The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-06-20

From the Rutland Herald.
THE MEN OF VERMONT.
02.-RYLAND FLETCHER.

eTWOHlS TIC Aduic VI IIctCucT is ldullildI.-
They were among the grantees of the town
of Westminster, and as early as June 1850,
we find them and very few others at that
town clearing the land and making improve
ments, and thus fulfilling the conditions OF
the charter of that town, in order that the
benefits to be derived from the liberal provis-
ions of the charters granted hy Benning
Wentworth, governor of New Hampshire,
might be saved to the proprietors and their
posterity.
Of this name have been some of the most
distinguished and useful men of Vermont;
and the descendants of the Fletcher family
have received the highest honors that state
can give, in other states. Among them we
may mention General Samuel Fletcher, one
of the early settlers of Townshend, who was
the first representative from that town in the
general assembly of Vermont, councillor,
judge and sheriff of Windsor county-and
who was afterwards elected judge Of the
supreme court of Vermont but refused to
serve. Of him we intend hereafter to speak
in detail, and perhaps of some of the other
members of the family. Hon Isaac Fletcher,
an eloquent and distinguished lawyer, who
represented the fifth district of Vermont in
the Congress of the United States from 1881
to 1871. Of the descendants of the female
branches Of the family, we will mention only
two-the Hon Epaphrodtus Ransom, chief
justice of the supreme court and governor of
Michigan, who recently died at Fort Scott,
Kansas, whilst receiver of public monies for
the territory; and Hon Isaac Fletcher Red
field, LID, for many years judge and chief
justice of the supreme court of Vermont.
Ryland Fletcher, the twenty-second gov
ernor Of Vermont, was born at Cayendish,
Windsor county, VT, on the 18th day of
February, 1899. Like all the other govern
ors Of Vermont, with single exception, who
have been nativ IS of the state, he has always
continued to reside in the town of his natiyi-
ty.
His Immediate ancestors were among the
first settlers of the town of Cavendish. The
history Of that branch of the Fletcher family
is, in a measure, the history of not only that
town, but also of the southwestern portion
of Windsor county. The first town clerk of
Cavendish. of which we have any record, was
Josiah Fletcher. He was also one of the
first board of se!ectmen. This family, also,
furnished one OF the first representatives from
that town to the general assembly of Yer
mont.
Ryiand Fletcher had only the benefit of a
common school education. His early life
was passed on a farm, and he has, ever since
almost exclusively devoted himself to agri-
culture.
He has always been an earnest advocate
of the anti-slavery cause, and cal ly allied
himself to what was then called the liberal
party, and later in life became a member, if
We mistake not, of the free soil party. He
was frequently supported by the members of
those parties, for the various important Off
ces in the gift Of the people, but they being
largely in the minority, he was, of course, I'M
successful.
In 1854, after the passage Of the Kansas
Nebraska act, the wings of Vermont, in order
to unite in one party all those who were OPP
posed to the principles contained in that act
nominated Oscar L. Shafter, for lieutenan,
governor. lie being about to remove to
California declined the nomination., and Ry.
land Fletcher became the candidate for thai
position in his stead, and was the representa-
tive, on the state ticket of the ultra anti-sla
very party. He was elected lieutenant gov
ernor by large majority of the popular vote
and was reelected in 1876.
AS lieutenant governor, he became presi
dent of the senate The duties Of this sta
ton he discharged with ability, courtesy an
impartiality, and at the close Of both session
the senate unanimously bore their testimon
to that effect This is the more noteworth
from The fact, to use his own language, in I.
address to the senate, that he "was Gale
from the walks of private life, without the,
retical or practical knowledge of parliament
ry law or practice, and placed here to di
charge the complicated duties Of this pos
ton" 1t is evident "that such transitio
would be attended with serious embarras
ments."
In 1856, he was the candidate of the +
publican party, and was elected governor
Vermont by tmenty.t1co thousand MAJORITY
He was reelected in 1857 by similar vot
He received, at each election, the largest m
jorlty ever given to governor Of Vernon
when elected on regular party issues.
the time of his inauguration as governor, W
temporarily revived an ancient custom, wifi
had long been extinct in this state A pr
cession was formed, consisting of the mel
bers of the Senate and House, the senate
fcers and others, under the direction Of t
adjutant general of the state, attended by
military escort, which moved to the chure
and there attended religious services and
tened to an selection Sermon At the clio
of this they returned to the state house, t
oath Of Office was administered 10 the GOV,
nor, and thereupon his annual message W
read.
During his administration the state hou
at Montpelier was destroyed by fire, al