FLETCHER, William - Lafayette Co, MO Biography ***** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the files submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ***** file submitted by: Kathy Gaines Source: History of Lafayette County, MO Publication Info: St Louis, Missouri Historical Company, 1881 page 495 Clay Township William Fletcher lumber dealer, P.O. Odessa. Son of John and Ellen Fletcher; was born in Macon county, Kentucky, in 1813. His parents came to Missouri in 1829, and settled first in Pike county, where they resided until 1835, when they went to Henry county. In 1837 William came to this county and settled about two miles east of Dover, where he and his brother, Goerge, engaged in the maufacture of hemp rope and bagging. In 1945 they had the misfortune to lose their establishment and contents by fire. Wil- liam then went to Waverly and engaged in farming and milling. In the fall of 1879 he came to Odessa and engaged in the lumber business, which has since occupied his attention, and which, by industry and enterprise, he has succeeded in obtaining a lucrative patronage. In 1832 he was married to Rachel Burroughs, of Pike county, by whom he has three children: Sarah, (Mrs. Warren) Fannie, (Mrs. McCord) and George. Mr. Fletcher is one of the leading business men of the town; enterprising and energetic, possessing qualities which render him an invaluable citizen of any community. He has been identified with the interests of the county for nearly half a century. Owns quite a large property in the county.