Thomas Fletcher

Thomas Fletcher (April 8, 1817 – February 26, 1880) was an American politician and lawyer who served as acting governor of Arkansas from November 4 to 15, 1862, following the resignation of Henry M. Rector. He was president of the Arkansas Senate from 1858 to 1864, and in exile at Washington, Arkansas until 1865.

Early life Fletcher was born on April 8, 1817, at Nashville, Tennessee. He became prominent in the profession of law and, during the Polk administration, was appointed a United States marshal. An attorney in Hinds County, Mississippi in 1850, he later moved to Arkansas County, Arkansas. Turning to elective politics, he represented the 18th district in the Arkansas Senate from 1858 to 1864, and in the State government in exile at Washington, Arkansas until the end of the American Civil War.

Acting governor of Arkansas Fletcher's two weeks as acting governor of Arkansas were initiated by the November 4, 1862 resignation of Henry M. Rector, who had lost his bid for reelection in the general election held on October 6, 1862. Fletcher, as president of the Arkansas Senate became the acting governor until the winner of the election, Harris Flanagin, took office on November 15.