REV. LUTHER JACOBS FLETCHER, son of David Fletcher, was born Nov. 25, 1818. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and he, the youngest son, was the “heir apparent” to the bellows and the anvil; but his love for books was stronger than the paternal decree. He pursued his preparatory studies at Unity Academy, and graduated at the Norwich University, 1841. In 1842 be was settled as pastor of the Universalist church in Surry, N. H. The year after, he was chosen Principal of the Mount Ceasar Seminary at Swanzey, but the duties of his two-fold office proving too severe for him, after three years service he removed to Brattleboro, Vt.; from thence he was called to Cambridge, Mass., and soon after to Lowell, where he labored for four years.
Here pecuniary considerations induced him to turn his attention to the law. In this profession also he was quite successful. His clear head, ready talent, and eloquent tongue, made him quite popular. At the end of three years he was appointed Commissioner of Insolvency, and soon after elevated to the position of Judge. When this court was united with that of the Probate, he re-entered the ministry, and returned to his old society at Lowell. He remained there but three years, when he was called to settle in the city of Brooklyn, but the health of his son induced him to remove to Bath, Me., where he is now settled over a large society.
He has published a Service-Book and a series of text-books which are quite popular, and is now publishing a work entitled, Gloria Patria, consisting of Prayers, Chants and Liturgical services for public worship. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, in 1856, in which body he took an active and leading part.
