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Fleming, the fifteenth governor, (January 8, 1889-January 3, 1893), was born at Panama Park, in Duval County, on September 28, 1841, the son of Lewis and Margaret (Seton) Fleming. His father farmed a St. Johns river plantation, and the son was educated at home by tutors. Prior to Florida's secession from the Union, Fleming engaged in business.

With the War, he enlisted as a private in a company of volunteers which was incorporated into the famous 2nd Florida Regiment. He earned a Virginia battlefield promotion to First Lieutenant. While home on sick leave, he commanded a company of volunteers at the Battle of Natural Bridge. After the War, he studied law and achieved a statewide reputation. An outstanding achievement of Governor Fleming's administration was his call for a special session of the Legislature to establish a State Board of Health with the suppression of Yellow Fever as its immediate responsibility. After his term as governor, he served on the board of trustees of the new Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home. He died in Jacksonville on December 20, 1908.