Calvin Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Calvin Fletcher was an attorney
and legislator
from Indianapolis, Indiana
, USA.
to Jesse and Lucy Keyes Fletcher. He started out for Urbana, Ohio
in 1817 where he studied law in Urbana under James Cooley
and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1820. Fletcher married Sara Hill in Urbana and both moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
in 1821. Calvin and Sara had 11 children, including James Cooley Fletcher
.
Circuit Court
. In 1825 he was elected state senator and remained in office until his resignation in 1833. Fletcher went on to join a law firm
with Ovid Butler
, Simon Yandes and Horatio C. Newcomb
.
during the organization of Asbury College which became DePauw University
. Like Horatio Newcomb, he was commissioner for the Sinking Fund
.
. The settlement had several residents. Many contributions were made to the early development of architecture
, religion, commerce, education, and social life in the city of early Indianapolis. The property was plotted off by his brother, Stoughton Fletcher.
Fletcher was an abolitionist like his friend and colleague, Ovid Butler
. He promoted the organization of the U.S. colored troops
in Indiana during the American Civil War
, and the 28th Regiment United States Colored Troops
used his farm land to train between December 1863 and April 1864. Fletcher also helped to found the Marion County Agricultural Society.
A marble bust
of Calvin Fletcher is on display in the Indiana Statehouse.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and legislator
Legislator
A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws, especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians and are often elected by the people...
from Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, USA.
Early life
Fletcher was born in Ludlow, VermontLudlow, Vermont
Ludlow, Vermont may refer to:*Ludlow , Vermont*Ludlow , Vermont...
to Jesse and Lucy Keyes Fletcher. He started out for Urbana, Ohio
Urbana, Ohio
Urbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
in 1817 where he studied law in Urbana under James Cooley
James Cooley
Dr. James W. Cooley is an American mathematician. James William Cooley received a B.A. degree in 1949 from Manhattan College, Bronx, NY, an M.A. degree in 1951 from Columbia University, New York, NY, and a Ph.D. degree in 1961 in applied mathematics from Columbia University...
and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1820. Fletcher married Sara Hill in Urbana and both moved to Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
in 1821. Calvin and Sara had 11 children, including James Cooley Fletcher
James Cooley Fletcher
James Cooley Fletcher was a Presbyterian minister and missionary with strong activities in Brazilian lands.Fletcher was the son of Calvin Fletcher, a banker and one of the first settlers of Indiana. James Cooley Fletcher graduated from Brown University in 1846, and studied theology for two years...
.
Law
Fletcher was the first attorney practicing law in Indianapolis. He was elected prosecuting attorney for the Marion CountyMarion County, Indiana
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...
Circuit Court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
. In 1825 he was elected state senator and remained in office until his resignation in 1833. Fletcher went on to join a law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
with Ovid Butler
Ovid Butler
Ovid Butler was an attorney, newspaper publisher, and university founder from the state of Indiana, United States.-Personal life:...
, Simon Yandes and Horatio C. Newcomb
Horatio C. Newcomb
Horatio C. Newcomb was an attorney and judge from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.-Early life:Newcomb was born in Wellsborough, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. At some point the family moved to Cortland County, New York and in 1833 the family moved to Vernon, Jennings County, Indiana...
.
Banking and education
Just after 1833, Fletcher helped organize the State Bank of Indiana and acted as one branch's director for 16 years. He was appointed as one of the first members of the Indianapolis Board of School Trustees. He was also appointed a trusteeTrustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
during the organization of Asbury College which became DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
. Like Horatio Newcomb, he was commissioner for the Sinking Fund
Sinking fund
A sinking fund is a fund established by a government agency or business for the purpose of reducing debt by repaying or purchasing outstanding loans and securities held against the entity. It helps keep the borrower liquid so it can repay the bondholder....
.
Farming
From 1839 to 1855 Calvin Fletcher owned a 269 acres (108.9 ha) farm called Woodlawn in the early settlement known as Fletcher PlaceFletcher Place
Fletcher Place is a historic district and neighborhood in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.The neighborhood is clearly defined by I-70/I-65 to the south. East Street defines the neighborhood to the west...
. The settlement had several residents. Many contributions were made to the early development of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, religion, commerce, education, and social life in the city of early Indianapolis. The property was plotted off by his brother, Stoughton Fletcher.
Fletcher was an abolitionist like his friend and colleague, Ovid Butler
Ovid Butler
Ovid Butler was an attorney, newspaper publisher, and university founder from the state of Indiana, United States.-Personal life:...
. He promoted the organization of the U.S. colored troops
United States Colored Troops
The United States Colored Troops were regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War that were composed of African American soldiers. First recruited in 1863, by the end of the Civil War, the men of the 175 regiments of the USCT constituted approximately one-tenth of the Union...
in Indiana during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and the 28th Regiment United States Colored Troops
28th Regiment United States Colored Troops
The 28th Regiment United States Colored Troops, also called the 28th Regiment Indiana Infantry 1, was an African American combat unit from the state of Indiana that fought in the American Civil War.-History:...
used his farm land to train between December 1863 and April 1864. Fletcher also helped to found the Marion County Agricultural Society.
Faith
Fletcher was known as a very religious man. He contributed to the erection of almost all the early churches in Indianapolis. The Fletcher Place United Methodist Church was built on the on a portion of the farm, after the land had been donated to the church.A marble bust
Calvin Fletcher (bust)
Calvin Fletcher is a public artwork by an unknown artist, located inside the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The marble bust depicts Calvin Fletcher , a man who settled in Indiana early in the state's history and went on to become an attorney and senator...
of Calvin Fletcher is on display in the Indiana Statehouse.