Fleming was the founder, with Billy Florence, of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in 1872.

He was the second son of Lorenzo Dow Fleming, then a clergyman and later a physician practising in Canandaigua and Rochester, and Margaretta Rich.

He joined the National Guard in 1870 and was staff surgeon of the Third Brigade with the rank of colonel, becoming major before retiring about 1885 or 1886.

He stopped practicing in April 1909 after suffering a stroke and eventually retired to his elder son's home in Mt.

Fleming was, with Billy Florence, founder of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in 1872.