The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-01-28
He Assisted in Laying the Foun-
datiOn and Erecting Super
structure of This City
Known as the Father of Educa.
ton Here; He Taught the
First Public School
His Life Was an Example For
Young Men to Follow; Man
of Sterling Worth
From Fridays Daily.


away peacefully at his home JUS
north of the city at Gas o'clock thi'
morning of pneumonia Reports that
his death had occurred We're III circu
lation Wednesday evening and yes
terday, and the public was prepared t.
In fact, his family ana physicians have
entertained few hopes of his recovery
since pneumonia developed Monday
morning. Three years ago, Mr.. Fletchel
suffered his first attack of this disease
and it left him in greatly weakened
condition, which he never fully recover
cd from, and when the second attack
came this week he had not the vitality
and reserve power to combat it that
he possessed before.
Taken With a Severe Cold.
Mr.. Fletcher was taken with Sc
we're cold early last week, and by the
close of the week became SO hoarst
that he could scarcely speak. Sunday
he was taken i'll, and Monday morn
ing pneumonia developed. He had the
best of medical care, but the fight was
hopeless one from the start. Mr.
Fletcher continued to sink, with an oc-
casional rallying spell, until last even
ing he passed into an unconscious con
dition, from which he did not re.
cover.
Although not unexpected, Mr.. Fetch
crs death east Il shadow over the com
munity. where he had lived and Ia
bored 50 long. and where he was 50
well known. He was one of the very
earliest, rs well rs oldest. settler.
i'll Mankato, and had lived here ever
since the early days, when the state
was Il territory and Mankato Il mere
speck i'll the wilderness, with littl,
more than Il steamboat landing and I;
few shacks. But even then he had til,
foresight To know that Il great future
awaited this section, for he saw til,
undeveloped resources lying i'll the ricl
soil and the abundant timber and tn,
sclid rock and the clay deposits, anc
lost 10 time i'll taking Il claim, an,
upon that he lived ever since.
Evidence of Public Spirit
by careful attention to details, in
cessant labor, and prudent investments
well handled, Mr.. Fletcher succeeded
in accommodating considerable means
and i'll recent enterprises calling for tn,
exercise OF public spirit and liberia
donations, such as the building of the
y. NJ. c. \. building and the securn.
of the Lutheran ladies' scminery, an,
other things, he was one of the hcavi
est subscribers. He was liberal will
his means where he though it justifie.
by the results sought, and was a free
spender i nthe interests of the public
schools, assisting with his own pocket
Look i'll many things in which teachers
and pupils were interested. While lib
cral with his private purse, he fell
that in public Office he had Il public
trust and carefully scrutinizcd all ex
pcnditures. He did not believe in tn
municipality spending money recklessIy
and wanted something to show TO
what was expended.
LAO AhlCiCSI ia tuC SInOOlS.
Perhaps Mr.. Fletcher took more in
tcrest in the school affairs of the cit,
than in any other one thing. He wa
one of the first teachers in the city
and served on the school board SOM
thirty years, or longer than any othe
member. He has been called the fathe
of the Mankato schools, and certainl,
10 father ever took a deeper interes
in the schooling of his own children
than Mr.. Fletcher did in seeing tina
the interests of all OF the publ
school pupils were cared for rightly
Sometimes he did not agree with othe
members of the board or with s,:pcrin
tendcnts, but his convictions were hon
est. He was teacher of The oil,
school, and believed that method
that had long been approved wer
safe and reliable for the future, bu
when convinced that improved method
were not fads le was willing to adop
them. In his death, the schools -
true friend.
Mr.. Fletcher was proud of the fac
that throughout his life he had assist
cd poor but worthy laos to strive 70
themselves, and he always watc!.e'
their careers with interest. He helpe'
many 9 struggling young man, by hi
good advice, to enter the upward path
OF success
Mr.. Fletcher, in politics, was con
sotcn republican. He believed Il
certain principles of government an
stuck TO them when tighter minds wcr
wavcring i'll their faith or hal for
sakcn their long cherished principle
for some new fad. When they return
ed to the party fold they found i'm
still there, unchanged, and uncilanee
able SO long as he believed that il
was upholding the right.
Good Example For Young Men.
Mr.. Fletcher did not belong 20