Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Fletcher, Isaac 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 2:46 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Isaac Fletcher, farmer, located on section 7, Clyde Township, was born April 
23, 1826, in Saltford, Somersetshire, England. His father, Isaac Fletcher, was 
born in England, and belonged to a family of unmixed English ancestry. He was 
an employe of the government, and operated to a considerable extent as a 
contractor on public works, occupying positions of trust and responsibility. 
He died at Saltford, Somersetshire, in 1879, and was nearly 90 years of age. 
Betsey (Smith) Fletcher, the mother, was born Oct. 31, 1791, in the same 
shire, and was the daughter of Thomas Smith, an English yeoman. She died in 
1862, aged 71 years. Their family included 10 children—one daughter and nine 
sons. Mr. Fletcher remained under the control of his parents until he was 16 
years of age, when he began to operate on his own account, and worked some 
years on the docks, canals and railroads in the interests of his government. 
He was married in Liverpool, England, March 4, 1850, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
Valentine Shaw. The father was born Feb. 14, 1801, in Northamptonshire, 
England, and when he was in advanced age (1851) came to the United States, 
dying 18 days after landing at the port of New York. Deborah (Clark) Shaw, her 
mother, was born in Welton, Northamptonshire, and came to the United States 
with her husband, two daughters, one son and a son-in-law, in the year 
following the marriage of the daughter. The mother died at Morrison, March 11, 
1869, aged 62 years. Mrs. Fletcher was born in Newnham, Northamptonshire, Oct. 
15, 1833, and was a resident there until she was 14 years of age, when she 
went with her parents to Liverpool. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher have been the 
parents of 13 children, two of whom are deceased. Emma S. was born July 21, 
1851, married Fayette Dimick, Oct. 12, 1874, and they live at Exeter, Fillmore 
Co., Neb. Mr. Dimick is a town official where he lives, and is engaged in the 
sale of agricultural implements. He is a prominent and enterprising citizen. 
Debbie A., born March 8, 1853, married Alexander Wilson, June 15, 1876, and 
resides on a farm in Ustick Township. She was a teacher for many years. Mary 
E. was born Aug. 23, 1855. Phebe was born Nov. 28, 1859, and married James 
Stapleton, a farmer in Clark Co., D. T. She was also a teacher. Those named, 
besides one daughter, deceased, were born in Fredonia, N. Y. William was born 
Oct. 4, 1862; Charles, March 14, 1863; Allie E., Feb. 24, 1845; Jennie and 
James (twins) were born Dec. 19, 1867; Arthur, Jan. 31, 1869; Theophilus, Nov. 
14, 1871. Amelia, and another child who was not named, are deceased. The 
family left England for America May 13, 1851, and they landed at the port of 
New York. From there they proceeded to Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where 
they resided some years. In 1860 they came to Whiteside County, and located on 
the section on which they have since resided. It was under some improvements, 
and at the date of purchase contained 80 acres. The farm now comprises 200 
acres, all under excellent cultivation. The farm buildings are first-class, 
and the place is stocked with cattle of the best grade. Mr. Fletcher justly 
ranks among the best citizens of his township, and is considered a 
representative agriculturist. The younger members of the family are well 
educated, and their social position second to none. Mr. Fletcher is active and 
influential in political connection, and is a Republican. He has acted in the 
local offices of the township, and is at present Commissioner of Highways. He 
knows of no relative in America save his own family. Lerman Worthington is one 
of the substantial agriculturists of Ustick Township, and owns a farm on 
section 19. He is the proprietor of 385 acres of land in Whiteside County and 
has 80 acres under culture. He was born June 26, 1836, in Wayne Co., N. Y., 
and is the son of William S. and Sarah E. (Jenkins) Worthington. They were 
born in the State of New York and there the mother died, April 14, 1885. The 
father is still living. They had seven children, of whom three lived to grow 
up. They were named Elizabeth, Herman and Solomon F. Mr. Worthington obtained 
a common-school education of limited scope, and resided with his parents until 
the age of 25 years. In 1861 he came to Whiteside County. He has since pursued 
his interests in agricultural directions, with the exception of five years 
when he was interested in shipping live stock at Morrison and in the sale of 
clothing. Mary Hollinshead became the wife of Mr. Worthington April 5, 1865. 
She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rush) Hollinshead, of whom a sketch 
is given with that of Joshua Hollinshead. She was born July 21, 1839, in Clyde 
Township, Whiteside County, and is the first child born to her parents after 
their removal to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Worthington have two children,—Sarah 
E. and Mary. Mr. Worthington is a Republican, and has been Supervisor and 
Trustee of Ustick Township. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/whiteside/bios/fletcher2296nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 5.8 Kb