The first settlement in Fletcher was made by Robert Throssel and son, in the spring of 1867. They were followed by Joseph Parkinson, Noah Borah, Wm. Johnston, Thomas Waddicor, and Geo. Trainer, who settled on the east and south of the lake. W. A. Robinson came in the year 1869, and settled on a farm three miles from the present town site. This town was laid out by J. C. Fletcher, in 1880. The town was named after him. The first house on the town site was moved from Wall Lake by W. H. Robinson in the fall of 1880. J. C. Fletcher and Harry Seevers
    The town of Fletcher is situated in Wall Lake Township, Section 33, and is located on the west side of Wall Lake. This beautiful, placid sheet of water is about three miles in length, and one- fourth of a mile in width. It is said to have derived its name from the fact that the surrounding country is much lower than the surface of the Lake, which is surrounded by a wall of earth and gravel about four feet above the surface of the water. This Lake, in its onward course, does not extend in a direct line, but in such a manner as to form a kind of a horse-shoe shape. The water is as clear as crystal, and abounds in fish of different kinds, and is a most beautiful sight to behold. This location will, in no far distant future, become a beautiful summer resort. . opened the first store in Fletcher. Then followed C. E. Gard and A. J. Thompson. W. H. Robinson erected the first elevator in 1881. J. P. Therkleson opened a hardware store in 1881. The first hotel was opened by W. H. Robinson in 1880. and was known as the Lake House.
    The first lumber yard was opened by H. L. Briggs. The first postmaster was W. A. Robinson, who was appointed in December, 1880. He is also the present postmaster.
    The railroad was completed to this point in the fall of 1879. The depot was erected in the fall of 1880.
    The population of the town is now estimated at 300. This town contains: Three general stores, two hardware, one furniture, one lumber yard, one meat market, one hotel, two saloons, one barber, two elevators, two agricultural implement warehouses, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one livery stable, one drug store, one boot and shoe store, one restaurant.
    There is no regular organized religious sect in this place. The Baptists hold meetings every Sabbath; W. X. McKendrick serves in the capacity of pastor, this society contemplate building a church this spring, when it is hoped they will have a regular organization.

Fletcher School.—A school of twenty four pupils, with Miss Anna Searle as teacher, is held in Fletcher. There is no school building.
 

Early Residents Biographies
[contributed by: Barb Z. 2008]

W. H. Ball, of the firm of W. H. Ball & Co., dealers in grain and seed, was born in Cedar county, Iowa., in 1853. He was engaged in the grain business at Centerdale, Clinton county, for nine years. In 1880 came to Fletcher and was the first to locate business there. D. C.

Cook, M. D., of the firm of L. A. Chapman & Co., druggists, was born in N. Y. in May, 1850. He received preparatory -education at Mt. Vernon, Iowa., and graduated from the State University at Iowa City in March, 1873. He commenced the practice of medicine at Calamus. In Aug., 1881, he moved to Fletcher and formed present partnership. They carry a complete line of drugs, paints, oils, toilet articles, etc.

Albert Davis, station agent and proprietor of the Lake House, came to Sac county in March, 1877, from Clinton county, la. He purchased land in Wall Lake township. At the time of the tornado of April 21st of same year, he was living in a portion of his barn, which was entirely destroyed together with his household goods, his family happily escaping unhurt. He afterwards built a house 20x30 feet in dimensions and had just got settled in it when it was entirely destroyed by the tornado of Oct. 15th, of same year. In Dec., 1881, he moved to Fletcher and built the hotel. He carries a stock of confectionery, cigars and fancy groceries.

J. C. Fletcher, founder of the new town of Fletcher, was born in Franklin, Ind., in 1849; the same year moved with parents to Oskaloosa, Iowa. He enlisted in 1864 in the 47th la. In ft., and served until the close of the war. He returned to Oskaloosa, and in 1873 moved to Sheffield where he engaged in business for two years, then moved to Wall Lake, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In Oct., 1880, he purchased the town site of Fletcher which he laid out in town lots and placed in the market, now it is a lively
growing town and is situated near a beautiful lake. Mr. Fletcher formed a partnership in March, 1881, with H. W. Seevers, built a business house on Main street and engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Seevers was born in Oskaloosa in 1859 and came to this place in the spring of 1880.

 C. P. Hicks, of the firm of W. H. Ball & Co., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in Oct., 1848. He graduated at the Bryant & Stratton College and was for several years in the employ of a commission house in Philadelphia, as bookkeeper and entry clerk. He moved to Cedar county, Iowa., in 1874; thence to Sac county in Mar- 1881, purchased land near Fletcher and engaged in present business. From Aug., 1881, to Feb., 1882, they shipped sixty cars of grain.

Rev. William N. McKendrick, undertaker and dealer in furniture was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1832; came to America with parents and located in N. Y. In 1847 he moved to Western N. Y. He attended the Baptist College, of Montreal, Canada, for three years, and entered the University in 1859. He was ordained in Michigan, Sept. 20th, 1875. He located at Mapleton, la., is 1879, and was pastor of the Baptist church there for two years. He resigned in Sept., 1881; came to Fletcher, purchased property and engaged in present business. He is pastor here and preaches every Sabbath at the school house.

Charles Potts, farmer and land agent, was born in Ross county. 0., in 1832. He served during the war of the rebellion in the 28th Ill. Vol. Inf., was wounded at Jackson, Miss. He came to Sac county in 1871 and purchased land on the north shore of Wall Lake. He owns one hundred acres of well improved land one and one half miles east of Fletcher. He is agent for nonresident lands in this vicinity, also for the Acme pulverizing harrow and clod crusher.

J. O. Rich, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stables, was formerly of Independence,. lowa., where he was engaged as mason and plasterer for four years. In 1878 he moved to Sac county, purchased land in Wall Lake township, which he still owns. In Feb., 1882, he moved to Fletcher and erected a livery barn on Third st.

W. A. Robinson, postmaster and hardware merchant, was born in Vt. in 1815. He moved to Stockbridge, Mass., when quite young; in 1856 moved to Mercer county, IlI., and engaged in farming until 1869; then moved to Sac county, purchased land in Viola township, which he improved and still owns. He moved to Fletcher in Jan., 1882, and filled the office of postmaster, to which he was appointed in Dec., 1881. He erected building on Main st., which is occupied by post office and hardware stock. Mr. Robinson has filled many minor offices, was the first justice of the peace in Viola township. He has a notary public commission. and does a general collecting business, is agent for several insurance companies

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