The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-01-23
JOHN ". FLETCHER dies
AFTER LONG ILLNESS
One of The Most Popular Men in The
COunty-HeM Office of Register of
Wills For Twenty-Four Years.

! Wits FOR lWenty-fOuf esaTS.
Mr.. John w. Fletcher, one OF the
best known and most popular men in
the county, died at his home on Mil
street this morning, about ten
O'Clock, after a long illness with
Bright's disease and complications
Up until a few years ago, when he
Sustained stroke of paralysis, Mr.
Fletcher was. apparently, strong and
vigorous. and enjoyed the best OF
health.
He was the son of the late John
H. and Sarah Andrews Fletcher, and
was born on the 21st day Of June.
!1S48, on his fathers farm in East
New Market district. He was edu-
Gated in the public schools and the
East New Market Academy, then a
private institution. After complet-
ing his school life, he engaged in
farming and continued that occupa-
ton actively until January l, 1886,
when he removed to Cambridge to
assume the duties of his Office as
Register of Wills. He never, how
ever, gave up his interest in farming,
but continued to actively supervise
the management of his farms right
up to the time when delicate health
compelled him to give less attention
to them; his love for the work was
so great that when his health would
permit he frequently motored to
them to keep in touch with what was
being done.
Mr.. Fletcher, early in life, mani
tested an interest in public affairs.
In 1871 and u he was tax collector
for East New Market and Williams
burg districts. In 1885 he was NOM
mated by his party for the Office of
Register of Wills and was elected
over Thomas H. Medford, ESQ.,, the
Republican candidate. He was re-
nominated in 1891 and defeated ].
Henry Hooper; he was again nomi-
mated in 1897, and defeated Hon. j.
L. Kerr; he was nominated for the
fourth time in 1908, and defeated
Thomas Latimer, who was at that
time editor of The Dorchester Stan
dard. He announced before the ex-
piration of his fourth term that he
would not be candidate and has
since remained in private life.
During the twenty-four years Of
his incumbency of the Office he was
popular to an unusual extent with
the masses of the people. 1t mat
tered not in what section one might
be, many expressions of confidence
in the honor and integrity of Mr..
Fletcher might be heard His long
tenure in the office which brought
him into contact with the widows
and orphans and connected him with
the settlement of the estates of the
dead. gave the public an unusual OPP
portunity to discern his fairness and
his sound judgment.
He never made any effort to make
himself popular with any particular
class, he never INDUCED in those
practices which catch a certain ele-
ment; he was never willing to be(
engaged in anything that had for its
object the pulling down OF respect
for law and order, or the loweriT bf
the morals of the community. He
lived clean, sober, upright life, ano
the example which he has left is one
that may we'll be emulated by those
who seek to be the public's servants.
He was a lifelong member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. and at
the time of his death had been for
a number of years a member OF the
Board of Trustees of Zion Church,
this city. He was an active member
of the building committee of the
present church, and while the home
property which he had built was lost
in the great fire several years ago, 1t
has been said by many who were
close to him that he regretted the
loss of the Old Zion Church more
than he did that of his own prop
erty.
He was a member of the board OF
directors of the Dorchester National
Bank, and at the time that institu-
ton was merged with the Eastern
Shore Trust Company he became a
member of the board of the latter
institution and continued so until
his death.
In quiet and unostentatious
manner Mr.. Fletcher did a great deal
of charitable work; little was ever
heard of the help that he rendered.
It almost seemed as if it were a
principle with him to never let such
things escape his lips, but there are
many persons in the county who, by
his assistance, have been placed on
the road to success.
He was twice married, his first
wife having been Miss Susan Hig-
! gins, daughter OF Judge James dls-
| gins, Chief Judge of the Orphans
| Court for many years. BY this union
there were two children. both OF
whom survive; they are Mrs. Laura
Fletcher Simmons, wife OF Secretary
of State Thomas w. Simmons, and
! Frederick II. Fletcher, a very proml-
nent member of the Cambridge bar
His second marriage was to Mrs
Willie A. Hopkins, who also sur.
wives him.
The funeral services, which, on az
count of the public health regula'
tions, will be private, will be hello
from his late home, 2O4 Mill street
Saturday afternoon at three o'clock
Interment will be in the Cambridge
icemetery.
Tho hest norton of good mans