Henry Fletcher (mayor)
| Henry Fletcher | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 25th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
|
In office January 1909 – January 1913 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick J. McCarthy |
| Succeeded by | Joseph H. Gainer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 17, 1859 Birmingham, England |
| Died | August 26, 1953 (aged 94) Barrington, Rhode Island |
| Resting place | Swan Point Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Hattie E. Bennett |
| Residence | Providence, Rhode Island, Conimicut, Rhode Island |
| Education | Scholfield's Commercial College |
| Occupation | Jeweler |
Henry Fletcher (January 17, 1859 – August 26, 1953) was the 25th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island.
Henry Fletcher was born in Birmingham, England on January 17, 1859. His family moved to New Jersey when Henry was a small boy. By 1873, the family moved to Providence Rhode Island, where Henry attended public schools. He studied at Scholfield's Commercial College, a business school in Providence.
Henry Fletcher married Hattie E. Bennett in 1883. She died in 1935. Three sons outlived him: Henry B. Fletcher Sr; R. Leslie Fletcher, president of the Providence Gas Company; and Paul W. Fletcher. A fourth son, Col. Edward G. Fletcher, died shortly after World War II.
In 1881, Fletcher entered the jewelry industry, which was a large and important industry in Providence at the time. He partnered with Edward G. Burrows, Jr. to form Fletcher Burrows and Co. Burrows died in 1893. Fletcher was director of the Jewelers' Board of Trade.
In 1898, Fletcher was elected as a Republican councilman from the Eighth Ward, then from 1901-1906 he represented the Seventh Ward. He was president of the Board of Aldermen in 1908.
In 1908, Fletcher defeated Democratic incumbent Patrick J. McCarthy to win the mayor's office. He was re-elected in 1909, beating State Senator James H. Thurston. In 1910 he defeated Joseph E. Cole, and in 1911 he beat Joseph H. Gainer. Fletcher ran again in 1912 and 1916, losing both times. Subsequently, Fletcher retired from elective politics but remained active in the Republican Party.
As mayor, Fletcher:
In 1921 Fletcher sold his jewelry business and retired. He maintained residences in Florida and New Hampshire as well as a summer home in Conimicut for many years.
Fletcher was a 32nd degree mason. He belonged to several organizations, including: the Providence Town Criers, the Providence Central Club, and the Providence Chamber of Commerce. He was director of the Atlantic National Bank.
Fletcher died on August 26, 1953 in Barrington, Rhode Island, age 94, at the home of his eldest son, Henry B. Fletcher, Sr. He was buried at Swan Point Cemetery, and his funeral service was held at the Swan Point Cemetery chapel.
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