Gov. Frederick D. Fancher. In studying the lives and characters of prominent men we are naturally led to inquire into the secret of their success, and the motives that have prompted their action. Success is oftener a matter of experience and sound judgment and thorough preparation for a life work than it is of genius, however bright. When we trace the career of those whom the world acknowledges as successful and of those who stand highest in public esteem, we find in almost every case they are those who have risen gradually by their own efforts, their diligence and perseverance. These qualities are undoubtedly possessed in a large measure by the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and added to these is a devotion to principle that may well be termed the keynote of his character.
Governor Fancher was born in Orleans County, New York, April 2, 1832, a son of E. Tillotson and Julia A. (Kenyon) Fancher, also natives of that state, as was the grandfather, Richard Fancher, who spent his entire life there engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father followed farming and stock raising in New York until 1867, when he removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, and made his home there until going to Washington, D. C., in 1882, where he now resides. In his family were only two children.
Governor Fancher was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools and in the State Normal of Michigan. In 1871 he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in fire underwriting until coming to North Dakota in 1881. He took up a claim in Stutmnan County, proved up the same and engaged in farming for some time, making a specialty of wheat. He also managed farms for other parties. In I889 he organized the Alliance Hail Association, of which he was president for six years, and was also president of the board of trustees of the North Dakota Hospital for the Insane for the same length of time.
In 1874 Governor Fancher married Miss Florence S. Van Voorhies, a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of John J. Van Voorhies. Socially our subject is a prominent Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he has always affiliated with the Republican Party, and has taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs, doing all in his power to insure the success of his party and advance its interest. In 1889 he was elected to the constitutional convention of North Dakota, and made president of the same. In 1892 he was nominated for insurance commissioner and was defeated, but in 1894 he was re-nominated and elected and re-elected in 1896. Two years later he was the nominee of his party for governor and elected to that office, which he is now so creditably filling. Never were the reins of government in more capable hands, for he is a progressive man, preeminently public-spirited, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsement.
Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota 1900 Page 159