Thomas Clement Fletcher

Biography

Thomas Clement Fletcher rose from Missouri boyhood to serve as governor at the close of the Civil War, becoming the first in the state to issue an emancipation proclamation of his own. A veteran of the Union Army, he believed deeply in the men and women who had fought, and he sought to honor their sacrifice through inclusive governance.

During his term he worked to stabilize Missouri’s finances, improve its schools, and welcome returning soldiers back into civilian life. His leadership style blended firmness with compassion, and he remained a respected elder statesman who guided younger generations through Reconstruction’s challenges.