USA > Indiana > Memorial and genealogical record of Representative Citizens of Indiana > Part 2
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the previous administration had horded in the treasury, and re- stored them to proper circulation in the channels of trade and commerce. He prevented the passage of a free and unlimited silver coinage act, thus saved the country from certain evils which such an act would have entailed. The question of Chinese immigration was settled for ten years. Four new states were admitted. Oklahoma was opened to settlement, and reservation after reservation added to the public lands. No other President ever stood so firmly for purity and freedom of the suffrage. His was a business administration.
After his term of office expired, Mr. Harrison, while avoiding the whirlpools of politics, continued to be active in civic affairs, and he continued to grow greater and greater in public estima- tion. His law practice grew large and in importance and he was retained in a number of notable cases, one of which was that of the dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela, he represent- ing the latter, and the matter was settled to the entire satisfaction of Venezuela.
The death of Benjamin Harrison occurred after a brief ill- ness on March 13, 1901, the announcement of which cast the nation in gloom, for he was universally loved and admired.
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STOUGHTON J. FLETCHER.
One of the most conspicuous figures in the recent history of Indianapolis was the late Stoughton J. Fletcher, a man actively identified with the business and industrial interests of the city, and for many years widely known as one of the leading financiers of Indiana. Equally noted as a citizen whose career, useful and honorable, conferred credit upon the community and whose marked abilities and sterling qualities won for him much more than local repute, he held distinctive precedence as one of the most progressive and successful men that ever inaugurated and carried to praiseworthy termination large and important under- takings in this locality. Strong mental powers, invincible cour- age and a determined purpose that hesitated at no opposition so entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the business world and a leader of men in large enterprises. He was essentially a man of affairs, sound of judgment, keen dis- cernment and farseeing in what he undertook, and every enter- prise to which he addressed himself resulted in liberal material rewards. His extensive business interests were the legitimate fruitage of consecutive effort, directed and controlled not only by good judgment but also by correct moral principles. He forged his way to the front over obstacles that would have discouraged men of less heroic mettle, gradually extending the limits of his mental horizon until he was not only one of the leading financiers of this section of the state, but also one of the best developed intellectually, having always been a student and kept fully abreast of the times, and one of the most influential in civic and social circles, worthy in every respect of the high esteem in which he was universally held.
Stoughton J. Fletcher was born in Indianapolis, in 1851, and was the son of Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr., and Julia (Bullard) Fletcher. Owing to the prominence of the father and the Fletcher ancestry it is deemed advisable to here give at some length a rec- ord of the same before proceeding with biographical memoir of the immediate subject of this review.
Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr., was born in Ludlow, Vermont, August 22, 1808, the youngest of fifteen children born to Jesse and
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Imcy (Keyes) Fletcher, who were numbered among the first set- tlers of Ludlow, whither they removed from their native state of Massachusetts and where they passed the residue of their lives. He was reared in his home community, and he received excellent educational advantages, according to the standard of the locality at that period. His brother Calvin had become a resident of In- dianapolis in 1821, and was the first lawyer of the little village in the wilderness. In 1831, when twenty-three years old, Stoughton A. Fletcher likewise left the old home in Vermont and cast his fortunes in the frontier embryonic city in the heart of Indiana. IIe came here with little capital, but with ambition and a willing- ness to work, and upon his arrival here he secured a position as clerk in a general store, and later engaged in the same line of enterprise on his own responsibility, becoming one of the pioneer inerehants of Indianapolis. He met with financial success, and in 1839 he opened a private banking establishment, thus becoming one of the city's first bankers. He opened his bank in a small room on Washington street, and from this little establishment he evolved a banking business which has long held precedence as one of the largest and most important in the entire state. He had the sagacity to make his banking facilities keep pace with the growth and development of the city, and his large success in this field stands to his lasting credit as an able financier. He amassed one of the largest fortunes and most appreciable estates to be noticed in connection with the annals of the city of Indianapolis, and upon his career as a citizen and business man there rests no shadow, for he possessed that sterling integrity and honor that dominated and guided his course; lacking these, such suceess could not have been achieved, in that popular confidence and good will are req- uisite concomitants that are not accorded unless deserved. He wielded large and generous influence in connection with the civic development and progress of the city in which his interests were so long centered, and his loyalty was of the most insistent order. Though he never consented to become a candidate for public office, his aid and influence were ever given to the support of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. The banking business that he established nearly three quarters of a century ago has been continued without interruption, but with various changes, regulated by commercial expediency and by the demands born of eivic progress. Thus it is most consonant that his name is perpetuated in the Fletcher American National
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Bank of the present day, and the same stands as a lasting monn- ment to his great skill and finesse as a financier as well as to his rectitude and sterling worth as a man.
Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr., was thrice married, first with Maria Knapp, who was born and reared in the state of New York, of which union two daughters, who still survive, were born, Mrs. Laura K. Hyde and Mrs. Maria F. Ritzinger. Mr. Fletcher's second wife was known in her maidenhood as Julia Bullard, a native of Massachusetts, Stoughton J., the immediate subject of this memoir, having been one of the five children born to this union, only one of whom, Allen M., of the ancestral homestead in Vermont, survives. After the death of his second wife, Mr. Fletcher was united in marriage with Mrs. Julia A. Johnson, who survived him a number of years, living in Indianapolis until her death; this union was without issue.
The death of Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr., occurred on March 17, 1882, having attained the psalmist's allotted three score years and ten.
The genealogy of this family may be traced back to Robert Fletcher, who was a native of one of the northern counties of Eng- land, probably Yorkshire. He emigrated to America and settled at Concord, Massachusetts, in 1630, where his death occurred on April 3, 1677, when eighty-five years of age, leaving four sons, Francis, Luke, William and Samuel. Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr.'s father, Jesse Fletcher, was a son of Timothy Fletcher, of West- ford, Massachusetts, and he was born in that town on November 9, 1763, and was preparing for college under his elder brother, the Rev. Elijah Fletcher, of Hopkinton, New Hampshire, when the war for independence came on and interrupted liis progress. He joined thic patriot army and served in two campaigns of six or eight months each toward the close of the war. Jesse's brother, Elijah, was the pastor of the church in Hopkinton from January 23, 1773, until his death, April 8, 1786. The second daughter of Rev. Elijalı Fletcher was Grace, a most accomplished and attrac- tive person, who became the first wife of the great American statesman and orator, Daniel Webster. Col. Fletcher Webster, who fell at the head of his regiment in the second battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862, received at his christening the family name of his mother. The daughter of Grace's brother, Timothy Fletcher, became the wife of Dr. Brown-Sequard, the famous
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specialist of Paris, France. Jesse Fletcher was about eighteen years old when he married Lucy Keyes, of Westford, who was born on November 15, 1765, being therefore hardly sixteen years of age when she married. The young couple emigrated from Westford to Ludlow, Vermont, about the year 1783, and were among the first settlers of the place. From that time until the day of his death, in February, 1831, Jesse Fletcher lived on the same farm. He became influential in public affairs and held a number of local offices there, and in that town all of his fifteen children except the eldest were born. His widow survived until 1846.
Stoughton J. Fletcher, of this review, was the third Stough- ton Fletcher that has lived in Indianapolis, beginning with Stoughton A., Sr., then Stoughton A., Jr., who is also deceased, the latter being the nephew of the former; the fourth is Stoughton A., the son of Stoughton J .; the fifth Stoughton is the young son of Stoughton A. and a grandson of Stoughton J.
Stoughton J. Fletcher grew up under his parental roof-tree and received the advantages of a liberal education, and he began his business career when only eighteen years old, taking up bank- ing in Indianapolis. At that time he had just returned to Indi- anapolis from Waltham, Massachusetts, where he had been in school and he took a position in the banking institution now known as the Fletcher American National Bank. After working as a clerk for some time he was promoted to the position of paying teller, which he held for a long time. He inherited a half interest in the bank when his father died in 1882. Before that time the bank was owned by Stoughton A. Fletcher, Sr., and Francis M. Churchman, and was a private institution. Allen M. Fletcher took over the interest of Mr. Churchman in 1882, and then he, with his brother, Stoughton J., managed it for several years. Later Stoughton J. became the sole owner of the bank, and it was conducted as a private institution until 1898, when it was changed to the national plan and became known as the Fletcher National Bank. Some of the stock was sold at that time, but Stoughton J. Fletcher continued as practically sole owner, and was president of the institution until his health began to fail, about 1904. He was then succeeded by his son, Stoughton A. Fletcher. In the summer of 1911 the Fletcher National Bank was merged with the American National Bank, under the name of the Fletcher Ameri-
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can National Bank, which is now considered one of the leading banking houses of the Middle West.
As a banker Stoughton J. Fletcher believed in devoting all his time to his banking business. When he was actively connected with the bank he usually reached his office at seven o'clock each morning and at one o'clock each afternoon had returned from lunch. At three o'clock each afternoon he ceased work in his office. He kept up this daily routine of work for years. It was said of him that he would do a day's work before the employes would reach the bank. Mr. Fletcher managed his bank to the exclusion of everything else and took practically no time for out- side work. He was not fond of travel and for many years did not leave the bounds of Indiana, preferring to remain at home with his family, his home life having been ideal.
Failing health compelled Mr. Fletcher to give up the banking business some four or five years prior to his death, and he bought a large farm adjacent to Gallatin, Tennessee, twenty-six miles northeast of Nashville. This farm he called Laurel, in memory of his wife, who preceded him to the grave twenty-five years. She was known in her maidenhood as Lizzie Laurel Locke, daugh- ter of Josiah Locke and wife. She and Mr. Fletcher were married thirty-five years prior to his death, and until her death they lived at Ohio and New Jersey streets.
At his Gallatin farm he devoted most of his time to stock raising. On the farm is a palatial residence, and he lived there with a number of servants. Occasionally he visited in Indian- apolis. Laurel farm was kept highly improved, and was well stocked with thoroughbred horses. On the farm are a number of substantial and convenient barns and a mile race track.
Although living a secluded life, seldom leaving the farm or receiving callers, he showed a great interest in the town of Gal- latin. Shortly before his death he started the construction of a large hotel building there.
Mr. Fletcher's death occurred at his farm on Saturday, De- cember 25, 1909, when he was fifty-eight years old, and thus ended the life of one of the most successful bankers Indianapolis has ever known, having been at the time of his death vice-president of the Fletcher National Bank and practically the sole owner. He also owned the bank property, the old Fletcher homestead at Ohio and New Jersey streets, where he was born and reared, other Indi-
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anapolis real estate and stock in several corporations, besides his valuable estate of several hundred acres at Gallatin, Tennessee. Ilix wealth was estimated at over a million dollars.
Aside from Stoughton A. Fletcher, the son, three daughters survive, namely: Mrs. Julia Fletcher Barnard, of Pasadena, Cali- fornin; Mrs. Louisa Laurel Tarkington, and Miss Hilda Fletcher, all of Indianapolis.
The funeral of Mr. Fletcher was held in Indianapolis on De- rember 28, 1909, and interment was made in Crown Hill cemetery.
HON. WILLIAM FLEMING.
It is the dictate of our nature no less than of enlightened social policy to honor the illustrious dead; to bedew with affee- tionate tears the silent urn of departed genius and virtue; to un- burden the fullness of the surcharged heart in eulogium upon deceased benefactors, and to rehearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after us. It has been the com- mendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen. The biographers of some great men say that they grew ashamed of their lowly origin and wished never to be reminded of their early years; but the late William Fleming, for over a quarter of a century one of Indiana's prominent citizens, was of too simple and sincere a mould to affect any such weakness. He was proud of his humble begin- nings, because they showed how high he had climbed, and more than that, they fitted in with his hopeful, helpful philosophy of human life that merit will have its reward and that in this free country, which he loved, although born under an alien flag, and early taught other customs and manners, young men may still look forward to success and honor as confidently as at any time in its history as the prizes of fidelity, courage and indomitable energy. An humble son of Erin, of the lowliest beginnings, he nevertheless belonged to the highest nobility of the race. No ae- cident made his career; no opportunity offered itself to him. He made his opportunity; he achieved every step of his career, often in the face of obstacles that would have overwhelmed souls of less sterling mettle. The basic principle by which he strove and con- quered was loyalty; when he recognized a duty, the service gave him joy, a joy that was second only to the consciousness of work well done. He was universally recognized as a splendid citizen, one of Fort Wayne's leading men of affairs, progressive in all that the term implies; a man of lofty character, sturdy integrity and unswerving honesty. During the pioneer period he shared fully the trials and difficulties known to the early settlers of a new country. He was one of the sturdy figures upon which the burdens of the new community fell, and he bore his part in the general upbuilding of the same manfully and well, and the record
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of those days is one of tireless and unselfish devotion. Truly the good he did lives after him.
William Fleming was born in the famous vale of Avoca, county Wicklow, Ireland, having been born not far south of the vity of Dublin, on June 17, 1828, and he was the son of Luke and Sarah (Ilolt) Fleming. He was the second of a family of ten children. Until fourteen years of age he attended the national school in his native country, and was then sent to Dublin to con- tinne his studies. When he was eighteen years old the family emigrated to America, arriving safely, after a tedious voyage, at Quebec, Canada, but while lying in quarantine in that harbor, the father and four of the children died. The bereaved mother, with the three surviving children, all boys, then came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she passed her remaining days, dying at the age of sixty-nine years. William Fleming had the responsibility of car- ing for his mother and the rest of the family. Never having any responsibilities before, he found the experience very trying; but he went to work with a will and learned the stone cutter's trade under James Humphrey, specializing as a carver. A man pos- sessed of such force of character as he was could not, however, content himself in that occupation, and it was but a short time until the young man was laying the groundwork of a fortune and of a life of eminence and honor. He was naturally endowed for a higher place, and sought to put to the best use the talents that had been given him. For a time he engaged in teaching school. He pos- sessed a warm, genial nature and soon made friends of all his ac- quaintances, and it was not long before he impressed himself upon the community as a young man of rare natural attributes and fine promise. He was very industrious and temperate in his habits, of quick perception, energetic, ambitious and honorable.
Mr. Fleming soon interested himself in politics and became identified with the Democratic party, of which he was destined to become one of the leading spirits. He was still a very young man when he was elected marshal of Fort Wayne. The marshal was then the only peace officer of the town-the sole guardian of the lives and property of the people, by day and night. Here, as in most frontier towns, there was a rough and disorderly element, which occasionally broke out in violent demonstrations and had been in the habit of having things its own way upon such occa- sions. This element soon discovered that in the young marshal it had more than a match. His determination, firmness and courage
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gave him an easy victory the first time his official duty brought him in conflict with these roughs, and so long as he remained marshal they were kept in complete subjection. Subsequently he was appointed by Sheriff McMullen as a deputy in that office, and, having continued to perform his duties most faithfully, he was elected sheriff of Allen county for two terms, or nearly two, having been appointed to fill out an unexpired term and later elected to a second term. He then served two terms, or eight years, as county clerk, retiring from the latter office in 1866. For the next twelve years Mr. Fleming never held nor sought any official position, but in 1878 he was nominated by the Democrats for state treasurer and was duly elected. In 1880 he was re- nominated, but suffered defeat with the remainder of the ticket. This ended his official career. He was a prominent factor in the councils of his party and during his active political life was in- variably a delegate to the Democratic national conventions. He had been recognized for more than a quarter of a century as the leader of the Democratic party in the northern part of the state, and one of its leaders in Indiana. He was a Democrat who was sincerely attached to his party, who warmly cherished its prin- ciples, and who was faithful to it through good and evil report. No man ever lived in Indiana who was his superior in the faculty of organization. He was, indeed, a born leader of men. His knowledge of human nature was extraordinary. He read men at a glance, and without employing any of the arts of flattery or demagogism, or seeming to strive for their favor, he won them to him and influenced their words and actions unconsciously to themselves. In his death the Democratic party in this state lost one who had been a tower of strength to it for nearly a genera- tion. While he was a strong partisan, he was not offensive, nor did he antagonize those who held views different to his own. He carried into politics that same sagacity and shrewdness which characterized him in his business transactions. He was a trusted leader of his party, and as such his advice was sought not only by the leaders throughout the state, but in the nation as well. He was frequently made a member of the Democratic state central committee, and he possessed a thorough knowledge of men and measures, always cognizant of the best methods of obtaining suc- cess. In all positions of public trust he served with distinction and credit to himself and his party. His judgment is said to have had more weight in the deliberations of the state central commit-
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ter than that of any man in the state. For years he was the rec- ognized head of his party in his home city and county, and so long as he was its leader that party never knew defeat in either vity or county.
But Mr. Fleming was something more than a politician. In- dred, although he had never lost his taste for or his interest in the contests of politics, he had been for many years more actively identified with business than with polities, and as a business man he had few equals in Fort Wayne and the northeastern section of Indiana, and no superiors, being industrious, enterprising and successful in all he undertook. He had a rare genius for affairs. He was a man of keen penetration, of great foresight, of untiring sagacity, of peculiar aptitude for combination and organization. llis sound judgment of men and values, his extensive knowledge of practical matters, his nerve, courage and pluck made him a great force in the world of commerce and finance, as great, in- deed, as he was in that of politics. He was a financier of great skill. He was largely engaged in banking, manufacturing and kindred enterprises for many years, and at his death was the con- trolling spirit in half a dozen of the most important business un- dertakings in the state. He was one of the originators of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis railroad and was a director of that road until it was sold to the Vanderbilt interests. He was for a long time editor and proprietor of the Fort Wayne Sentinel, and the policy of the paper under his management was always such as to command respect, not only from his own party, but from his political opponents as well. He was for some time treasurer of the Indiana School Book Company, president of the Salimonie Mining and Gas Company, vice-president and acting president of the First National Bank of Fort Wayne, and was probably the largest individual stockholder in each of the three banks of the city. In both an official capacity and as a stock- holder he was interested in a large number of the greatest indus- tries and corporations in this city. He was president of the Hart- ford City Paper Company. He was actively engaged in these matters until his death. There are few public enterprises in Fort Wayne but what in some way show the genius and forethought of Mr. Fleming, and being closely identified with many of them, he consequently amassed large wealth. He was always enterpris- ing and public spirited, building up and advancing the city-his home-wherever and whenever the opportunity was offered. He
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was not a lover of money for its own sake. He did not hoard it. But he was fond of the excitement of money making. He liked to plan and execute great business projects, and especially those which had an element of novelty and presented risks and ob- stacles which would deter a less courageous and resourceful man from engaging in them.
William Fleming was twice married. In January, 1850, he led to the hymeneal altar Anna MeLaughlin, who passed away on August 18, 1854, leaving two children, Luke M., who was for some time an assistant to Warden Murdock, at the penitentiary in Michigan City, Indiana, and Mary E., who married Dr. L. J. Willien, one of the leading physicians of Terre Haute, and to them these children were born, Dr. William F. Willien, of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Gertrude Riemau, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Helen I. Willien, Mrs. Fred Eisenman, of Boston, and Leon J. Willien. The second marriage of Mr. Fleming took place on July 7, 1859, when he wedded Helen Frances Mayer, of Fort Wayne, a daughter of George and Catherine (Hiller) Mayer, natives of Germany. She was one of seven children and, besides herself, but one survives, Mrs. John H. Fleming, of Indianapolis, who is a widow.
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