Researched by the late Leroy Haas
Fletcher Golden was born on 8 July 1826 in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. He died on 29 May 1890 in John May’s home in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. He was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio. Fletcher Goldens Obituary- 26 June 1890.
Elder Fletcher Golden, who died 30 May 1890, near Prestonsburg, Kentucky, was a son of Martial and Penia Dilly Golden, who married and settled in Upper Township, Lawrence Co., Ohio, in 1823. He lived in the same place until he died in October 1863, being 60 years old. His mother remained on the homestead until Feb.1, 1884, when she died being past 83 years of age.
Fletcher Golden was born on 8 July 1826; brought up on a farm and remained a farmer until 1849 or 1850. After becoming a Justice of the Peace, he moved to Ironton, where he remained until about 20 years since. His family moved to the farm of Lewis Brewer, just back of Ashland, Ky., and while there, nearly 18 years since,
He commenced preaching, having joined the M.E. Church South, where he remained until his death, being a local preacher until about six years since. He ordained an Elder and remained such until his death. His funeral occurred June 1, 1890, at 5 pm at Woodland Cemetery, where his body lies.
Fletcher Golden was married when about 18 years of age to Harriet Lionbarger, who resided with her father in a log house about where Hon. H. S. Neal`s dwelling is now situated in Ironton. Fletcher has been a farm hand for her father, plowing and mowing over the ground where the city of Ironton now stands. A short time after his marriage, he went to housekeeping on the farm of Elias Lambert. He farmed and kept a wood yard for steamboats until Ironton became a place of business.
Having been a Justice of the Peace since age 21, he set up in Ironton, building a residence on Olive and & 7th St. where the Dupuy residence now stands. He also carried on a brickyard near the Ebert Brewery. He was also admitted to the bar as a lawyer about 1850; commenced practice as a partner with S. P. Calvin. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Golden was elected Probate Judge, and remained in that office until January 1858.
Having been elected Prosecuting Attorney in the fall of 1857, he resigned from the office of Probate Judge, which term did not expire until the third Monday of February 1858. He entered the duties of Prosecutor on January 1st, serving two years. Then followed the practice of law until the war broke out in 1861. He was taking the place of brother Thomas in Capt. Georges three month Cavalry Company insisted on his brother staying home and seeing his aged father, who was in bad health and collecting up old claims and caring for his own family, preferring to face the music and bullets to staying at home.
After serving his time in that company, he returned home and, after a short time, went to Capt. Jos. L. Barber`s Co. in Virginia remained a member until discharged, bringing a Captain’s Commission home. He was wounded in the right shoulder at Hatchers Run on 5 Feb 1865 and mustered out on 27 Jun 1865 at Petersburg, Va.
He was known as one who would plead the cases of the officers and men when they disobeyed orders, got into trouble, etc., and was a brave and honorable soldier.
Fletcher Golden was baptized by Elder Baldwin, pastor of Zoar Church.
Fletcher Golden, when about 20 years old, united with the Baptist Church, and on profession, was baptized by Elder Baldwin, who was pastor of the Zoar Church; about that time, making known to some persons he was called to preach, he remained an active worker in the church and Sunday School up to about the commencement of the war, being church clerk almost all of the time.
By his first wife, three children were born, all of whom are still living – Alice Powell, living in West Ironton; Clara, wife of Ruben Lambert, below West Ironton. And Albert Golden, living back of Ironton on Hecla Company lands. Their mother had died when they were quite small, about 1854. He married Maria Scott, sister of Uriah B. Scott, late of Russell, Kentucky. She now mourns a widow at Inez, Martin Co., Ky.
They had born unto them six children. One of them was run over by a four-horse team near the Register office on the 4th. of July and killed. Laura, wife of Chas. McKnight is their oldest child living in Ironton. Three children live in Kentucky and Virginia, two married and one single.
During his services as a minister, hundreds felt the power of the Gospel, united with the church, and became faithful workers for the master. He fell at his post of duty, being over 40 miles from home, and remained at the same place for thirteen days, in great bodily suffering, and died; cause probably resulting from injuries received in the army: chronic diarrhea, rheumatic pain, causing heart trouble. He was cared for as much as circumstances would permit.
He died on the banks of Sandy River and had to be brought here on a Sandy boat in the hot sun. From Friday until Sunday noon, the body was so exposed to heat that it could not be seen. The church minister attended with the body and did all they could. Rev. Z. Meek of Catlettsburg and others made touching and truthful remarks regarding his 18 years as a preacher and Elder with them and his strong faith in the power of the Gospel of Christ to save men.
(Taken from the Ironton, Ohio Register newspaper June 26, 1890). Fletcher is buried under a large obelisk stone with other relatives close by.
Fletcher was a very sick man for many years. He spent time in hospitals in Washington, DC, and Baltimore while in the army. His physical problems appeared while in the army with Captain George. He could not practice law very much after that. He returned to the service it appears to receive medical attention as much as for any other reason.
Fletcher’s pension application was #656.254. His widow, Maria, received a pension via certificate #286173 at $12 per month.
He was married to Harriet Lionbarger in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. Harriet Lionbarger died on Jun 10, 1851, in Hecla Landing, Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. She was buried in Henry Cemetery, Lawrence Co., Ohio. Fletcher Golden and Harriet Lionbarger had the following children:
29 i. Alice Golden.
30 ii. Clara Golden.
31 iii. Albert Golden.
He married Maria L. Scott on May 20, 1852, in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio. Maria L. Scott was born on Dec 10, 1832. She died on Aug 9, 1900, in Eden, Kentucky. Fletcher Golden and Maria L. Scott had the following children:
32 i. Laura Golden was born in 1852 in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio.
33 ii. Effie Luella Golden was born in 1854. She was buried on Mar 1, 1857.
34 iii. Penina Elizabeth Golden was born in 1854. She died on Jan 28, 1864.
35 iv. Fletcher Golden died on Jul 5, 1860, in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. Fletcher was the child of Fletcher Golden. (Judge). A four-horse team ran over the boy in front of the Ironton Register Newspaper on the 4th of July 1860.
36 v. Ruby Golden was born in 1860.
37 vi. Robert Martial Golden was born on Jan 5, 1868, in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. He died on Jul 10, 1868, in Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio.
38 vii. Grace W Golden was born on Oct 4, 1874.
Martin County, KY., there was a Fletcher Golden who started the Methodist church in this county, one sy Warfield snd one in Inez, . Is this one of your family members?m