Biography - HELEN FLETCHER

Mrs Helen Fletcher, widow of the late Samuel Anson Fletcher, is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, and is a representative of a family which was established here more than a half century ago. The birth of Mrs. Fletcher took place in the little village of Larne, in County Antrim, Ireland, in probably the most picturesque and beautiful section of the northern part of the Emerald Isle. She is a daughter of Stewart and Eliza (Blair) McCambridge.

The original home of the McCambridge family was Scotland, whence they removed into Ireland, generations ago, on account of religious persecution. Malcolm McCambridge, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Fletcher, settled in County Antrim and there acquired lands to which additions were made by his descendants. His son Daniel succeeded him and reared a family of eight children, bearing the names of John, Daniel, Alexander, Archibald, Frank, Sarah, Margaret and Stewart. The last named, the father of Mrs. Fletcher, was born in County Antrim, March 8, 1802. In the schools conducted by the Catholic clergy of the locality, he was well educated but he never became a convert to their faith, in later years being confirmed by Bishop Manse in the communion of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In Ireland he learned the tanning business, for, while his father was a man of large wealth, the property was entailed and he being the youngest child was forced to seek his own fortune. He married Eliza Blair, who was born in Ireland and was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Knox) Blair, and, with wife and children, migrated in 1849 to America. The vessel left its freight and passengers at New Orleans and there the family remained a few months and then came up the Mississippi River to Alton, the objective point being the rich farming lands of Macoupin County, After the purchase of a beautiful farm of 120 acres had been made by Mr. McCambridge, the family drove out to the new home and there Mrs. Fletcher lived until about 40 years of age. There her father died in March, 1884. In appearance and in manner and temperament, Mr. McCambridge was a typical Irishman, hospitable, generous, witty and home-loving. In politics he was a Democrat. Six of his family of 12 children lived to maturity: Daniel, Frank, Alexander, Elizabeth, Fannie, Helen and Blair. Daniel was a physician and died in New Zealand. Frank and Alexander both served in the Civil War as members of Mahone's Brigade, 3rd Alabama Regiment, Confederate States Army. The latter was wounded at Seven Pines, was in the battle of the Wilderness and was one of the prisoners taken by General Grant at the siege of Vicksburg. Later, while under parole, he was arrested at St. Louis, but was released upon the payment of $100 to his guards. He then accepted a position as station agent with the Chicago & Alton Railway at Alton. Frank also went into railroad work and at the time of his death, at Venice, Illinois, was captain of a ferry boat. Alexander died at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, in 1866, of cholera. Elizabeth is Mrs. Compton and lives in St. Louis. Fannie died at the age of 19 years and rests in the Bunker Hill cemetery. Blair is a prominent Democratic politician at Venice, Illinois.

Mrs. Fletcher was born June 9, 1844, and was five years old when the family reached New Orleans, old enough to recall the leading features of the long trip. In the city of New York, March 30, 1886, she was married to Samuel Anson Fletcher, of Bunker Hill, who was born at Antrim, New Hampshire, in 1824, a son of Hon. Samuel Fletcher, who served 16 years in the New Hampshire Legislature. Mr. Fletcher was a man of fine education and in early life was a school teacher. In 1857 he came to Bunker Hill, where for many years he stood very high in public esteem. As a stock buyer he was very successful, carrying on extensive operations. He was the first mayor of Bunker Hill and was a member of the City Council for 12 years. In politics he was an influential member of the Republican party. He attended and was a liberal supporter of the Congregational Church in which his father had been a deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher had one daughter, Elizabeth Blair, who is still at school. By a former marriage, Mr. Fletcher had three children. He died in June, 1893, his decease being a distinct loss not only to his family, but to the community which had so long benefitted by his liberality and his continued public spirit.

Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 159-161.