Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== A Standard History of Starke County, Indiana McCormick, Joseph N. - 1915 [227-230] JAMES C. FLETCHER. In every community are found, those whose character and ability well equip them for leadership in civic affairs of importance and in the control of business enterprises of broad scope and importance. In Starke County such a valued citizen is found in the person of MR. FLETCHER, who is president of the First National Bank of Knox, and who is likewise president and treasurer of the Starke County Abstract, Title & Guarantee Company, which, as may well be understood, exercises most important and beneficent functions bearing upon the general well-being of the community covered by its activities. MR. FLETCHER is serving also as state bank examiner for fourteen counties in Northwestern Indiana, his work in this capacity involving the periodical exami- nation of the affairs of all banking institutions in his assigned territory with the exception of the national banks. JAMES C. FLETCHER was bom in Washington Township, Starke County, Indiana, on the 20th of December, 1864, and is a son of JOHN and CLARA (THOMPSON) FLETCHER, the former a scion of Irish stock and the latter a representative of a family of English origin that was early founded in the State of Virginia. JOHN FLETCHER and his wife were reared and educated in Clermont County, Ohio. There their marriage was solemnized, and there all of their children were born with the exception of JAMES C., of this review, who is the youngest of the number. In 1860 JOHN FLETCHER came with his family to Starke County and settled in Washington Township, the land having been obtained from the Government by his brother, JESSE FLETCHER, who still resides in this county and who is one of its venerable pioneer citizens. JOHN FLETCHER became one of the sub- stantial agriculturists and stock growers of Starke County and continued to reside on his homestead farm until his death, which occurred on the 1st of May, 1874, the year of his nativity having been 1807. His widow survived him by a decade and was summoned to the life eternal on the 2d of June, 1885, her birth having occurred in 1828 or 1829. MR. FLETCHER was a man of strong individuality and inflexible integrity, and was prominent and influential in public affairs of a local order, the while he ever commanded the high regard of his fellow men. He was a staunch supporter of the cause of the democratic party and both he and his wife held member- ship in the United Brethren Church. Of their children, JAMES C. is the only one now living. Under the sturdy influences of the home farm JAMES C. FLETCHER waxed strong in mind and body, and while still employed at farm work and attending the public schools he felt the spur of ambition. Thus he was not satisfied with meager scholastic attainments but availed himself of the advantages of the Northern Indiana Normal School & Business College, now known as Valparaiso University. In that institution and in a private way he devoted his attention to the study of law, and though he was admitted to the bar of his native state he has never been engaged in the active practice, his technical knowledge, however, having proved of inestimable value to him in connection with his signally active and successful business career. In 1890 MR. FLETCHER assumed the office of clerk of the Circuit Court for Starke County, and of this position he continued the efficient and valued incumbent until 1898, when he became the owner of the leading abstract business of the county. To this he gave close attention, the business being conducted under the title of the Starke County Abstract Company, and he made the records of his office most comprehensive and authoritative. In 1907 the company combined its interests and records with those of the firm of Koftel & Taylor and under the reor-ganization the business was incorpor- ated under the present title of the Starke County Abstract, Title & Guarantee Company, with an authorized capital of $25,000. MR. FLETCHER has been president of this company since 1911, from the time of its incorporation, and the personnel of its executive corps includes also the following named officers: MAHLON J. HARTZLER, vice president; EDWARD H. TAYLOR, secretary; HERBERT R. KOFFEL and WILLIAM S. DANIEL, who are members of the board of directors; JAMES C. FLETCHER, attorney; and Misses DAISY A. CRABB and MARIE FLETCHER, notaries. The company holds membership in the Indiana Title Association and none in the state covers its fields more effectively in records and service. In 1901 MR. FLETCHER became associated with the late HORATIO D. FULLER in the organization of the First National Bank of Knox, which was incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000, and the success of which is indicated by the fact that its surplus fund is now $22,000, and that it has returned regular semi-annual dividends to its stockholders, the major number of whom are representative citizens of Starke County. MR. FULLER was the first president of this substantial and admirably conducted institution and retained this office until his death on the 4th of February, 1914, where- upon, with all consistency, MR. FLETCHER was elected his successor in this important executive office. EDGAR W. SHILLING is vice president; MARK D. FALVEY, cashier; and PERRY W. UNCAPHER, assistant cashier. In addition to the president, vice president and cashier the directorate of the bank includes FRANCIS YEAGER, FRANK A. GREEN, FRANK JOSEPH and HENRY F. SHRICKER. With characteristic progressiveness and circumspection MR. FLETCHER is directing the policies of this institution, and that he has exceptional ability as a practical financier is shown by the fact that since 1911 he has held the appointment of and given effective service as state bank examiner for the northwestern district of Indiana. MR. FLETCHER is one of the recognized leaders of the democratic party activities in Starke County, and has been a delegate to the state conventions of the same, as well as to congressional and county conventions for which he was eligible. He served for some time as a member of the board of trustees of the Town of Knox. In the Knox lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows MR. FLETCHER has passed the various official chairs, besides having represented the organization in the grand lodge of the state. He is affiliated also with the local organizations of the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Modern Maccabees. On November 4, 1891, was solemnized the marriage of MR. FLETCHER to Miss MEDA Z. BENDER, who was born at Knox, judicial center of this county, November 7, 1867, and who completed her education in Fort Wayne College. She is a daughter of ROBERT H. and ELVIRA (MORRIS) BENDER, the former of whom continued his residence at Knox until his death, his widow being still a resident of this place. Mr. and Mrs. FLETCHER have two children, MARIE, who was graduated in the Knox High School, as a member of the class of 1910, and who is a popular factor in the social activities of her home city, as are all other members of this representative family; and ROBERT BENDER FLETCHER is a member of the class of 1916 in the local high school. ==========================================================================