Fletcher - Hester Ann Lafollette - Putnam

Ashland, (Nebraska) Gazette: “Hester Ann LaFollette was born near Roachdale, Putnam County, Indiana, March 10, 1841, and died July 21, 1901, near Ashland, Nebraska, aged 60 years, 4 months, and 11 days.

She was married on March 18, 1862, near Ladoga, Ind., to Benjamin F. Fletcher.

She was the mother of twelve children, seven of whom are living. They are John H., of Mace, Ind.; Charles O., of Ithica, Neb.; Thomas, of Rantoul, Ill.; Mrs. Bertha E. Galloway, of Wahoo, Neb.; Mrs. Kate Ballou, Benjamin M. and Earl Fletcher, of Ashland, Neb. The five that preceded her to the spirit land were Cora L., Nannie, Frankie and two infant children.

She united with the Old School Baptist Church at Pisgah, Putnam County, Indiana, in June 1868, in which faith she remained until her spirit took its flight to God who gave it. Her last days on earth were full of suffering yet she bore all with patience and resignation. She expressed herself as being ready and willing to go and eight hours before her death closed her eyes upon this earth and passed peacefully away. A short funeral service was held at the house after which burial took place in Ashland Cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. G. M. Jones officiating.

In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, memorial services will be held at the old home in Indiana at the old Pisgah Church, where her girlhood days were spent.”

Mrs. Fletcher spent the greater part of her life in Montgomery and Putnam Counties, having removed to Nebraska only eight years ago. Her many friends and neighbors are shocked to hear of her death and express sympathy for the bereaved family in their sad loss. - kbz