My Genealogy Hound

Hon. William P. Fletcher is too well known by the people of this section to need a formal introduction, and it is only proper to assume that this volume would be incomplete without a short sketch of his life. Born in Mississippi, Yazoo County, in 1848, he is the son of Dr. John P. and Mary A. (Cooper) Fletcher, reference to whom is made elsewhere in these pages. William P. remained at home until his twentieth year, enjoying those advantages for an education that the primitive schools of the period offered. In 1868 he came to Arkansas in company with his brother, and located near Lonoke, in what was then Prairie County, where he engaged as a farm laborer. In the fall of 1868 he settled at Lonoke, there being tendered the position to teach the first school in the place, which offer he accepted. He then engaged as a clerk in a mercantile establishment and in 1872 became a member of the firm of Fletcher & Son, where he carried on the drug business for the following five years. In September, 1878, he was elected sheriff of Lonoke County, and served in that capacity until August, 1886, when he resigned to enter upon the duties of State senator, to which he had been elected from the Twelfth district of Arkansas, composed of the counties of Lonoke and Prairie. This position Mr. Fletcher held with decided credit to himself and honor to his constituents for a term of four years. In 1881 he became one of the firm of John C. England & Co. The year 1872 witnessed his marriage to Miss Ella A. Beard, a native of Moscow, Tenn., who came to Arkansas with her parents. Seven children have been born of this union, of whom two sons and one daughter are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher belong to the Baptist Church, in which the former is deacon. He is an influential member of the school board, a member and Past Master of Lonoke lodge, A. F. & A. M., First Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias, and charter member of the Knights of Honor, having been instrumental in establishing the lodge here.