Dr. George Washington Fletcher
May 4, 1829 - May 3, 1901

Dr. George Washington Fletcher died at his home at Fletcher's in Henderson County this morning at 7 o'clock. An additional day in his life would have made him 72 years of age.

Dr. Fletcher was born and reared at the place of his residence during his entire life, was at the ancestral estate where his last hours were closed. He studied medicine in Asheville under Dr. Hardy, and for the past 48 years had practiced his profession in Henderson and Buncombe counties, where he was especially regarded as a public spirited citizen and physician, and a man of sterling character.

The illness that had fatal termination today had extended over the period of the past six months and there had been but little hope during that time that the sufferer would recover.

Dr. Fletcher is survived by his wife and his children, Dr. M. H. Fletcher of Asheville, Mrs. C. D. Cushing, Mrs. H. M. Roberts, Edgar, J. P., Walter, and Misses May and Meta, all of whom were at the bedside of their father in his last moments.

The funeral will be held at Calvary Church, Henderson County, tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. Dr. M. H. Fletcher returned to Fletcher's today, and will remain there until after the funeral.

Dr. George W. Fletcher was a gentleman of the old school. To great native ability, he had added an extensive store of information, and back of and under it all was a rugged honesty and undeviating integrity that made his influence wide and uniformly salutary. He was an ardent churchman, and for many years, a vestryman of his village parish. He was progressive, but conservative, and few enterprises of magnitude in the western portion of the state during the past half century have failed to secure his aid and counsel.

- The Asheville Weekly Citizen, Tuesday, May 7, 1901

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George Washington Fletcher graduated from Charleston Medical College. After the war, Dr. Fletcher returned to the home plantation, now the town of Fletcher, where he bought out all seventeen of his siblings and successfully farmed his father's original plantation.

George Washington Fletcher built his home near the Old Plank Road, known as the Buncombe Turnpike, and Howard Gap Road. Over the years, rooms were added to the house and it became a well-known inn, a stopping place for travelers. Fletcher was a doctor and served in the Army during the Civil War as a doctor and surgeon. After the war, he served the people of Cane Creek and Hooper's Creek, traveling for miles to visit his patients by horseback or buggy and even on foot when it was necessary to see a sick or injured person in some isolated cove or on some mountainside that was inaccessible.

G. W. Fletcher was also a farmer. As more settlers moved nearby, he built a store, tannery and blacksmith shop. When a railroad station was built, the station was named Fletcher. A new post office opened near the depot and it was named Fletcher. In addition to doctor, farmer, innkeeper and merchant, he was now the founder of the city, Fletcher.

- wrcushing 49