Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 563-564] JOHN FLETCHER, proprietor of Derby Manor. This substantial and thoroughly reliable farmer and stock-raiser is one of the self-made men of Cherokee County. He was born at Buxton, England, May 12, 1838, and is the son of GEORGE and ANNA (WALLEY) FLETCHER. At the tender age of five years he was left an orphan, without brother, sister or other relatives to care for him: consequently he was reared in Belper Poor-House, Derbyshire, England, until he was nine years old, when he was bound out as parish apprentice to JAMES LELAND, who was an iron and coal contractor in South Staffordshire, England. Mr. FLETCHER worked in the iron and coal mines until he was eighteen years old, at which time he was free to work for himself. He was married November 19, 1860, to Miss HARRIET SHORE a native of England, and a daughter of JOHN and ELIZABETH (BAILEY) SHORE. Her father died in England when she was about three years old, and the mother is residing in England now. In 1865 Mr. FLETCHER sailed from Liverpool to New York, determined to make a home in the New World. He went directly to Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and worked for two years and three months in the mines. He then concluded to push farther west, and removed to Boonesborough, Iowa, in which place he lived until 1868, when he became a resident of Cherokee County. He made the journey from Boonesborough with a team and wagon, and located in Pitcher Township, on a Government homestead of eighty acres. He lived upon this place twelve years, and then sold it and bought 280 acres, known as the BELDEN farm. This place has been brought to an advanced state of cultivation, and has numerous excellent improve- ments; there is a good residence, one of the most commodious barns in the county, and a six horse-power windmill for grinding grain and supplying water to the different sheds and yards. The barns and machinery cost $4,000, and are perfectly adapted to the care of live-stock. Mr. FLETCHER is one of the most extensive live-stock feeders in the county. In 1887 he wintered 200 head of cattle; in 1888, 400 head, and in 1889, 470 head. He buys annually from 10,000 to 20,000 bushels of corn, and feeds large numbers of swine besides the cattle. Mr. and Mrs. FLETCHER are the parents of nine children: LIZZIE, wife of J. E. CARPENTER; SARAH, wife of WILLIAM H. SLEEZER; GEORGE, HARRIET, JENNIE M., JAMES, NELLIE and BERTIE J., who died at the age of ten months. Mr. FLETCHER adheres to the principles of the Republican party. Beginning at the bottom of the ladder, by his own unaided exertions he has risen to a position of affluence, and deserves the honor and respect in which he is held. ==========================================================================