Duncan upshaw fletcher biography

American politician (1859–1936)

Duncan Upshaw Fletcher (January 6, 1859 – June 17, 1936) was an American lawyer and politician of the Democratic Party.

Senator Fletcher was the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Florida's history. He also served two terms as Mayor of Jacksonville and served in the Florida House of Representatives.

Duncan upshaw fletcher biography wikipedia

Early life and career

Born near Americus, Georgia, Fletcher studied law at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated in 1880 and was admitted to the bar the following year. He set up a law practice in the city of Jacksonville, Florida.

He was a founding member of the Jacksonville Bar Association and its first president. He was an early investor in 1,300 acres (5.3 km²) in the area now called Fort Lauderdale, more specifically Wilton Manors, to start the company known then as Florida Fiber, a sisal hemp farming operation.

He was general counsel for several railroads, including the Flor