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FLETCHER A. CUTLER. - Until his removal a few years ago to San Francisco, Judge Cutler made his home at Eureka,
and he still retains important interests in Humboldt county, the scene of his early life and of the successes which
marked the beginning of his brilliant career at the bar. He is now practicing with ex Governor Gillett, as the
junior member of a partnership established over ten years ago. His experience on the bench was obtained as judge
of the Superior court of Del Norte county. Paternally and maternally Judge Cutler may be proud of the part his
immediate ancestors have had in the history of Eureka. His father was a business man of the town for many years
after his settlement here, in 1869. His mother was the first public school teacher here.
The Cutler family is one of long standing in this country, the emigrant ancestor, Puritious Cutler, having come
from England and settled in Massachusetts during the early Colonial period. It was represented on the Colonial
side during the Revolutionary war, and a number of the name have been known for distinguished military service,
political prominence and professional attainments. Thomas Cutler, the Judge's father, was born March 29, 1829,
on a farm in the town of Killingly, Conn., and grew up there. He came to California with the first rush of settlers
after the discovery of gold, making the voyage around the Horn on the George Washington, which landed him at San
Francisco in August, 1849. So far as known, only one of his fellow passengers on the voyage outlived him. Proceeding
immediately to Mokelumne Hill, in Calaveras county, he began, mining, and had more than average success there and
at his later locations, Chinese Camp and Copperopolis, also engaging in merchandising. In 1869 he removed to Eureka,
in Humboldt county, where he was in business as a merchant for over a quarter of a century following, until his
retirement in the year 1896. For several years he served as collector of the port of Eureka, and he was honored
with various other positions of trust in his adopted city, where his high character and ability received deserved
recognition. From the time he took up his residence here he was active in its business and public life, taking
a prominent part in the administration of the local government, and by his conspicuous efficiency and public spirited
conservation of the welfare of his fellow citizens won so high a place in their esteem that his name will be permanently
enrolled among those who established its institutions upon a sound basis. Though he began life without capital
other than his abilities he accumulated a comfortable competence and did well by his family, in all of the relations
of life so conducting himself that he was considered one of the worthiest citizens of his generation, to which
he was widely known. In 1901 he moved to Oakland, Cal., hoping that his failing health would benefit by the change,
but though he had been a strong man in his prime he did not rally, and he died June 30, 1902. He was buried in
Mountain View cemetery, Oakland, with Masonic rites, the services being conducted by Live Oak Lodge, F. & A.
M., and a committee representing the Society of California Pioneers, of which he was a member. He had been a charter
member of George Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., of Chinese Camp, Cal. Mr. Cutler married Sarah L. Buck, a native
of Watertown, Maine, who came alone to California when a young woman and soon afterward located at Eureka, where
she was the first public school teacher. She afterwards joined her brother at Chinese Camp, and taught there for
a few terms, until her marriage. Some years later she returned to Eureka with her husband and family, and for a
time had a class of private pupils, whom she instructed with her sons in her own home. Of the four children born
to Mr. and Mrs. Cutler, Thomas B. became connected with the Del Norte County Bank at Crescent City, Cal.; Fletcher
A. is mentioned below; Maude became the wife of H. T. Compton, of Stockton, Cal.; Mary completed the family. Mrs.
Cutler continued to reside at Oakland after her husband's death, retaining in her old age the charm of manner and
attractive personality for which she is remembered by many old friends at Eureka.
Fletcher A. Cutler was born May 4, 1863, at Chinese Camp, Tuolumne county, Cal., and being but six years old when
the family settled at Eureka has little recollection of his earliest home. He acquired his preparatory education
under the direct tuition of his accomplished mother, subsequently studied for a time in the preparatory department
of the State University at Berkeley, and completed the course at the boys' high school in San Francisco, from which
he was graduated. Returning to Eureka, he soon afterwards received appointment as under sheriff of Humboldt county
during the administration of Sheriff T. M. Brown, and during the five years of his service in that position devoted
his spare time to reading law. At the end of that period he entered the law office of his uncle, S. M. Buck, at
Eureka, to carry on his preparation for the legal profession systematically, and he was admitted to the bar in
the year 1887. He was at once admitted to partnership with the uncle mentioned, with whom he was associated until
his appointment by Governor Budd, some ten years later, to fill a vacancy on the bench of the Superior court in
Del Norte county. After four years' service on the bench Judge Cutler returned to Humboldt county in January, 1903,
and resumed the practice of law at Eureka in partnership with Hon. J. N. Gillett, who was then representing the
district in Congress and has since been honored with the governorship. Gillett and Cutler, by the individual and
collective value of their services, have attained position among the foremost attorneys in the state. Mr. Cutler
moved to San Francisco when he felt that he could handle his legal work better with his headquarters in the metropolis,
and has an office at Room 617, No. 525 Market street. The firm has included among its clients the Bank of Eureka,
the Santa Fe Railway Company, the Northern California, San Francisco & Northwestern and Freshwater Railway
Companies, and other concerns of notable importance, and the list of all those who.have felt their legal affairs
safe in the care of Gillett & Cutler contains the names of some heavily capitalized organizations who could
not afford to risk engaging anything but the best talent.
Judge Cutler had hardly reached his prime when he found himself occupying a leading position at the bar of his
state. Yet his reputation has been founded on so solid a foundation that time has strengthened it and tests have
left it unshaken. The thorough training he received at home set a high standard for his later studies, and he has
maintained it through all his years of practice, giving his best to every case, as if all his personal interests
depended thereon. His honorable nature and high principles would make it impossible for him to slight the details
of anything he undertakes, and though he is noted for his familiarity with the law, and the judicial sense which
enables him to see the applicability of the statutes to whatever work he may have in hand, he never neglects to
give special attention to each case, with results which justify his methods. His success in presenting cases in
court is so indisputably attained by careful and exhaustive preparation and logical arrangement, that his power
as a pleader and cleverness in making the most of his arguments seem spontaneous. Judge Cutler has always been
admired for his strict observation of the best ethics of the profession, his consideration for his fellow practitioners,
and the avoidance of tactics unworthy a man of his undoubted skill.
Judge Cutler was always considered one of the public spirited citizens of Eureka, ready to do his share in promoting
her advancement along every line, and his interest has not ceased since his removal, though his opportunities for
practical assistance are not so great. He still has important property holdings in the city and county, where he
has made a number of profitable investments. At one time he owned a sixth interest in the eighty acre tract upon
which the depot and yards of the Eel River Railroad were established (some years ago that company was merged with
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe), and he has also acquired valuable redwood timber lands.
Outside of his judicial duties before mentioned, the only public position Judge Cutler has held was that of postmaster
at Eureka, to which he was appointed by President Cleveland. He served from 1893 to 1897. His political support
has always been given to the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Masons, belonging
to Lincoln Lodge No. 34, K. P.; Crescent Lodge No. 43, F. & A. M., of Crescent City, Cal.; Humboldt Chapter
No. 52, R. A. M.; and Eureka Commandery No. 35, K. T. He was a member of the Humboldt Club, and prominent in Humboldt
Parlor No. 14, Native Sons of the Golden West, at Eureka, also serving as grand trustee of the grand parlor.
On February 2, 1887, Mr. Cutler was married to Miss Eicula M. Warner, who was born in Nevada, daughter of Capt.
Charles C. and Lucie (Kent) Warner. One daughter has been born to them, Lucie.
From:
History of Humboldt County, California
With a Biographical Sketches
History by Leigh H. Irving
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, California 1915
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