Biographical Sketches

EDGAR I. FLETCHER

DR. EDGAR I. FLETCHER, of Boulder, was born in Vermont, March 29, 1853.  The first of the family in this country, Thomas Fletcher, came from England to Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1850, bringing with him a patent from the king of England to a large tract of land.  He became one of the prominent early settlers of that locality.  The family now in this country now number about 15,000.  The father of our subject, Edward Fletcher, was born in Grand Isle county, Vermont, January 6, 1819.  He married Eliza M. Landon, a native also of that county, and they had ten children, of whom eight are still living.  The mother died at the age of sixty-four years, and the father survived until seventy-two years of age.  Mr. Fletcher was an honest, upright man and was a great inventor.  He had the credit of being the first inventor of the self-regulating windmills, also invented the first iron water wheels, similar to the turbine wheel of the present day; but like many inventors, never realized much profit from these valuable inventions.  The family for many generations have been members of the Congregational Church.

Edgar J., the fifth child in order of birth in his father's family, received his education in the public schools of his native State.  He read and practiced medicine with his elder brother, afterward graduated in the medical department of the State University, at Burlington, and in 1879 began the practice of his profession in Dutchess county, New York.  Two years later he became imbued with the idea of coming to Montana, and arriving in this State engaged in raising horses, which at that time afforded large returns.  He followed that occupation in Jefferson county, and later added a sawmill to his other business interests.  In 1884 Mr. Fletcher was elected County Superintendent of Schools by the Republican party.  In 1888 he resumed the practice of medicine in Boulder, and in 1891, seeing the need of a hospital in this city, he erected a good brick structure on three acres of ground near the courthouse.  He has all the necessary appliances for the care of the sick, and also gives the bichloride-of-gold treatment for inebriates and those afflicted with the opium and tobacco habits.  Dr. Fletcher is now beautifying the grounds about the premises, and the property is a credit to the city of Boulder.  In addition to his medical practice he served for a time as physician to the Board of Health of Jefferson county.

The Doctor was married September 18, 1884, to Miss Emma H. Robinson, a native also of Vermont, and a daughter of Henry Robinson.  To this union have been born four children, one of whom, Ruth, died at the age of four years.  Those living are: Buel M., Wallace R. and Clara.  Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher were formerly Congregationalists, but there being no church of that denomination in Boulder, they united with the Presbyterian Church after coming to this city, and are active workers in advancing religious sentiment in their community.  The Doctor has served as an Elder in the church, and also aided in the erection of a creditable brick edifice.  He is thoroughly informed in the practice of his profession and takes a deep interest in alleviating the sufferings of the afflicted.  He is highly deserving of the patronage he has secured, as well of the high esteem in which he is held in Jefferson county.

Source: Transcription from the book, An Illustrated History of the State of Montana, by Joaquin Miller, published in 1894; located on the website, Internet Archive (http://archive.org), accessed 15 January 2025.

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