Mr. Cress was buried on 9 Jun 1907 in Cedar Point, KS. He was a Sheriff in Morris Co, KS. Fletcher served as Sheriff for two terms. He was an Ox term driver in Morris Co, KS. In earlier days, he served some time driving an ox team in a freight caravan from Westport, MO to Santa Fe, NM. They had lots of trouble with the Indians on some of these trips. He was married to Eliza Emmeline Williams on 6 Oct 1863 in Douglas Co, KS. Ezra Johnson, MG, officiated. They moved to Morris Co, KS soon after their marriage and were on a farm near Latimer on Clark's Creek. A few years later, they homesteaded a farm near Parkerville, KS where they lived until 1900 when they moved to Cedar Point, KS.

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From William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas:

J. F. CRESS was born in Lee County, Va., May 1, 1840, living there until 1857, when he removed to Kansas, remaining one year in Douglas County, and the following year he removed to Morris County, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and stock raising, making a specialty of farm stock. He has two farms, one in Parker Township, in Section 16, of 160 acres, 100 acres under cultivation, the rest pasture and timber, and all under fence. The other is in Highland Township, consisting of 240 acres in Section 22; 100 acres under cultivation, the rest pasture land. On this farm are two miles of hedge fence, good orchard and other substantial improvements. His livery stable in Parkersville is one of the best stables in the State, being a large two-story building of cut stone above, (front being Masonic Hall), 52 feet front and 80 feet deep, with a capacity of thirty head of horses in single stalls, 2,000 bushels of grain and twenty tons of hay. He employs in his livery business twelve to eight horses, sic besides upwards of fifty head that he has for sale, and three trotting and draft stallions. He makes a specialty of raising farm horses. Mr. Cress is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being the present Master of Parkersville Lodge. He is also a member of I.O.O.F. order, and has been a member of the Union Baptist Church since 1865. He has also held a number of civil offices, such as Mayor, member of Council several years, and School and Township Treasurer the past eight years. He was married, near Lawrence, Kas., October 6, 1863, to Miss Eliza E. Williams. They have eight children--Alba M., Banna F., Parker W., Everett L., Blanche V., Dicy A., Myrtle A. and Loyd E.

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The Council Grove Republican (Council Grove, Kansas)
13 June 1907, Thu, Page 5

Fletcher Cress, formerly of this city, and a highly esteemed citizen, passed away at his home in Cedar Point Friday night. Mr. Cress was formerly sheriff of this county and served his term as first sheriff as the new jail was finished.