HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK 495
Capt. William Fancher 
was born at German Flats, Herkimer Co, NY, June 1, 1823, and was the youngest of a family of nine children.  His father, Enos Fancher, was a farmer and blacksmith in moderate circumstances. His mother's maiden name was Sally Roberts, of English and Welsh decent.  His father died during William's infancy, but his mother managed to give him a fair common school education.
   At about the age of sixteen he went to work with his brother, George Fancher, of West Winfield, Herkimer Co., at the blacksmith business, but becoming dissatisfied with his occupation and desirous of change, he enlisted in the United States military service at Albany, on the 13th of July, 1841, and served for a period of five years when he was honorably discharged at New York, in July, 		 came to Leon, N.Y. and went to work with his brother, John Fancher (then a resident of Leon), at the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for about a year, when he and his brother purchased a farm on one hundred and fourty-six acres in the east part of Leon.
  In September, 1852, he was married to Lydia Mills, daughter of Thomas Mills, and old resident of Leon. Mr. Fancher worked on his farm until the commencement of the civil war, frequently holding responsible positions in the town.  In the spring of 1861, Capt. Fancher was elected to the office of supervisor of Leon, but on the breaking out of the Rebellion his military talent was again called into requisition; a company of home guards was formed of which he was elected captain.  Sept. 13, 1861 he enlisted in the military service and soon received a captain's 
CAPTAIN WILLIAM FANCHER
 1846.  As first sergeant of Company F (Capt. H. Day commanding), Second Regiment United States Infantry.
  During the period of his enlistment he was much of the time in active service, first in the Florida and afterward in the Mexican war, during which his regiment was attached to Gen. Scott's command, he was present at the taking and capitulation of the city of Mexico, as well as many other battles during the campaign.  After the close of the Mexican war he was for some time employed as recruiting officer for the United States army.
  Soon after his discharge he re-enlisted in the United States naval service, in which he served four years, and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.
  During the period of his service he was much of the tme employed in the foreign service, accompanying the expedition in Japan, China, etc.  He was discharged at San Francisco, in 1850, and was for a short time employed in the custom-house.  In the spring of 1851 he 		  commission in Co. K,  64th Regiment. He was in active service until the latter part of March, 1862, when he was stricken down by typhoid fever, and on the last of May following he received a furlough and was allowed to return home. He reached the residence of his father-in-law, Thomas Mills, May 17, 1862, and died on the 24h following, the relentless hand of death cutting short what bade fair to be an honorable and useful career.
  Capt. Fancher left two children - a daughter and son.  The former, Evangeline, is now the wife of Dr. A.A. Hubbell, of Leon; and the son, Albert T., is in the mercantile business, in the firm of Shannon & Co, Leon.  Capt. Fancher's widow is still living at Leon.  The captain was a man of strict integrity and good business habits. He was highly respected as a citizen of his town, and his loss was severely felt by a large circle of friends,.  His remains repose in the cemetery at Leon Centre, but his memory is still cherished in the hearts of his friends and townsmen.