Henry A. Fletcher
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry Addison Fletcher (December 11, 1839 – April 19, 1897) was an American Civil War veteran, a farmer and a U.S. politician of the Republican Party. He is most notable for his service as the 38th lieutenant governor of Vermont from 1890 to 1892.
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Henry A. Fletcher | |
|---|---|
Burlington Clipper (Burlington, VT), July 17, 1890 | |
| 38th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
| In office October 2, 1890 – October 6, 1892 | |
| Governor | Carroll S. Page |
| Preceded by | Urban A. Woodbury |
| Succeeded by | Farrand Stewart Stranahan |
| Member of the Vermont State Senate from Windsor County | |
| In office 1886–1888 Serving with Chester Pierce, Daniel L. Cushing | |
| Preceded by | Norman Paul, Rollin Amsden, Elwin A. Howe |
| Succeeded by | William E. Johnson, Marsh O. Perkins, Henry J. Parker |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Cavendish | |
| In office 1878–1884 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel W. Hazelton |
| Succeeded by | Nelson G. Piper |
| In office 1867–1869 | |
| Preceded by | Josiah Gilson |
| Succeeded by | Horatio S. Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 11, 1839 |
| Died | April 19, 1897 (aged 57) Cavendish, Vermont, US |
| Resting place | Cavendish Village Cemetery, Cavendish, Vermont, US |
| Party | Republican |
| Profession | Farmer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
Years of service | 1862-1863 |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 16th Vermont Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Early life
Fletcher was born in Cavendish, Vermont on December 11, 1839,[1] the son of Ryland Fletcher and Mary (May) Fletcher.[2] Fletcher was the son and grandson of prominent Vermont politicians; his father was both the Lieutenant Governor (1854–1856) and the Governor (1856–1858) of Vermont.[2] His grandfather, Asaph Fletcher, was a member of the convention which applied to Congress for the admission of Vermont into the Union, and served for several sessions in the Vermont Legislature, was a county judge and presidential elector.[2]
Henry Fletcher grew up on his family's farm in Cavendish, and was educated in the local schools before attending Chester and Black River Academies.[1] After completing his education, Fletcher became a farmer in Cavendish.[1]
Civil War
On August 29, 1862, Fletcher enlisted in the Union Army for the American Civil War and was mustered in as second sergeant of Company C, 16th Vermont Infantry, a unit of the 2nd Vermont Brigade.[2] He was promoted to first sergeant on October 23, 1862, and regimental sergeant major on March 9, 1863.[2] Fletcher was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Company C on April 23, 1863, to date from April 2.[2] He took part in all the 16th Vermont's engagements, including the Battle of Gettysburg, and mustered out when the regiment's enlistments expired on August 10, 1863.[3] After the war, Fletcher was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic,[2] the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, and other veterans organizations.[4]
Postwar life
After the war, Fletcher owned and operated the farm that had started by his grandfather.[1] A Republican, he represented his hometown in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1867, 1868, 1878, 1880 and 1882, and represented Windsor County in the Vermont Senate in 1886.[1] During his legislative career, his committee assignments included banking, railroads, revision of laws, and general affairs.[1]
When Redfield Proctor served as governor from 1878 to 1880, Fletcher served on his military staff as aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel.[1]
In 1890, Fletcher was elected lieutenant governor, and he served from 1890 to 1892, the one term available under the Republican Party's "Mountain Rule".[5] In 1892, Fletcher was a candidate for governor, but lost the Republican nomination to Levi K. Fuller at that year's state party convention.[6] After leaving office, Fletcher continued to operate his farm in Cavendish.[5]
Family
Fletcher never married and had no children.[5]
Death and burial
Fletched died of Bright's disease in Cavendish on April 19, 1897.[5] He was buried at Cavendish Village Cemetery.[7]