JOHN J. FLETCHER
Page 674
JOHN J. FLETCHER
Page 674
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JOHN J. FLETCHER. Within the limits of Mason County there is probably no man whose landed possessions are larger than those belonging to Mr. Fletcher, a prosperous and popular citizen of Lynchburg Township. Since settling there he has from time to time added to his property until he now owns fourteen hundred and eighteen acres, of which the greater portion in improved. He is also the owner of about one-third the real estate included within the corporate limits of Bath, and has valuable property in Havana. Of English birth and parentage, our subject is the son of James Fletcher, who came to this county about 1854, and made his home with John J. until his death. Here also occurred the death of the mother about 1884. The paternal grandfather, a native of England, bore the name of William Fletcher; he was born in 1780 and died in 1856. Our subject is the eldest of eight children, of whom the other survivors are: William, a resident of Mason City; Charlotte, who is married and lives in Easton, Ill., Joseph, of Bath, who is married and has four children; Mrs. Martha Hawkins, living in Franklin, Ill.; and T. M., of Lynchburg Township. In Yorkshire, England, the subject of this sketch was born in the 28th of April, 1820, and early in life he became self supporting. When a lad of twelve years he began to earn his livelihood, and for one year worked in the employment of a farmer, who paid him L2 10s. The following year his wages were increased to L3. In the spring of 1844, dissatisfied with the prospects offered in England, he crossed the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, landing in New Orleans, whence he proceeded to St. Louis. After a short sojourn there he went to Iris Landing, in Scott County, Ill., and soon afterward entered the employ of R. Southwell, a farmer living near Winchester, that county. His salary was $9 per month during that summer, but in 1845 he received an advance in wages of $2, working in the employ of John Thompson. In 1846 he worked on the farm of James Cotton, near Winchester, who paid him $16 per month. In the fall of 1856 Mr. Fletcher was employed in husking corn for Mrs. Hannah (Kay) Briggs, and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into an esteem and affection resulting in their marriage at Carrollton, Ill. Mrs. Fletcher's father was a carpenter and cabinet-maker of Homefurth, England. She was married in that country to a Mr. Briggs, whom in 1835 she accompanied to America, settling in St. Louis, where he died soon afterward. By that union she had six children, while her marriage to Mr. Fletcher resulted in the birth of one son, James J., now a resident of Bath, who married a daughter of William Patterson, of that city. Settling near Winchester in 1856, Mrs. Fletcher there bought forty acres, but two years later disposed of the property and with her husband came to Lynchburg Township. After cultivating a rented farm for two years, they purchased forty acres, upon which they made a cash payment of $300, the remaining amount being paid on the installment plan. This was the nucleus of the present possessions of Mr. Fletcher. The farm is finely improved, contains large and substantial buildings, and is surrounded with a near hedge fence. A Democrat in political views, Mr. Fletcher has served as Supervisor for two terms, County Surveyor one year, and Justice of the Peace for a period of sixteen years. He has been identified with Lynchburg Township from the early days of its settlement. He enjoys the distinction of having operated the first horse corn sheller ever used in this township, the machine shelling fifteen hundred bushels the first day. He has worn our three Alton threshing machines, three flag reapers, two hodger headers, two McCormick reapers and two corn shellers. Which proves that he has been a very active and busy man. When Mr. Fletcher came to this county game was plentiful, and, as he was an unerring shot, many a fine day's sport did he enjoy, usually accompanied by Colonel West, Doc O'Neil and John Connover. On his place were always to be found several hunting dogs, as well as a number of fine guns. One time during the '50s he was out on nine days' hunt, killing six deer, with a double barreled gun. About the same time a herd of six deer was noticed on the island opposite Bath, and our subject, crossed on the ice, killed five of the herd in a few days. Though now past his seventy-fourth year he still goes on an occasional hunting expedition, and his enjoinment of the sport is almost as keen as it was forty years ago. Failing sight, however, renders his aim less unerring that formerly, but he is still considered one of the best shots in the county. At present he has three rifles and four double-barreled shot guns, one breach loading that cost $200 and another $65. He takes great pride in keeping his funs in good order and has a fine glass case in which they are kept. In addition to the elegant residence in which he lives Mr. Fletcher owns several tenement houses, one a brick structure. He has two wind mills on the home place, and the improvements he has added to the farm have cost $5,000. Six hundred acres are cultivated under his direct supervision, and in his agricultural affairs he has been most successful. In the spring of 1894 he sold four thousand bushels of corn, which he put on board the cars two miles east of his place. Two days later he loaded in the cars at the place fourteen hundred bushels of wheat, using eight teams. A man of great energy and tireless perseverance he is still as active as when is life's prime. He is held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances, and is recognized as one of the foremost citizens of the county. |