Rodney Fletcher, son of Arad H. and Bethana (Darling) Fletcher, wasborn in Chesterfield, November 18, 1826, and married Olive W. Albee, daughter of Captain Nathaniel Albee, of Chesterfield, November 3, 1847. He has one daughter, Sarah E., who was married in 1873, to B. H. Swan; D. V. S. Since 1843 Mr. Fletcher has resided at Chesterfield Factory, and has worked in the auger factories located there, under various firms at different periods as finisher, having had charge of the polishing-room, where b has been for more than forty’ years. Under the old military regime, he was a prominent member of the Chesterfield Light Infantry, in which organization he held a commission four years, and the last two commanding the com pany. Early in life he evinced great aptitude as a nurse, and notwitltstan ing his active and laborious business cares, has never been too hurried devote any necessary amount of time, day or night, to the care of his si and suffering neighbors. For a scoie and more of years he has acted undertaker in and about Chesterfield Factory, and as marshall at nearly I funerals. In acknowledgment of these freely rendered services, his frien in 1880, gave him an ovation, and with brass band, songs, poems speeches, presented him and his wife with valuable tokens of their appre tion and regard. The following tribute is from a poem delivered on occasion:
“We laurel the hero; place flowers o’er the dead; Give banquets to statesmen.
For years of devotion In homes of our loved ones, shall aught now be said?
You came when the star-lamps hung over the sleeping, You followed the Reaper, you shrouded our dead.
On whom will your mantle trail o’er in its keeping, Since now on the hill-slope you’re journeying down?
This tribute we pay you, and time shall record it, For worth in the future shall bring you renown.”
In every laudable enterprise, and in the municipal affairs of the town. has long been a prominent factor, having been moderator, supervisor, an selectman three years. In the Masonic order he is a Knight Templar, teemed by his fellow craftsmen, a trustworthy knight, and for more than quarter of a century he has been an unusually successful and prosperous amateur farmer.