Description:This is an abridged biography from the Handsworth Magazine. The full biography is available as a download.
Thomas Fletcher lived at 119 Stamford Road in Handsworth in 1900. Prior to that he resided in Hall Road.
He was born in the great mercantile city of Liverpool some forty-six years ago, but shortly after his birth his parents removed to Chester, where he was educated and equipped for his business career. Soon after attaining his majority he married and settled down in Liverpool as a baker of some importance. In the course of two or three years he succeeded in building up a thriving little business, but the unexpected happened. Mrs Fletcher's health completely broke down and an entire change of environment became necessary. Mr Fletcher disposed of his shop and at once migrated with his wife to Birmingham, her native place, where she speedily regained her usual robust health.
Again fortune favoured him and the establishment, which he took over in Great Hampton Street became, under his care, a flourishing concern until now it is one of the largest businesses of its kind in Birmingham.
But Mr Fletcher has interests that are quite distinct from his trade relations. He is a life-long abstainer and a warm advocate of temperance principles. For many years he had taken an active part in work of this description, acting as Secretary to a large total abstinence Society held in Unett Street and frequently giving addresses. He has also associated himself with the work inaugurated by the Evangelical Free Council, a praiseworthy body of earnest minded men who aim at improving the social condition of the people and the uplifting of fallen human beings. The council is composed of non-conformist ministers and church representatives and Mr Fletcher has the honour of being one of the representatives of Unett Street Chapel upon that body.
To come nearer to home, Mr Fletcher has been instrumental in starting Sunday music in the parks. Thanks to his good offices the frequenters of the Burbury Street park have for the past four or five Sundays had their ears regaled with sacred orchestral concerts. Such well-known bands as the Birmingham Excelsior, Midland Brewery and the Warwickshire Regimental have already given their services and some excellent musical treats are yet in store. Mr Fletcher admits that his views on Sunday music in parks are not shared by all people, but he is firmly of the opinion that such selections as are played are only capable of good results. That the innovation is appreciated is amply shown by the large crowds that assemble in the parks each week to listen to the music and the consistently good behaviour of the populace.
Mr Fletcher was elected on the Birmingham City Council in November, 1894, to fill the vacancy caused by the elevation of Councillor Bowkett to the position of alderman. He sits for St George's ward and is a member of the improvement committee, the asylums committee and is one of the three representatives of the council upon the Birmingham Proof House. Personally he is of the Liberal Unionist persuasion, but as a Councillor he is content to waive aside all political considerations. In local religious circles he is held in esteem as a foremost member of the Unett Street Methodist New Connexion Chapel, of which he is a trustee. His favourite hobby is photo-micrography and for the study of this and the development of his photographic plates he has furnished a neat and compact studio.