss four children, Mrs. Minnie B. Shepherd, wife of the late Rev. Samuel Shepherd; Charles having been with the aged father at home caring for him during the declining years of his life; Henry J., a professor of law in the University of Minnesota, and Dean, a prominent organist in one of the large churches in Minneapolis, also three grandchildren, the Misses Edith and Ruth Shepherd, and Frank Shepherd. For over sixty years he had been an honored member of the Masonic order and at the time of his death was one of the oldest Masons in the state. Truly, Mr. Fletcher was a grand, good man, and although our city is saddened by his death, our city has been enriched by his long life among its people. The funeral was held from the late home Sunday morning at 10 o’clock, Rev. J. G. Morgan officiating, the committal services at Mt. Hope cemetery being conducted by the Masonic order.