My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. FLESHER, M. D., a pioneer physician of Green Ridge, is also serving as Mayor of that thriving little city. His personal popularity is shown by the fact that he has officiated in this honored position for the past ten years, and during that time has discharged every duty devolving upon him with great fidelity and to the satisfaction of the public.

Our subject was born in the Old Dominion June 12, 1829, and is the eldest now living in a family of ten children born to Andrew and Anna (Hughes) Flesher, both of whom were also Virginians by birth. They resided in their eastern home until advanced in years, when they were induced to live with their youngest son, Americus, then a resident of Illinois, at whose home they passed to their final reward.

William H., of this sketch, passed his early years in attendance at the common schools of Virginia, and also aided greatly in the work on the farm. Upon attaining his majority, however, he decided to follow a professional life, and in order that he might study under the best of preceptors he went to Meigs County, Ohio, and entered the office of Dr. Jeremiah Ackley. When fully prepared to attend lectures he became a student in the Louisville (Ky.) University, but just one month prior to being graduated was compelled to leave school on account of having been stricken with erysipelas fever. He later received his diploma, however, from the university.

On the outbreak of the Civil War our subject became a member of the Eleventh Virginia Infantry, and with his regiment was sent to Parkersburg, Va., where he was made Assistant Surgeon. Soon after entering upon his duties in this capacity he received a telegram from the Governor of Virginia, who desired him to recruit a battalion for the Third Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. The Doctor was reluctant to do this, but being shown that it was his duty, he obeyed and was commissioned Captain of Company H. In 1863 he was promoted to be Commander of four companies of the Third Battalion and served as such until the close of the war. He was in active service all this time, participating in more than forty battles and skirmishes. While a great many of his men were either captured or wounded, he fortunately escaped injury, although on one occasion his entire command was captured, but was fortunately recaptured by the Seventh Michigan Regiment.

Dr. Flesher was mustered out of service at Washington, D. C., in June, 1865, and after remaining in his native state for a few months, in July of the following year went to Illinois and was engaged in practice in Olney, Richland County. Owing to ill-health, he changed his location in 1877, then coming to Missouri and choosing for his future home what was, at that time, the little hamlet of Green Ridge. He very rapidly grew into prominence as a practitioner, and in the years that have intervened has built up a large practice.

The Doctor was married, in 1852, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Jesse and Malinda (Sheets) Parr, both of whom were born in the Buckeye State and were of Welsh and German descent, respectively. Their union was blessed by the birth of nine children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are Irwin D., a prominent citizen of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Rosa, who is the wife of H. M. McBride, and lives in Rich Hill., Mo.; Lucy, now Mrs. Charles D. Rayburn, of this county; Minnie, the wife of George Hollenbeck, who is President of the Green Ridge Bank; Mamie, whose husband, E. E. Durand, is Cashier in the above bank; Cora B. and Nellie, at home with their parents. The Doctor, together with his wife and two daughters, is a member of the Christian Church. The former has been connected with that religious body since 1855, and in Green Ridge and vicinity his name is a synonym for charity and love.

Socially our subject belongs to Illinois Lodge No. 362, A. F. & A. M., also Green Ridge Lodge No. 300, I. O. O. F. He has been Past Grand of that order and is now serving as Secretary of the lodge. The Doctor is a stanch Republican in politics and an active worker in the ranks of that party. In the early days his father was a Whig and on that ticket was elected many times to the Virginia State Legislature. In 1881 our subject was nominated and elected to the Mayoralty of Green Ridge by a large majority. He is very enthusiastic in the improvement of the city and has set on foot many enterprises which have been of great benefit to it. His home is one of the most beautiful and attractive in the city, and by the judicious investment of his money he has acquired a valuable property.