Deacon Eli F Fletcher 1820-1908

FLETCHER, STONE, BROCK, EVERETT, STOREY

Posted By: Dana Roquet (email)
Date: 3/25/2011 at 19:11:10

The Allerton News
Thursday Dec 10, 1908

Eli Fletcher was born April 20, 1820, in Washington County, Indiana, and died Nov. 29, 1908, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. S. Everett, in Allerton, Iowa, was the son of William and Sarah Fletcher. His father was a faithful Baptist Minister for fifty years. He was married to Miss Rebecca Stone of Marion county, Indiana, Sept. 10, 1837 To them were born twelve children, five sons and seven daughters; of the children, six are living, J. W. of Shenandoah, Iowa; J. C. of Denver, Colo., I. M. of Tingley, Iowa, Eliza Brock, Corydon, Iowa, Mary Everett, Allerton, Iowa, Minnie Storey, Marysvale, Utah. There were 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grand children.

They continued to reside in Indiana until 1853, when they moved to Wayne county, Iowa, where they spent the remainder of their lives working happily together sharing their joys and sorrows until the loving wife and mother was called home in 1878. Brother Fletcher and his wife united with the Baptist church in 1840. They went down into the water together and were baptized. They united with the South Fork Baptist church in Peoria, Iowa, in 1853. He was ordained a deacon in 1854 and served as such to the Humeston and Peoria churches during the remainder of his active life. He was moderator of the Eden Baptist Association for three consecutive years. He served as chairman of the Sunday school convention for 24 years. Was seven years chairman of the ministers, deacons and laymen's conference and was for 7 years a member of the missionary board for home missions, these being organizations in the Eden Baptist Association.

He attended 52 or 53 of the annual meetings of the association and assisted in the organization of six of the churches in the association. Was a member of the council at the ordination of nine ministers and a number of deacons, was one of the most active workers in the building of the Peoria and Humeston churches, which stand as a monument to his work. He faithfully was raised to the 3rd degree in Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Corydon lodge in 1863, was a member of Humestone lodge at the time of his death. His home was always open to his friends and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances.

Brother Fletcher was a tireless worker in the church and a liberal contributor to the finance and all benevolence of the Mather's work. His life ended without any sign of pain or suffering, just went to sleep to awake in the endless beyond.

Rest remains when all is done—
Work and vigil, prayer and fast,
All fulfilled from first to last,
All the length of time gone past,
And eternity begun.
L. T. Greenlee.

The funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church by Rev. A. E. Clemmons of Seymour, Iowa, assisted by the pastors of other churches.