Woman of the Century/Lisa Anne Fletcher

LISA ANNE FLETCHER. FLETCHER, Mrs. Lisa Anne, poet, born in Ashby, Mass., 27th December, 1844. Her maiden name was Stewart. When she was two years old, her father died, and when she was sixteen, her mother died. There were no other children in the family. In 1864 she became the wife of Edwin S. Fletcher, of Manchester, N. H., since which time her home has been in that city. From earliest childhood she has shown an almost equal fondness for music, painting and poetry. In 1865 she was stricken with diphtheria in its most malignant form, and since that time her life has been full of suffering, and these later years she has been an invalid. She is an example of what can be accomplished under great difficulties by firmness of spirit, force of will and a brave perseverance. All her work is done in a reclining position. She has a large correspondence, partly through the Shut-In Society. Thousands of letters have gone forth from her corner and fulfilled their mission of cheer and comfort. It is as an artist she excels. She is now painting a collection of wild flowers that grow about Manchester, and has already about one-hundred-thirty kinds. With firm health she would doubtless have made a great name for herself, especially in painting wild flowers. In June, 1888, she allowed herself for the first time to write verse in earnest Her poems have appeared in a large number of the best magazines and periodicals. Her love for birds amounts to a passion, and much that is interesting might be said of her studies of the wild birds from her window. A local secretary of the Audubon Society, she has done noble work in their behalf. A constant sufferer both physically and mentally, she yet accomplishes more work than many who are strong and well. Possessed of an intense love of beauty in every form, she deeply feels the fetters under which her spirit struggles, and longs for the freedom of larger opportunities.