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Digitized by the Internet Archive
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http://www.archive.org/details/familyhistoryofjOObrow
WILLIAM II. BROWN
FAMILY HISTORY
OF
Jeremiah Fenton
(1764-1841)
O F
Adams County, Ohio
and
His Descendants
BY
WILLIAM B. BROWN
DES MOINES, IOWA 1910
B NEW YORK
;LIC LIBRARY
483531
*EH FOUNDATION
To the Memory of My Mother Rachel Fenton Brown
This Book is not Copyrighted
\n\ One May Copy Freely Herefrom With
or Without Credit
^^P'HE Fentons, especially the \m former generations, have been farmers. They have been rep- resentative of the best citizenship of the Republic. They have been loyal to the country's flag- and have been on the right side of all great moral questions. If they have not acquired great riches they have as a rule been well-to-do people, honest, indus- trious and true."
Lucien Jerome Fenton.
PREFACE.
The writer spent four years of his boyhood life at Win- chester, Ohio, and came to know intimately many Fentons; and came in time to learn of and appreciate the many ad- mirable characteristics of the Fentons generally. Among these characteristics may be noted, honesty, frankness, hos- pitality, generosity, piety, industry, amiability, decent con- duct and right living. And while few Fentons have "set the world on firev or won very conspicuous success, some have inscribed their names high on the walls of fame. One sat in the Congress of the United States for two terms, and another won world fame as a journalist. Several offered their lives to save the Union in the great war of the Rebel- lion, and many of them have achieved moderate success. So far as is known To the writer, none have been convicted of crime or even charged with crime. The rank and file of Fentons have not been ambitious for political office or fame, too much Quaker blood in their veins, but, as good farm- ers, they have lived tin1 simple life close to nature, paid their debts, worshipped as Methodists and kept themselves free and unspotted from the world.
Three years ago by chance the writer came upon a family record of his paternal ancestry prepared by Dr. Andrew Brown, of Eustis, Florida, extending back to 1625. This suggested the need of such a history of Fentons and, being anxious to know more of his maternal ancestry, the writer determined to prepare this family record. The work lias taken more or less time out of nearly every business day for three years and has cost some money to collect male- rial which will not come back, except in the appreciation of the book by those who really prize such things; but that is pay enough. The book was not written to make money, but to perform a pleasant duty.
A work of this kind cannot be prepared without a greal deal of help from others and the writer here and now ex- presses his gratitude to all those who have kindly complied
VIII
with his requests to furnish information, and particularly to Hon. James K. Fenton and Hon. Lucien J. Penton for valuable information respecting old-time Fentons; to Hon. E. B. Stivers for permission to quote from his History of Adams County; to Mr. James \Y. Eylar for much valuable help in connection with the Eylar family; to Miss Mary McPherson for collecting material as to the Jesse Fenton family; to Earl F. Keyes, Esq., and Mrs. Kosanna I lowland in connection with the Tolly Baird family; to Prof. Wm. Stevenson for full information as to the Catherine Eck- man family; and to Henry N. Baker, Esq., for valuable papers and other matter in connection with Jeremiah Fen- ton (1764), William Fenton (1790), and his sister, Delilah Fenton. The writer has gathered material also from the following books: "Steere's Book," owned by James L. Robinson, Winchester. Virginia, which includes some of the Frederick county, Virginia, Fentons; L. H. Everts & Company's "History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania;"' and Evans & Stivers "History of Adams County, Ohio."
Further acknowledgment must be made of financial help,
for without extra contributions of money the book could not be published. The writer would have had to drop the whole matter had not lion. L. .1. Fenton come forward vol- untarily with generous coin ribut ions of money. Those who receive this book should realize their debt to him in this matter. Mrs. Mary II. Liggett, of Blue Springs, Missouri, Mr. A. L. Fenton, of Atchison, Kansas, and his sister, Mrs. A. (). Delaney, of Leona, Kansas, have also been generous in contributions of money; ami to all those who subscribed for one or more copies thanks are hereby given.
One of the first questions which will come to the reader is whether or not the dales, names and other historical mailer sei forth herein can he depended upon as accurate and correct. All of the dales, names and other matter found in this hook have been twice checked over with the papers furnished by representatives of the differenl fami- lies ami are correct, ami the writer believes thai all of the data contained in this I k can be depended upon. Here
IX
and there, of course, an error will be found, lmr taking into consideration the large number of dates, names, etc., the errors found will likely be very few. In seeking informa- tion respecting any family the writer has taken pains to communicate only with those competent to furnish the in- formation correctly.
There will likely be dissatisfaction among some because their picture or the picture of some one or more of their friends is not given herein, and the writer has found a great deal of difficulty in deciding upon what pictures ought to be put in tht1 book. All will understand that il- lustrations greatly add to the cost of the publication and thai their number necessarily must be limited. The Wil- liam Feuton family is favored above all others, as the pic- ture of each of his sons and daughters, except one. is given, but it must be remembered that his family and descend- ants outnumber each of the other families of the sons and daughters of Jeremiah Feuton; and furthermore, the writ- er, being a member of the William Feuton family ami being out a great deal of money, time and labor in preparing the book, has felt that it is no more than right to make an ex- ception in this case. Others will notice that the Benjamin Feuton family has been favored in respect to pictures. However, they are entitled to this favoritism, for the reason that they have subscribed for far more copies of the book and paid more extra money besides than any other family, and not only this, they have also splendidly helped in collecting material and constantly encouraged the writer to go on with the work.
In most other cases where photographs of living persons are inserted it is because of the fact that the parties them- selves have been generous with subscriptions. The writer wishes that it were possible to insert the pictures of ali those who care to have him do so. This being impossible he has adjusted the matter as best he could.
Aii'ain, some may feel that they or t licit friends have not received enough mention in the reading matter. On this point the writer's conscience is entirely clear. All have been asked to furnish the writer matters of interest and ab-
X
solutely everything tendered him has been printed. Those who failed to contribute matter as requested have only themselves to blame.
A careful count shows that there are, living and dead, 459 descendants of Jeremiah Fenton (1764 ). Of this num- ber the William Fenton family leads with 128, composed of (*><► males and 62 females: the Elizabeth Eylar family follows closely with 113, 58 males and 55 females; next comes the Folly Baird family with 83, 41 males and 12 fe- males; then the family of Jeremiah Fenton with 49, 21 males and 25 females; next the Catherine Eckman family with 25, 8 males and 17 females; next the Jesse Fenton fam- ily with 21, 7 males and 17 females; next the Benjamin Fenton family with 16, 0 males and 10 females, and last the .John Fenton family with only 10, 1 males and 0 females. It is interesting to note that the Benjamin Fenton family, although next to the lowest in point of numbers, has done more than all the others combined to make possible the pub- lication of the book. It is strange thai not more than three or four persons outside the Benjamin Fenton family have voluntarily indicated any disposition to help financially further than to subscribe for one copy of tin; book.
Attention is called to the differences in the names now given by Fenton parents and those common among the early Fentons. In the family of Jeremiah Fenton, the pio- neer, we have Jeremiah, Benjamin, Rosanna, Polly, Deli- lah and others. These names were still iu common use in the next generation, but at the present time scarcely one of the old-fashioned names is iu use. Instead we have Grace, Maud, <Jladys, May, Helen, Marjorie, Evelyn, Lot- lie, Virginia, Evalena, .Mabel, Kathleen and the like.
The writer has noticed one other tact of some interest. Among all <>f the nearly 500 descendants of Jeremiah Pen- ton twin- were born on but three occasions; tirst to Polly Baird then to William McColgin, and next to the writer.
Is a publication of this kind worth while? There can be inn one answer to the question. The barest record of 151) human beings, with births, marriages, deaths, etc., when
XI
nil arc connected by tics of blood, must be worth preserving. Human life is too precious to allow no record to be kept of our blood relations.
In closing the writer desires to acknowledge very val- uable help from his good wife who twice read the proof of this hook; and whatever excellence it may have in freedom from printers* errors is due in part to her. A reward was given of five cents for each error discovered on the final
reading.
WILLIAM B. BROWN, Des Moines,
Iowa. January, 1910.
XII
Of
fee
Michael (?)
Enoch (?)
B JEREMIAH
William
(i 790- I 870)
Elizabeth I m'l Eylar (1792-1835)
Delilah (single) (1794-1883)
Jnhn
(1796-1855)
Jesse
I 1 7' 1' 1- 1 860 I
(1764-1841)
(111 ) Rosannah
Law rem e
1 I
Catherine (m1 Eckman 1 [801-1872)
Jeremiah
1 [803-186] 1
Mary [Polly]
1 in i Baird 1 [804-1875)
( leorge 1 single) 1 , !o8 (86l)
Benjamin
( 1 8 1 0 1 170
Joseph (single (1815-1846)
Samuel Lawrence 11,: 92
Ruhama (m 1 Horner 1821 [848
Rose Ann (1111 Horner [823-1873
Elizabeth I m 1 Skinner [825 Mary Ann (111) McColgin [827-1894 Delilah (m) Fenton .. _. [829-1907 Caroline im) Baker .. . . [832-1907
Jeremiah is.yS
Rachel (ml Brown 1 :'■
lames Kendall [838
William Baker___ [843
Rose Ann .. ._. [815-1815
Mary Ann (m) Moore [816-1891
Sarah Ann (m) McNown [818 1S77 Allied Allen . 1820-1882
I Ruth (m) Cockerill ...1822-1878 Joseph Fenton [824-1890
I John __ [826-1866
Benjamin Franklin... ___i828-i8
I David Shafer... __ 1831-1897
I olivet- Hazard 1834-1893
Allied . .1838-1894
Allen [840
I Elizabeth Jane [842
I John Milton 1845
[Louisa [836-1909
Ruth (m) Kendall [837
Turner [838-1904
! Ann Elizabeth ... 1842-1905
I Emma 1 m) M01 row .. [843-1908
Margaret 1845-1908
I [annah I m 1 M< Pherson .1848 I [arrison... 1850
[ Ann (ml Van Nest [827-1878
J Jeremiah [828-1836
John [830-1830
George. __ 1831-1847
William __ 1833-1839
j Rosanna 1836-1839
I Catherine .. [839-1849
I Emma Sophia 1111)
Stevenson [841-1890
I Maty Jane ...1847-1848
Nelson 1844
I Margaret Ann (m)
Howard [845
Mary Jane (nil Ennis [848
Elcena I m I Howard [851
I Russell [854
LRufus. .. 1857-1858
C Jeremiah _ 1833-1905
George [835-1890
Sarah Ann 11111 Eyler [837-190]
( Rosanna 1 m 1 Howland 1 ,9
1 Katherine 1839-1839
John [842
Mary (m) West [844-1898
Rufus . [849-1892
I Rosanna Juliet [839-1885 I Mary Lydia 1 m iMcKnight [842
j I.ueien Jerome [844
i Allien Washington . (846
j Emma Catherine... ...1848-1891
Pi iscilla Adelaide
I 111 I lellel \ s [85]
Martha .... ...1854
XIII
Partial Chart
Samuel Fenton Family
('Jeremiah (1779)
("Stiller Jerry") Wife, Susanna Record^
I Minerva — Alexander Elizabeth — Hughes Mary — Peterson John Wesley 1812 ( )rpha — Rounds Maria — Andrew s Susan — Hamilton Wilson Jeremiah
I Rachel— Wil-on
L Sallie— Massie
Samuel Fenton .J
(Elder brother of
Jeremiah 1764 |
I Alfred
Enoch Madison 1S22-1SS0
John ^ Samuel ("Big Sam")
(••Kentucky John") j Elizabeth. 2nd
wife of Judge Joseph Eylar
Enoch (drowned)
TT , f Elizabeth (m) Lafferty 1S21
Hannah 01 o
, t-,.. , ,. ... , Samuel 1022
m Ehiah Collins) i,--n- o £.
J William 1020
Sarah ( 1802-1885). - Martha Ann <m>
( m Nicholas Burwell)
I Mary
(m Wm. Craw- ford)
Partial Chart of William Horner Family
f James
Ephraim Bennet Horner
(m) Catherine rst wife, Ru-
Lawrence
Bottleman 1S30
Edward J. 1S34
Michael Henry ^39
Mary — Lock wood ^39
/■■sue of rst Mm 1 iage j Harriett
i m 1 Rees I Nelson
William Horner Hannah <m
\\ ill probated
Fayette County,
Pa.. June 13.
1829.
Wife, Anne
Sarah (m) Moore Thomas
Huff Benedict
Harriett(m | Preston Amos
hama Fen- ton. 2nd. Rose Ann
2d Mm 1 iage Joseph William James John Catherine
Elizabeth
1 Bennett
William Horner, the pioneer, was a close friend and neighbor oi John Lawrence and Jeremiah Fenton. and his descendants intermarried with both their descendants. He settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, very earlj at the solicitation of John Lawrence, and bought land of him by deed dated March 3, 179S. Many Homers yet live in Luzerne township, Fayette county, and their features strongly resemble those of the Adams county. Ohio. 1 lorners.
CHAPTER ONE
THE FENTON FAMILY.
The Fentons are a very old family. It is said that they originally came to England with the Normans and that the name is North German, from fen-ton or fen-toon, meaning a town in the lowlands. By sonic of the descend- ants it is said the home of the Fentons in England was in Lincolnshire, others say it was in Cornwallshire. Still ethers say in Yorkshire and that the Fentons came to America as Quakers with William Penn.
TIME OF LEAVING ENGLAND.
The writer has not been able to learn with certainty when the Fentons left England and' came to America; but it has been handed down through some of the older Fentons that it was in the year 1735. .Air. James \Y. Eylar, of Bendena, Kansas, who is a descendant of the Fentons, and well posted on early Fenton history, makes this statement to the writer:
'"Jeremiah Fenton (Sr.) came from England in 1735 and set tied in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. I have the informa- tion from the older Fentons."
PLACE OF SETTLEMENT.
Neither is it known definitely jtist where the Fentons located and settled on reaching this country. Among the descendants of Jeremiah Fenton it has been always under- stood that they tirst settled on Apple Pie Ridge, near Win- chester. Frederick county, Virginia, and thai some few set- tled in Loudoun county, Virginia. On the other hand the positive statement has been passed down among the de- scendants of Samuel Fenton, brother of Jeremiah, that the
1G FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
Fentons first settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Mr. John F. Fenton, of Oxford, Ohio, son of .John Wesley Fenton, and great grandson of Samuel Fenton, says: "My grandfather ("Stiller Jerry" Fenton) often told me he was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.'" This is near Phila- delphia.
The land and court records of Bucks county disclose the fact that many families of Fentons lived in that county be- tween 1700 and 1X00; and the land and court records in Frederick and Loudoun counties, Virginia, also show that numerous families of Fentons lived in those counties in the eighteenth century. There is also authority for the statement that the Fentons first settled in New Jersey. Hon. Warren S. Ely, professional genealogist of Doyles- town, Pennsylvania, says: "The emigrant ancestor was Eleazer Fenton, who came to New Jersey prior to the grant of Pennsylvania to William Penn, later moving to Pucks county, locating five or six miles east of here."
ENOCH FENTON.
It is well known among the descendants of Jeremiah Fenton that there was in the family an Enoch Fenton, who lived in Frederick county, Virginia, during the Revolu- tionary War. James Kendall Fenton, of Locust Grove, ( Miio, has this to say :
"I heard Uncle George Fenton. and my father (William Fenton, oldest son of Jeremiah) and brother Sam and Dick's father (Samuel Fenton, 1809) all talk about Enoch Fenton and Samuel Fenton, (brother of Jeremiah) being in the Revo- lutionary War. They would talk amusingly of Enoch con- structing a Trojan Morse and declaring death to all of the British."
The land records of Frederick county show that Enoch Fenton bought land there in 1774 ami in 1780. His will, dated March '2l\, 17S0, was proven April 2, 1S05. He left ;i widow, Sarah, and sons, John, Joseph, Benjamin and Enoch, and a daughter, Rebecah. He also left an estate of hinds, negroes and money. These lands are situated on Apple Pie Ridge, where .Jeremiah Fenton also lived.
FEXTOX FAMILY HISTORY 17
Respecting Enoch Fenton and Samuel Fenton, James K. Fenton states further:
"I am inclined to think they were brothers. I heard my father speak of his cousin Enoch Fenton being the best looking man he ever saw."
Enoch Fenton, whose will was proven in 1805, had a son Enoch, ami assume, as the tradition goes, that he was a brother of Samuel and Jeremiah, then his son Enoch would be a first cousin of William Fenton, eldest son of Jeremiah, thus making tradition and record agree. It may be men- tioned here that the name Enoch has been carried down in the Samuel Fenton family. He had a son Enoch who was drowned and a grandson Enoch Madison Fenton, and this grandson named his first son Enoch. This Enoch Madison was a first cousin of William Fenton 1 1700 ) and it may be that he was the good-looking cousin Enoch, already spoken of. However, he was quite generally called "Mat" Fenton, and was almost never called Enoch. That Enoch Fenton, whose name appears in the Virginia records, belonged to our Fentons, seems stire; and in all probability lie was a brother of Samuel and Jeremiah.
BIRTHPLACE OF JEREMIAH.
Since the traditions respecting the Fentons in Frederick county, Virginia, coincide with the official records, it is practically certain that Jeremiah, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born in Frederick county, Virginia. It may be equally true that his brother. Samuel, was born and lived ;i while in Bucks county, Pennsylvania.
The writer has set out on another page a chart of the early Fenton family of Bucks county, prepared by .Mr. Ely. It will surely be an object of interest.
Mr. Ely thinks that Jeremiah Fenton. Sr., was a son of Jeremiah Fenton shown on his chart, who was born in L691, died L732, the latter being the eldest son of Eleazer Fen- ton i L655-1704), by his second wife, Elizabeth Stacy. lb' owned no land, hence the record does not disclose his chil- dren, if any.
SS FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
This Jeremiah Fenton, of Mr. Ely, was poor and at the time of his death was living on a farm of his brother, Enoch, who made provision in his will for Jeremiah to continue to occupy a pari of his land without rent for nine years after the death of the testator. It will be seen hereafter thai Jeremiah Fenton, Si\, father of the subject of this hook, was also very poor and did not own land.
It is known among the descendants of Jeremiah Fenton, Jr., that while most of the early Fentons were Methodists there were also some of them Quakers. The Fentons of Mr. Ely's chart were Quakers. The Fentons in Frederick and Loudoun counties, Virginia, were some of them Meth- odists, some Quakers.
APPLE PIE RIDGE.
In passing it may be well to say a word respecting Apple Pie Ridge. This is an elevation of ground, of ridge-like
formation, or a series of continuous hills, extending lor a distance of several miles out from Winchester. This ridge has been for more than two hundred years, and is to this day, famous for its hue apple and peach orchards.
In July, 1908, the writer made a visit to Winchester especially to study early Fenton history and during his stay there drove out on the toll road pike to the residence of dames L. Robison, a direct descendant of Enoch Fenton. lie is a wealthy farmer and fruit grower. He says all of the Fenton- are now gone from Apple Pie Ridge and Fred- erick county, hut that some few yet live in Loudoun county, lie says the early Fentons lived on Bog creek or Babb's urn, about eight miles out from Winchester, and that some of them were Methodists and many of the same family were i junkers.
I f Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., had been a land owner in either Frederick or Loudoun county, Virginia, it would be com- paratively an easy task to carry his history back farther, Inn as shown by the records, he did not own any land id chin r of i hese count ies.
The writer spent considerable lime at Winchester, Vir- ginia, at the court house, trying to lind some trace of Jere-
FENTON FAMILY HISTORY 19
niiah Fenton, and he has also had the recorder of deeds make1 careful search, but no trace of the name can be found. Unfortunately the early tax records of Frederick county are not accessible. In tin1 loft at the court house are .ureal bundles of old tax records piled up and covered with dust, and while these, if accessible, would be of the greatest value to genealogists, it would take months, and would be prac- tically impossible, for private parties to go through them in their present condition. Some day the county officials may see the need of sorting out and classifying old records, and then it will likely be possible to find the name of Jeremiah Fenton among the early inhabitants of Frederick county.
JEREMIAH FENTON, SR.— SETTLES IN FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Jeremiah Fenton usually affixed "Jr.'* to his name, and thereby and also by official records, do we know that his father's name was also Jeremiah.
In the spring of 1784, joining the stream of restless emi- grants from Virginia to western Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., with his sons, Samuel, Michael and Jeremiah, Jr., left Frederick comity, Virginia, and settled on a farm about eight miles southeast of Redstone, Old Fort, now Brownsville, in Luzerne township, Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, Brownsville is on the Monongahela river.
Of course the writer cannot speak with absolute certain- ty of this date, but the well preserved Fayette county rec- ords tend to confirm him in the belief that it is correct. In the court house at Uniontown there is on tile among the court records a petition for a road, dated June 10, iTS4, signed by Jeremiah Fenton, Samuel Fenton, and by more than forty of their neighbors. It is not likely that these new settlers waited many months in their forest home he Ion petitioning for this road. The writer has lately sei a the original of this old paper now yellowed with age, and considered it of such value as to have it photographed and reproduced in this book. No doubt the reader will he m-
20 FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
terested in seeing with liis own eyes a picture of the hand- writing and signatures of Jeremiah Fenton, Si\, of Samuel Fenton, his son, and of John Lawrence, whose daughter, Rosannah, became the wife of Jeremiah Fenton, Jr.*
From the ''History of Fayette County" I quote as fol- lows respecting this road: "The course of the road lay through Luzerne and Menallen townships by way of Mr. Lawrence's, Mr. Fentings, and l>ig Meadow Branch, and so on to Uniontown."
The carefully kept tax records of Fayette county also establish the fact that Jeremiah Fenton lived there as early as list. The assessment of property roll of Luzerne town- ship for 1785 shows Jeremiah Fenton assessed that year as follows: "Land, none; horses, 1, value 5 pounds; hogs and cattle, 1, value 2 pounds." This assessment was made late in the fall of 17S4, and these are the earliest tax records in this county.
On another page is set out extracts from the fax records of Luzerne township, so far as they relate to the Fentons, from 17S5 to 17i)7, after which last named year, the name Fenton is no longer seen on the tax list. These records will prove interesting to students of Fenton history. They dis- close several important facts; among them, that Jeremiah, Si-., did not own land and owned but very little personal property; that Samuel, his son, was well to do and owned lands and horses and cattle of considerable value for those days; and that both Jeremiah, Sr., and Jeremiah, Jr., were "renters." Samuel may have received his land for his serv- ices in the Revolutionary War.
The name Jeremiah Fenton, "Single," and Jeremiah
*Said petition is as follows:
"To the worshipful the Justicies of the Peace for the eountv of Fiatt in the state ol Pensylvania at there next court of quarter sessions to he Ilolden at Beasons Town whereas we the Petitioners whose Names are under written do Humblely Request to have a Rode Laid out from James Crawfords ferry, the Nearest ami hest way to Beasons Town sd ferry Is situated on Monon- galah River ami aBout one mile ami a half below "the mouth of ten mile crick, sd Roade is much a wanting ami would he Very convinient for the [nhabitants of those Parts as also for Travellers the Inhabitants hereaways Labours under manv disadvantagies for want of sd Rode as we the Humble Petitioners in duty bound shall Pray— this ioth day of June one thousand seven hundred and Eightj four 1784—"
FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
21
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22 FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
Fenton, "Junior," appears along with the father's name on the tax rolls of 1788, assessmenl of L787. He became twenty-one in 1785 and the assessmenl made in ITsT was the firsl land assessmenl made thereafter. After 1 Tin; the mime of the father no longer appears on the tax rolls and as it is thought lie did not go with his sons over into Ken- tucky, it is likely that lie died in aboul the year 1 Tl>-~> or 1700. He was horn in England.
'Idie tradition is thai he was too old to he in the Revolu- tionary War. If he was too old to he n soldier when thai war began in 177(1, and if he came to America in 1 T - > r> , he must have been well up in years, and probably was over 65 or 70 when he passed away.
Thai Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., was a very poor man when he lived in Pennsylvania, the records plainly show; for he owned no land at a time when hind there was selling Cot only ten pounds per 100 acres; or at the rate of aboul fifty cents per acre, and he owned hnt little personal property, his Fayette county personal tax assessment not exceeding in any one year one hundred dollars. A farmer who could not own any land at fifty cents an acre and who was taxed for so little personal property, was poor indeed, according to these times. It musl he reineinhered, however, that in those <lays money was exceedingly scarce. From L. II. Everts & Company's "History of Fayette County/' 1882, I <|inite the following extract from a letter written from that county in 1 7S4 : "Money we have not nor any practicable way of getting it ; how taxes will lie collected, debts paid or U'rs discharged, I do not know."
MICHAEL FENTON.
From the Fayette county records we find there was also a Michael Fenton, whose name regularly appears on the tax rolls along with Jeremiah, Sr., and Samuel. Mr. J. K. Fenton has stated to the writer that there was a Michael Fenton in the days of Jeremiah, Si-., and Samuel, of whom he had often heard the older Fentons speak. That the Michael Fenton whose name is on those tax records be-
FENTON FAMILY HISTORY 23
Longed to this family is certain, but whether he was a brother, sou or some other near kin of Jeremiah, Si-., can- not be told. I think he was a sou and of an age between Samuel and Jeremiah, Jr.
The story is handed down through Samuel Fenton ( 1809) that Michael Fenton when he was eighty years old plowed in one day live acres of corn, three times to the row.
M ichael's name disappears from the tax rolls at the same time as that of Samuel, brother of Jeremiah, Jr., and it is likely he either died, or went to Kentucky with Samuel in about 17(.t4. This Samuel Fenton named his first son Jeremiah, after his father; his second son John, perhaps after John Lawrence; and his third son Michael, likely after the aforesaid Michael Fenton, who was no doubt his brother. The nana1 Michael docs not appear in the names of any of the descendants of Jeremiah, Jr.
The names of Jeremiah, Sr., Samuel, Michael and Jere- miah, Jr., all are missing from the tax rolls of IT!)!!, and it was in this year that Jeremiah Fenton, Jr., and his family left Fayette county and removed to Mason county, Ken- tucky.
VISIT TO FAYETTE COUNTY.
The writer spent three very pleasant days in Fayette county in July, 1908. Leaving Pittsburg in the morning of July 4th on the Pennsylvania roilroad, he reached Browns- ville shortly after noon. The road runs along the pictur- esque Monongahela river all the way to Brownsville. Here he had pointed out to him the famous wharf where travel- ers from the east, ending their land journey, embarked on flat boats to continue their journey west by water, on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers. He was also shown here the old Methodist meeting house and graveyard, but found no Fenton monuments; and no Fentons in the church rec- ords which do not go back of about 1800. The town is peo- pled mainly by Hungarians, Slavs, Poles, Italians, Negroes and other such races. A century before not one of these dark-skinned races was seen on the streets of Brownsville, but plenty of English, Scotch, Irish and Germans were there.
24 FENTON FAMILY HISTOKY
rriicii from Brownsville the journey was continued to [Jniontown, county seat of Fayette county, where very careful persona] and expert search was made in the court house records for traces of early Fentons, with some meas- ure of success.
The writer attended church at the Methodist meeting house there and tried to picture the early Fentons attend- ing the very same church one hundred and twenty-five years previously. Unfortunately the early records of mem- bership in this church have not been kept, hence no trace of the Teutons could be had in the [Jniontown church records.
The writer tried to liml some liles of early newspapers, but none hack as far as lS(ll) could be found. Even if any had been found it is not likely that the names of any Fen- Ions would have appeared therein, as the newspapers in those days had almost no persona] items, t he columns of t lie papers being given up almost entirely to discussions of great public questions. [Jniontown is a very interesting place to visit.
From CJniontown the writer returned to Brownsville and drove out in a buggy to the land once occupied by the Fentons. It is very easy to locate.
Almost every farm from [Jniontown to Brownsville and on out to the Fenton land, has on it great coke ovens burning nighl and day, with the result that the air is filled with coal smoke and gases, and at night the sky is lurid with flame.
Notwithstanding this, the farms all seem to be occupied and the land tilled, and there are still to be found there maple sugar camps as in the olden times and the boys go coon hunting nights the same as their forefathers did.
The writer visited the Hopewell Methodist meeting house out iu the country about two miles from the Fenton land. It is one of the oldest churches in the county and there, no doubt, the early Fentons worshipped when they did not go to (Jniontown, twelve miles away. In the old grave- yard adjoining the meeting house are the graves of some of the Lawrences, among them Thornton Lawrence, son of
FEXTOX FAMILY HISTORY 25
William and Patience Lawrence. The original meeting house was a one and one-half story structure buill of logs and aboul 30x30. It has been removed and a new one erect- ed; hut the original logs can he seen near there. Very like- ly Jeremiah Fenton, Si-., and John Lawrence were buried in the graveyard there. Mos1 of the old stones are too dim to read. About two miles from the Hopewell M. K. Church and cemetery is located on land of the Homers the "West Bend" cemetery. It is a later one, and in it I found the graves of several of the Lawrences, including Patience, William and John Lawrence, sister and brothers of Rosan- nah Lawrence. The country from Brownsville to the Fenton land and on to [Jniontown is much like thai in Adams county, near Winchester, except that it is rougher and more hilly. There are some very line farms and well kept houses and barns in that part of the country. It musl have been a pleasant place to live in in the early days, espe- cially before the heavy timber was cut down.
FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, IN THE EARLY DAYS.
It mighl be well at this point to give a little space to the early history of Fayette county during the years the Lentous lived there, from 17*4 to 1709.
Uniontown, formerly Beesons' town, the county seat of Fayette county, was laid out in 177<i. The county was organized in 17S4, hut the first court was held in L783. The first meeting house was built in 1785, being a log house 35x70; the first postoffice was established in 17!)4.
METHODISTS IN FAYETTE COUNTY.
The Redstone Circuit was established by the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 17S4; it included all of Pennsylvania west of the Alleghany moun- tains. The first General Conference of this denomination was held at Uniontown and the First M. E. Church al Uniontown was the first .Methodist Church buill west of the Alleghany mountains. It was one of the five ureal cen-
26 FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
ters from which Methodism spread forth.. Francis Asbury was the Hist bishop of the .Methodist Episcopal Church in this country.
On July 7, list, this great man preached to seven hun- dred people nt Qniontown. This was a large assemblage, considering how few settlers were then in the county. In all probability Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., and all of his family were at this meeting, for they were fervent, devout Meth- odists and lived 1ml twelve mi les distant. Nothing bui ab- solute inability would have kept them away from hearing Asbury.
BISHOP ASBURY.
In the present Methodist Church at Uniontown there is a memorial window on which is inscribed as follows: "Rev. Francis Asbury, Pioneer Bishop of the M. E. ( 'hurch. Born in England 1745, Missionary to America, 1784. Died in Virginia, 1816. Traveled 270,000 miles. Preached LG,500 sermons, and ordained 4,000 ministers."
REDSTONE-BROWNSVILLE.
At Redstone was located, on an eminence, the old Indian fort, and at this point the government kept stationed two gunboats. The first home in Redstone was built in 1770, but there were a few settlers near there as early as 1768.
In 1785 Redstone Old Fort was platted into the town of Brownsville by Thomas Brown. Here were then located whisky distilleries. They are still there, busy making the well-known Monongahela Rye. In those days and for many years thereafter, it was thought the harvest could not be gathered without a jug of Monogahela ry<\ Nearly every- one drank a little. Very appropriately, one of the streets in Redstone was called Grog Lane, and one Whisky Path, it was here that the whisky insurrection was started against the government in 1701. It terminated in 1704.
When the Fentons settled there the whole of Fayette county was a dense, interminable and almost impenetrable
FENTON FAMILY HISTORY 27
natural forest. There were sugar camps galore and all kinds of the very finest hardwood timber. The land being so heavily timbered, formed a convenient retreat for rob- bers, and there were many robberies throughout the coun- try during those early days.
It was in this county during the French and Indian war that Washington won and lost his first battles.
During these early days slaves, from two to eighteen to the family, were owned by many of the families who could afford them; and manacled slaves were frequently taken through Brownsville, from Virginia, on the way to Ken- tucky or Tennessee. The law required to be published the names of those holding slaves. The writer has examined the lists and found no Fentons or Lawrences among slave owners.
In the days when the Fentons lived there many of the inhabitants were (dad in the skins of animals. In the "History of Fayette County" is the story of a boy who on the appearance of two travelers at the gate, the Rev. James Finlev and Philip Tanner, ran forth to his father and ex- claimed : "Pap! Pa])! There be two great men out there. I know it because they've got their boots on." This story illustrates pretty well how simply most of the people musi have been (dad during those times.
Great interest was taken in all religious meetings and the .Methodist Church seemed to have the lead over other denominations. Singing schools flourished all over the county.
Brownsville was one of the important points west of the Alleghanies. There travelers from the east, carrying their loads with pack horses, ended their hard journey over the mountains; and there they embarked on the Monongahela river for the West — Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Ten- nessee.
The National Pike from Washington to Columbus, Ohio, passes through Uniontown and on to Brownsville. Pari o!
28 FENTON FAMILY HISTORY
it was surveyed by George Washington and along this road for many years, and until even after railroads were built across the mountains, there was a constant stream <>f emi- grants from Virginia and other eastern stales, bound for the West.
CHAPTER TWO
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY.
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR. (1764-1841).— The writer has gone info detail to show the character of the times, the conditions and the environments in Fayette county under which Jeremiah Fenton, Jr., lived between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, fifteen very important rears in his life.
HIS OCCUPATION.
How he occupied his time we know very little. However, he wax likely busy enough chopping down the heavy timber and farming the small piece of land which he rented, no doubt from his brother Samuel or from John Lawrence, his father-in-law.
He was also, during this rime, an exhorter in the }Ieth- odist Episcopal Church, being inspired to this work in all human probability by the eloquent and fiery sermons of Bishop Asbury. While his opportunities for obtaining an education were meager, still, in order to be an exhorter. he must have been a fairly well educated man, with a good command of the English language, and a considerable knowledge of the Scriptures.
HIS MARRIAGE.
In about the year ITS!) he married Rosannah Lawrence, daughter of John and Catherine Lawrence. She was his first cousin, which is a fact regretfully recorded; and this means either that Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., married a sister of John Lawrence or that John Lawrence married a sister of Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., or that the wives of John Law- rence and Jeremiah Fenton. Sr., were sisters.
The writer's authority for stating that Jeremiah Fenton.
JEREMIAH I'KXTOX, JR., AND FAMILY
Jr., married his firsl cousin is James K. Fenton, a man of fine memory, thoroughly posted on early Fenton history. ! 1 1 say s :
"As genera] information I know they were first cousins; li,i\ ,• heard ii spoken of by i he older members of our family
and by ■ relatives, and I know it is true as much as I
Lii«>\\ anything thai I cannol swear to. Brother Sam was always angry aboul grandfather marrying his cousin."
Hereinafter is given a short sketch of Etosannah Law- pence and i he Lawrence family.
MOVES TO KENTUCKY IN 1799.
In the spring of L799 Jeremiah Fenton, Jr., gave up his residence in Fayette county; and placing himself and fam- ily, then composed of his wife and four small children, William, Elizabeth, Delilah and John, and his few be- longings upon a community flat boat, he embarked ai Brownsville, on the Monongahela river, upon his journey toward a new home in Kentucky, whither his brother Sam- uel had already preceded him.
Slowly and peacefully he floated down the Monongahela river through the presenl Pittsburg iron and coal district, now called "America's [ndustrial Empire," to Pittsburg, thence wesl and south down the Ohio river to Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky, where he and his family disem- barked. The route traversed along the Monongahela is
said 1 o 1 1.- •• w ii 1 1 exaggeration the mosl interesl ing valley
in the United States. On all sides the beautiful green hills, ever-changing as the boal winds around the bend. Words cannol describe the beautiful scenery." The pioneers com- ing down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers musl have pre- sented ;i grand sight.
1 1 w mi Li be interesting to know the thoughts in the mind of Jeremiah Fenton ;is lie proceeded on ins way. lie may have given more thought to the experiences of a pioneer awaiting him in his nrw Kentucky home than to the old home he was leaving, or to the scenery around him. Little did hi' think ;is lie journeyed on his way that beneath all the land around Brownsville were vast quantities of o-as
JEREMIAH FEXTOX, JR., AND FAMILY 3t
and oil, and nine and ten fool veins of The finest coking coal; or that within a century the coal rights alone would be sold for $2,000 an acre; or thai immense coking furnaces would l>t" burning night and day <>n nearly every farm with- in a radius of ten miles from Brownsville; or thai the citi- zens of Brownsville would use natural gas for lighl and fuel; or that practically every foot of ground of the fifty- seven miles from Brownsville to Pittsburg, along both banks of the river wTould be covered with steel mills ; or thai the county would be densely populated with ignorant Hun- garians, Slavs, Italians and other aliens. Nevertheless all of these things came to pass and exist there today. But even had he known of the rich minerals beneath thai land and of the wonderful future for thai comity he could nol have availed himself of their value at that early date.
The story is handed down that as his tlathoat was pro- ceeding down the Ohio river a rude, inquisitive guy stand- ing on tin hank of the river asked Jeremiah Fenton whence he came and whither he was hound. He answered, "Red- stone to Limestone.*' Thereupon this curious stranger called back: "Well, yon are a devil of a hard set." It is likely that he and his family, and goods, did nut presenl a very attractive appearance at this time.
Samuel Fenton, In-other of Jeremiah, was already in Kentucky, having settled there, in .Mason county, in aboul L790, and this is likely what induced .Jeremiah to leave bis Pennsylvania home and pioneer it in Kentucky.
Jeremiah, Jr., with his family disembarked at Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky, and settled in Mason county siboul two miles from Germantown and 12 miles from Maysville, and near his brother Samuel. Delilah fenton. daughter of Jeremiah, was heard to remark that the fan. ilv lived in Bracken county. This is likely a mistake. Bracken county was established in 1T'.»T and from then until tiie presenl time the records, which have been searched, do no1 show- the name of Jeremiah Fenton. <>n the contrary the records of Mason county show that lie received a (\n'i\ to so acres <»t' land from Lewis Craig ami wife, in L809, and that lie and his wife. "Rose" Fenton,
32
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY
deeded this Land to William Field, December 13, 1815. Anyone interested in seeing just where he lived in Mason county can gel a clue from the description of the land in this deed. Of course i1 is not certain he lived on that land, hut it is more than likely he did, because he was not well enough off to own more than this 80 acres, which he likely boughl on payments when he settled there.
The writer regrets he has been unable personally to visit Mason county, Kentucky, to learn something more of the
IVnloiis 1 here.
ON TO ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
At the time when the Fentons lived in Kentucky, slavery prevailed and on account of his distaste for slavery, and unwilling to raise his children in a slave state, Jeremiah Fenton, in about the year 1806, moved with his family across the Ohio river and settled in Adams county, Ohio, on a farm of about 200 acres, near Winchester, now known as the "Aunt Lilah Farm." His brother, Samuel, had preceded him also to Ohio and had already settled on Gift Ridge, near West Union, in Adams county.
CLEARING THE FOREST.
Practically every rod of the land on which he settled in Adams county was then covered with a dense growth of heavy limber. We of the present day can have little con- ception of the hardships and difficulties met and overcome by pioneers in a timbered county. Nothing could be raised to live on until the trees were cut down and the ground cleared. To cul down one tree would be a difficulty for some of the presenl day Fentons, bul to cul down hundreds of giant, hardwood trees would seem to us almost impos- sible. Jeremiah Fenton with the help of his boys, particu- larly his son John, chopped down many hundreds of im- mense oak, walnut, ash, beech, sugar maple, hickory, and other trees, and cleared perhaps L50 acres of land into a beautiful farm. The woods must have been ringing for \ i;i rs with i he sound of I he ax as acre after acre of ground
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY 33
was cleared for cultivation. After the trees were mi down there still remained the necessity of getting rid of the timber and brush to clear the ground. The neighbors were invited in and immense heaps of logs were rolled to- gether and burned. This was called a "log rolling." Log rollings were common in those days and there was plenty of fun along with The work.
Think of the sheet of Haines rising into the heaven- and die ruddy sky at night when those log heaps were burning brightly. Think of the immense, untold property loss when millions on millions of feet of the very finest hardwood timber were reduced to ashes. Benjamin Fenton, next to the youngest son of Jeremiah, stated before he died that the timber necessarily destroyed on his own farm might, even while he yet lived, have been sold for $25,000.
There is. in Adams county, plenty id' rich land, especially in tin- creek bottoms, but that on which our ancestor set- tled was rather poor land. His love of nature likely moved him to build his home in the heart of a mighty forest, ami in a hilly country; a country as beautiful to the eye. per- haps, as any on which the sun sheds his radiance. Here was at hand wild fruit and berries, and plenty of game for fond, the skins thereof for clothing, and wool for fuel. All that was lacking in order to live was bread and sail. The bread (corn or' wheat) could he taken out of the ground ; the salt was not so easy to get and cost eighl to ten cents a pound at the nearest place, which was the Scioto salt lick.
Farming at this time was quite different from today. Then there were no riding plows, self-binders, telephones, rural free deliveries of mail, pike roads or automobiles, li took patience and skill to manage the old-fashioned, nar- row plow, winding around the big stumps, running into snags and roots, up hill ami down liill ; and the work in har- vest time was hard indeed. We can picture k> ourselves this brave man. his sons dose behind, sweeping down the dewy fields with the old-fashioned scythe and cradle, in wade swaths, laying low t lie golden grain.
34 JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY
HIS NEW HOME A PREACHING PLACE.
Be built for himself a two-story house of hewn logs, ceiled within and weatherboarded without. It was quite a pretentious and comfortable building for the times. For years, as early as 1810, and earlier, his home was a regular Methodisl preaching place. Here all ministers of the gospel passing his way were kindly, lovingly and hospit- ably entertained, lodged and fed. The table was tilled with good things: wheat and corn bread, hominy, honey, maple syrup, Irish and sweet potatoes, squirrel, chicken, wild turkey, venison, bear meat and other wild game. This region in these early days abounded with game. In Evans and Stivers' History of Adams county is found this state- ment : "As late as 1820 bears, catamounts, wolves and wild cats were plentiful in this region."
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
While Ins occupation was that of farming Jeremiah Fen- ton found time for spiritual things. lie served as class leader; was a splendid singer of the old hymns and he con- tinued as an exhorter in the Methodist Church.
On summer days, many of the religious services must have been lield in the open air, and it surely was an inspira- tion, to hear that sturdy pioneer's musical voice echoing through the woods and over the liills on Sunday mornings, while exhorting or leading class meeting, as he expounded the Scriptures and lined out, and lead in singing, the good old hymns, h is said he knew bv heart, and could sinjj; well, even hymn in the Methoilisi hymnal. In 1830 he joined in as one of the organizers of the Winchester Meth- odisl Church, the In-st church in thai town. As an ex- horter he had the fiery zeal of the true preacher.
PERSONAL APPEARANCES— KEEPSAKES.
From the little we know of his personal appearance, he ninsi have made a commanding figure. He was tall, mus- cular, and spare in Mesh ami his head was so large he had to have his hats made to order. From Ids son-in-law, Joseph
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY 35
Eylar, it is handed down, that he looked like General Wil- liam Henry Harrison. He was strong and industrious and is said to have been the equal of any three men at chopping wood.
As far as known, the only keepsakes left by Jeremiah Fenton, and now in existence, arc his large fell hat, now in the possession of the writer, and his pack saddle, now in the custody of Henry X. Baker, at Winchester, Ohio. On this saddle it is said he carried salt over the mountains from Baltimore to Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
Contented with his lot and satisfied with his place of abode, he continued to occupy the identical farm on which he first settled, on moving to Ohio, until the time of his death on May 10, 1841. The world was better for his hav- ing lived in it and he surely exerted a strong influence for good in the community in which he resided. He was buried in the graveyard at Winchester, and a stone marks his grave. On the stone is inscribed: "Died .May 10, 1841, of the age of 77 years." From this we know he was born iu 1704.
ROSANNAH LAWRENCE (1768-1845), WIFE OF JERE- MIAH FENTON.
Concerning Rosannah Lawrence, his wife, little is known. At her death she left a paper, now yellow and faded, on which was written the following:
"Rosannah Laurence, the daughter of John Laurence and Catherine Laurence, his wife, was born October 3d in the year of our Lord 1768." This paper was very carefully kept by her son, George Fenton, then after his death by her daughter, Delilah, and after her death by her grand- daughter, Aunt Cal Baker, and is now in the custody of the hitter's surviving husband, Henry N. Baker.
The name is generally spelled Lawrence, but occasion- ally, both in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Laurence.
JOHN LAWRENCE, FATHER OF ROSANNAH.
Her father, John Lawrence, was a well to do man. He was a neighbor in Favette county to the Fentons and to
36 JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY
William Horner, whose descendants intermarried with both the Fentons and Lawrences. In the "History of Pay- ette County," page 638, it is stated: "In 1702, John Law- rence located land west of William Hammond." This docs not mean he first settled in Fayette county in 17!>2, for he was one of those who in 1784 petitioned for a public road, and the road, as laid out, passed his land. Furthermore he was taxed for 150 acres of land and for valuable persona] property in 1785. The records also show he received two land warrants from the State of Pennsylvania dated July 11, 1792, one I'm- 218-1 '2 acres and the other for I'll)' \ acres, the price of the land being 'Men pounds per 100 acres, pay- able in gold, silver, paper money of this state or certifi- cates." These land warrants of L792 are no doubt the foun- dation for the statement in said history that he located in 1 702.
John Lawrence made his will in L809, but it was not pro- bated until March 10, 1818. A copy of this will is set out on another page herein. It is likely that he died bite in 1817 or very early in 1818.
We learn from this will that he had four sons : William, bom October 23, 177.~>; .John, born August 8, 177X; George and Samuel, and three daughters: Rosannah, who was married to Jeremiah Fenton, Jr.; Catherine, who was mar- ried to Ephraim Horner, and Mary, who was married to Amos Frost. The records do not show the maiden names of the wives of the sons, but deeds of record do show their
-iv('" " es as follows: Wife of William, Patience; wife
of John, Elizabeth; wife of George, Sarah. Samuel Law- rence died, intestate, January 1, 1820, and there is no rec- ord of his having had a wife.
'I'he reader may wonder if .John Lawrence was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The writer believes that he was.
'Idie ceroids of nmt wnr show that John Lawrence was a sergeant in Captain Jack's Company, Eighth Battalion,
Cumberland ( '< ty, Pennsylvania, Militia, but the proof
is circumstantial that John Lawrence, soldier, is the same
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY 37
as John Lawrence, ancestor. Circumstances, however, strongly indicate this identity.
In the first place John Lawrence was related by mar- riage to Jeremiah Fenton, father of Jeremiah, Jr., and Samuel Fenton. We know that this Samuel Fenton was in the Revolutionary War and the records show that a Samuel Fenton was a soldier in the Cumberland County Militia.
Shortly after the (dose of the war, John Lawrence and Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., with his sons, Samuel and Jeremiah, Jr., settled in Luzerne township in Fayette county. Penn- sylvania. This was in about the year 17S4. In this same year Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., Samuel Fenton and John Law- rence signed a petition for a road and their names appear (dose together on said petition.
These Fentons and John Lawrence were (lose neighbors in Fayette comity at this time and their land joined. On the Fayette comity tax roll of ITS."), for which the assess- ment was made in 1TS4, taxes are assessed against John Lawrence on 150 acres of land and against Samuel Fenton on 200 acres of land. This may he land these men received for war service. Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., was too old for Revolutionary War service and did not own land at this time, or at all so far as is known.
The association of the names of' John Lawrence and Samuel Fenton in the Cumberland County Militia and the known relationship between John Lawrence and Sainuej Fenton in Fayette county and the other facts herein stated lead to the conclusion that John Lawrence, soldier, was in deed John Lawrence, ancestor. In this connection the fol- lowing statement from George Acklin, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, who is a student of such matters, is of interest:
"I have conferred with a number of descendants ol John Lawrence, and am satisfied that the Luzerne John Lawrence is the Cumberland County man. but am unable to get bold oi any documentary proofs."
John Lawrence must have been an ambitions, clever and respectable man. It is common tradition anion-- the Hom- ers, many of whom still live in that locality, that in order to have a good neighbor, he sent to Baltimore for his old
^S JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY
friend, William Horner, to move out to Fayette county and reside beside him. In new countries there are always many undesirable citizens, and it is greatly to the credit of .John Lawrence that he took such pains to insure good neighbors for himself, his wife and children to associate with. That he was one of Fayette county's most respected citizens is the tradition among the Homers even to the present day.
The records show that John Lawrence deeded pari of his land to William Horner, March 3, L798, and the "History of Fayette County" recites that "William Borner was an old settler on the river."
It is also known among the Borners that John Lawrence was a fine grower of fruit. He specialized in cherries and succeeded so well that one kind of cherry he raised was named the '-John Lawrence" cherry.
CATHERINE LAWRENCE, MOTHER OF ROSANNAH.
Rosannah Lawrence was horn in this country, hut her mother, Catherine, was horn in Germany, being of German descent. The story is told that when her mother set sail, peach trees were in hlooni, and on her arrival in this come try, so slow was the voyage, peaches were already grown and ripe. She took passage on a sailing vessel with live hundred on hoard. One-half of the passengers died on the way over and were buried at sea, and the vessel landed with only two hundred and fifty of her human freight.
< 'at herine Lawrence had hut little education, for the (\i^'i\ records show that she could not write her own name, and signed by mark. She died some time after the death of her husband, John Lawrence, and prior to 1822. In the letter of William Lawrence to Jeremiah Fenton, of January 4, L818, set <mi hereinafter, he says: "Our aged mother is poorly, she has a sirk spell every day or two." In a letter written October 30, 1822, he makes no mention of his mother. Me would have mentioned her name had she been still living.
H is not known when or where John Lawrence and his
JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY 39
wife, Catherine, were wed, nor is her maiden name known. It is supposed he also was of German descent, but there is no proof of this, except thai his name is sometimes spelled the German way, "Laurence."
It is from the will of John Lawrence we are aide to locate the land occupied by the Teutons. In his will he gives to his son William thai pari of his lands which said son then occupied which was called "Fenton's old place." This land was later deeded to the Homers, and their descendants are still in possession thereof. Anyone can easily drive to the very land. It is aboul eighl miles out from Brownsville.
Rosannah Lawrence was of medium heighl and very spare; and it is said her head was uncommonly small. This is interesting, taken in connection with the further fact thai her husband's head was uncommonly large. She was noted for her industry and for her thrift and (dose economy, which the times required. Her pioneer life in Pennsyl- vania, Kentucky, and Ohio, must have been one of constant toil ami hardship, for in addition to the labor of bearing and raising eleven children and the ordinary domestic duties pertaining to the work of a farmer's wife, it was nec- essary for her to spin and weave the woolen, linen and cotton (doth, to be made by her into wearing apparel, etc., for her family. Probably the only real outing she ever had was a horseback trip of herself and husband from Adams county, Ohio, to Layette county, Pennsylvania, where she went on a visit to her own folks. This was after her father died in 1818, or aboul twenty years after she had left the old home iii 17!t(.». Think of anyone making such a long horseback ride in these days of steam and electric cars, au- tomobiles and even air ships.
Although aide to speak it. she was seldom heard to con- verse in the German language. Her son, William, has handed down an anecdote on this. When he was a boy, he was once walking' along the highway with his mother and they met a German woman with whom she talked in Ger- man. This was the only time her son William heard her speak in that language. In her later years she was injured by a fall from a horse which she was riding behind her
40 JEREMIAH FENTON, JR., AND FAMILY
son Jerry and she remained a cripple in the hip joint the rest of her life.
She died on September 25, 1845, in her seventy-eighth year and lies buried at Winchester beside her husband.
ISSUE OF JEREMIAH FENTON AND ROSANNAH LAWRENCE.
1. William, born October IS, 1700; died January 21, IS TO.
2. Elizabeth, born 1702; died January 23, 1835.
3. Delilah, born July 22, 1701; (single) died March 13, 1SS3.
4. John, born July 17, 1796; died November 30, 1855.
5. Jesse, born October 0, 1700; died February 1, 1860.
0. Catherine, born December 11, 1801; died September 25, 1872.
7. Jeremiah, born 1803; died September 12, 1801.
s. Mary I Polly), born Novembers, 1801; died January 11, 1875.
0. George, born September 1, 1808; (single) died Feb- ruary 20, 1801.
10. Benjamin, born August 31, 1810; died August 13, IS 70.
11. Joseph, born 1815; (single) died April 9, 1810.
CHA PTER THRE E
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY.
WILLIAM FENTON (1790-1870) was the oldest of the
children of Jeremiah Fenton. He was horn in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, and was only nine years old when
his father moved to Mason county, Kentucky, and sixteen
years old when the settlement was made in Adams county,
Ohio. He married .Mary | Folly i Kendall October S, 1818,
carried all his belongings on a chair and settled on a farm
of 511/) acres adjoining the "Aunt Lilah" place, which he
got of his father March 2, 1819. When a small hoy he was
ruptured shouldering a sack of wheat. This incapacitated
him for wood chopping and heavy farm labor. Thus he had
spare time to read and reflect. He would read and study
the Bible several hours daily and having an exceptional
memory he became thoroughly versed in the Scriptures and
in general history. He knew the good book better than the
ministers there knew it and it was common for them to
say: "Well, Father Fenton, you are better posted in the
Bible than I am.' He told his son James, when the latter
was a boy, that one might recite any verse from the Bible
and he could tell in what chapter and book it could be
found. He knew most of the Methodist hymns by heart and
had a good voice for singing. He was a member of the .M.
E. Church for sixty years. His home was a regular stop
ping place for preachers. Here, preaching, class meeting
and prayer meeting were often held. He was uncommonly
kind and generous and never charged anyone, not even a
peddler, for meals or lodging. He was never heard to utter
a profane or unclean word and was strictly truthful. In a
mild way he rebuked those using profanity in his presence.
He was of a nervous temperament, quick to resent, bul slow
to give an insult. All his Ion-: lib' he studied and defended
the Christian religion.
42 WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
He enlisted for military service in the war of 1S12. He weni to Upper Sandusky and on reaching there, peace was declared. He served only twenty-six days, and for this received a land warrant. This he gave to his son Jerry for faithful service on the farm.
lie was six feet tall and erect. In his prime he weighed about ISO pounds, lie died January 21, 1870, and is buried in the Winchester cemetery. The fitting words: "1 know that my Redeemer liveth" are on his gravestone. One of the Fentons says of him: "His life was in keeping with his profession — entirely blameless."
Polly Kendall, his wife, was one of twenty-four children. She was horn in 1802. Her father's name was James Kendall, her mother's maiden name Knhama Moore. Polly Kendall had the pleasure of being married by her father, then a justice of the peace. She was only sixteen when she wed. She had a bright mind and was good looking. She was fair, and had long, heavy, slightly auburn hair. In addition to the work of raising and helping to provide for eleven children she was sent for from all over the neighbor- hood to attend confinement cases. Often no doctor was present and she had the entire responsibility. She never charged or was paid anything for this. She spun and wove Max and wool with her own hands, and made the (doth into sheets, towels, grain sacks, and table cloths. She made linsey dresses for the women and jeans clothing for the men. She (\yci\ the (doth beautiful shades. Of course she knit for the whole family. With the old-fashioned fireplace she did her cooking, and sin1 was a good cook. Through all Ikm- Ihisy toiling life she kept a sweet and lovable disposi- tion. She was a member of the .Methodist Church as were all her family. She died May 17, 1848, and is buried beside her In i si land.
It is interesting to note that while William Fenton had seven daughters and four sons, his father, Jeremiah, had seven sons and four daughters.
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 43
ISSUE OF WILLIAM FENTON AND MARY KENDALL,
HIS WIFE.
Samuel Lawrence, born July 30, 1819; died February
12, 1892.
Ruhama, born May 12, 1821; died February 25, 1848. Rose Ann, born June 13, 1823; died April 26, 1873. Elizabeth, born April 9, 1825. Mary (Polly) Ann, born March 28, 1827; died August
13, 1894.
1 )elilah, born May 3, 1829 ; died September 5, 1907. Caroline, born June 10, 1832; died February 7, 1907. Jeremiah, born April 26, 1835. Rachel, born December 26, 1836. James Kendall, born May 12, 1838. William Baker, bom October 18, 1843.
44
WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
SAMUEL LAWRENCE FENTON AND FAMILY.
SAMUEL LAWRENCE FENTON (1819-1892) was one of the best and highest types of the Fentons, mentally, morally, physically. His brother, James, says: "I believe he was the best man I ever knew; and lie was the most brilliant of the Fenton men I have known." Being, as he was, the oldest of the children of William and Polly Fen- ton. and his father none too strong, the heavy burden of the farm work, and the management of the farm and family,
SAMUEL LAWRENCE KENTON
fell on his broad shoulders. To the younger children lie was almost a father. Before his marriage he directed and carried on all the work on his father's farm. lie abhorred a lazy man and required all with him to work and keep busy. However, he never failed to take the lead and do, noi (inly his share, but more than his fair share, of the work. He was a man of intense grit and determination and was reputed one of the very best farmers in Brown county, Ohio. His horses, cattle, slice]) and hogs were al- ways fat and of the best. He was one of the most promi-
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 45
nent and' faithful members of the Mount olivet M. E. Church, near Winchester, and was a class leader and Sab- bath school superintendent. Prosperous himself, nothing pleased him more than to see his kin and friends prosper and maintain respectability.
December 4, 1850, he married, at the home of her parents, on Eagle Creek, Brown county, Ohio, Hose Anna McXown, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1816, a daughter of William and Margaret McXown. Her mother's maiden name was McNight. Her parents were Scotch-Irish. She was a sister of Samuel and Robert James McXown. The writer regrets he has not more space to tell of dear "Aunt Rosy." She was one of The sweetest and best of women. She was industrious and a very earn- est, sincere woman. Both she and Samuel L. Penton died and are buried at Winchester. "Aunt Rose*' died March 22, 1807.
ISSUE OF SAMUEL LAWRENCE FENTON AND ROSE
ANNA McNOWN, HIS WIFE.
George, born May 10, 1852; died December 5, 1852. Mary Ann, born December 13, 1853; died August 20, 1879.
Caroline, born July 25, 1855.
MARY AXX FENTON-KEYES (1853-1879) was mar- ried to Rev. Edgar Danforth Keyes, September 10, 1S77. He was born in New York City, April 11, lS4:i. lie gradu- ated from Irving Institute, Tarrytown, X. Y., and from Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, X. Y., in 1876, and at once entered the Cincinnati M. E. Conference and has continued in the Methodisl ministry since then, lie is a good preacher. Mary Ann Keyes was a beautiful woman. upright, honorable, industrious. sAveet-natured. It was sad she should be taken away when her only child was a babe in arms. She died at New Market, Ohio, bnl is buried in the Winchester cemetery.
4G WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF MARY ANN FENTON-KEYES AND HUS- BAND, REV. EDGAR DANFORTH KEYES.
Earl Fenton Keyes; horn September 30, 1878.
EARL FENTON KEYES married October l!.">, 1905, to Junetia Kirkpatrick, daughter of Robert Stewarl Kirk- patrick and Sarah Agnes Laird. Ear] Keyes is a success- ful business man, carrying on a furniture store and under- taking establishment at North Liberty, Ohio. Be married into one of Cherry Forks' best families.
ISSUE OF EARL FENTON KEYES AND JUNETIA KIRKPATRICK.
Robert Edgar Keyes; horn August 18, 1908.
CAROLINE FENTON-WILSON (1855) was married at the home of her parents, November 28, 1878, to Cornelius Stevenson Wilson, son of John Wil- liam Wilson and Harriet Stevenson, both of Scotch- Irish descent. Cornelius Wilson is a grower of line tobacco on the old farm once owned by his father-in-law on Eagle Creek, five miles from Winchester, Ohio. He is a genial, kind-hearted man. Callie Wilson is an industrious, ambitious, Lovable woman. Her health has not been good of late.
ISSUE OF CAROLINE FENTON-WILSON AND HUS- BAND, CORNELIUS STEVENSON WILSON.
Belle Fenton, horn December 4, 1880. Arthur Lawrence, horn November 28, 1882 (single). Rosa Lee, born October 15, 1885 (single). George Henry, born October 19, 1892 (single).
BELLE FENTON WILSON (1880) was wed to Benja- min Kennedy Kendall, Augusl :*>, 1904. He was horn Octo- ber 1 L 1X74, a son of -lames Kendall and .Mary Kennedy Kendall. He runs a harness store at Winchester.
WILLIAM FEXTOX FAMILY 47
ISSUE OF BELLE FENTON WILSON AND HUSBAND, BENJAMIN KENNEDY KENDALL.
George Wilson; born August 20, 1905. Mary ( 'arolyn ; born November 8, 11>0T.
ARTHUR LAWRENCE WILSON (1882) and ROSA LEE WILSON (1885) arc both school teachers and single. They arc clever and bright-minded and live with their parents near Winchester. Rosa Lee is a noted Eagle ("reek beauty, and an unspoiled, charming gir] as well.
4S
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
RUHAMA FENTON-HORNER AND FAMILY.
RUHAMA FENTON-HORNER (1821-1848) was a handsome woman with beautiful auburn hair, though deli- cate in body. She was naturally refined and of a lovable disposition. She was industrious beyond her strength. She was married to Bennett Horner January 1!), 1843. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 10, ISO", and died April 2, 1860. He was a son of Ephraim and Catherine Horner. Ruhama Fenton died when but 26 years old. On her death-bed she had her sister Rachel read to her from the llolv word.
ISSUE OF RUHAMA FENTON-HORNER AND HUS- BAND, BENNETT HORNER.
Harriett; born March 12, 1844.
Nelson; born October 8, 1846; died June 13, 1848.
HARRIETT HORNEB REES
HARRIETT HORNER-REES (1844) was married November 30, 1865, in Adams county, Ohio, to dames M.
,{l',,s< s I" Amos and Mary Rees. He was born October
7, 1837, died March 31, 1893. Harriet Rees lives at Win-
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 19
Chester, <)hi<>. He operated a flouring mill most of his ac- tive life. Harriett Rees is no1 only a lovely, Christian wom- an, but a very fine cook, also.
ISSUE OF HARRIETT HORNER-REES AND HUS- BAND, JAMES M. REES.
Truman.; horn June 2, 1870.
Luln Elizabeth ; born October 26, 1873.
Lida Rose; born July 24, 1877.
TRUMAN REES (1870) married -Mary A. Platter March i*:'.. 1891. She was born March 23, 1871, a daughter of Joseph and Ruth Platter.
ISSUE OF TRUMAN REES AND WIFE, MARY A.
PLATTER.
James Montgomery; horn June 13, 1893. Wenona Louis; horn January 22, 1000.
LULU ELIZABETH REES-McMILLAN (1873) mar- ried November 22, L894, to Reuben Arthur McMillan, a traveling salesman, who was horn at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 10, 1869. lie is a son of Edwin McMillan ami Rachel Elizabeth IVnnvw in, ami now lives at Little Rock. Arkan- sas.
ISSUE OF LULU ELIZABETH REES-McMILLAN AND REUBEN ARTHUR McMILLAN.
Reuben Rees; born January 13, 1896; died Nov. 8, L904. Edwin Merrill; born December 24, L898.
LTDA ROSE REES-SHORT ilSTTi married June 11. 100.~>. to Ernest Short, born November L2, L877, ;i son of Jacob and Elizabeth Short. Mr. Shorl has been a bank
clerk and now lives at Winchester, Ohio.
CO WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
ROSE ANN FENTON-HORNER AND FAMILY.
ROSE ANN FENTON-HORNER (1823-1873). The fol- lowing sketch of her life is furnished by James K. Fehton : "I never saw her equal for ambition and industry. She could do more and better work than any woman I ever saw, without exception. She was a Christian woman, a good mother, ami lived without a stain on her character." She was married to Bennett Horner, at her father's home, Oc- tober 4, 1849. She was such an excellent butter maker thai
ROSE ANN HORNEIi
the llillsboro hole! keeper, Sparks, drove to her home, a distance of twenty miles, to buy her butter. She died of blood poisoning in her hand, the result of cleaning and cut- i ing up a partridge.
ISSUE OF ROSE ANN FENTON HORNER AND HUS- BAND, BENNETT HORNER.
Joseph; born November 8, ixr><); died July 3, 1856. William ; born October 31, 1852.
WILLIAM FENTOX FAMILY 5J
Janies; born September 10, 1854; died July 31, 1896. John; born January 4, 1857. Catharine; born April 16, 1851).
WILLIAM HORNER (1852) married Jane Baker, daughter of George and Rachel Duffey Baker, December 12, 1906. She was born September 23, 1857. "Billie" Horner lives near Winchester, Ohio, on a farm. They have nad no issue. Mr. Horner lias all his life been industrious, of good reputation and highly respectable.
JAMES HORNER (1854) married March 15, 1883, to Flora May Kendall. She was bom August 10, 1861. "Jim- mie" Horner was a farmer and a genial, honest man. He was instantly killed in a runaway accident near Denton, Kansas, on Friday, July 31, 1896. Mrs. Flora Horner has remarried and is now Mis. Flora Porter and her address. Arnett, < )klahoma.
ISSUE OF JAMES HORNER AND WIFE, FLORA MAY
KENDALL.
Edith May; born February 2, 1884.
William Nelson ; born June 23, 1887.
Sarah Rose Ann; born March 12, 1890.
Ethel Bell ; born July 13, 1895; died January 30, 1897.
EDITH MAY HORNER-JOHXSTOX (1884) married Joseph L. Johnston, of Enid, Oklahoma, January 25, 1904.
ISSUE OF EDITH MAY HORNER AND HUSBAND, JO SEPH L. JOHNSTON.
Nelson Sidney; born April 23, 11)0."). Maxwell Lee; born August 2, 1907.
JOHN EORNER (1857) married at Atchison, Kansas, June 16, 1886, to Alice Meginity, who was horn March L5 1859, a daughter of William Bodister Meginity and SaraL Elaggard. John Horner has been a farmer and an upright
52 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
citizen all his life and now lives a( Ilavihmd, Kiowa county, Kansas.
ISSUE OF JOHN HORNER AND WIFE, ALICE ME-
GINITY.
Nellie ; born January S, 1888.
NELLIE HORNER-KENNER (1888) married Frank Kenner, November 21, L905, and by him has had one child : Nellie Irene Kenner, born November 21, 190G.
CATHARINE HORNER-McCLURE (1859) commonly called "Kittie," married Samuel Leslie MeClure, son of Samuel C. and Eliza MeClure, March 11, LS86. He was horn November IT, 1852, and died December 4, 1899. .Mrs. MeClure now lives at Winchester.
ISSUE OF CATHARINE HORNER-McCLURE AND HUSBAND, SAMUEL LESLIE McCLURE.
Jessie Lee; horn May 8, 1888. Heber Leslie; horn June 9, 1895.
WILLIAM FEXTON FAMILY
53
ELIZABETH FENTON-SKINNER AND FAMILY. ELIZABETH FENTON-SKINNER (1825) was twice married. First to William Kenned}7, who died not long aft- er their marriage and by whom she had no issue. I lor second husband was Alfred Richard Skinner, to whom she was wed September 15, 1859. He was horn in Virginia, September i.5, L815, and died August 4, 1878. Aunt "Betty," as she is familiarly called, is the oldest of the children of William Fenton now living. She has always been a woman of the strictest pidy and industry and has maintained through all
CAROLINE BAKETS AND ELIZABETH SKINKEE
the tips and downs of life a sweet, cheery and lovable dis- position. She lives at Seaman, Ohio, with her daughter, Sallie, and though now over 83, keeps herself actively em- ployed with her domestic duties.
ISSUE OF ELIZABETH FENTON-SKINNER AND HUS- BAND, ALFRED RICHARD SKINNER.
Margarite Rosannah ; born July 11, I860, (single) ; died March 2, L888.
Rachel -Fames; horn March 1, L863. Alfred Richard; bom Septembers, L866.
54 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
Anna Bell ; born July 11, 1868, (single); died Septenr ber 28, 1898.
RACHEL JAMES SKINNER-BRECKENRIDGE
(1863) was named after her aunt, Rachel Fenton-Brown and uncle, James Kendall Fenton. Slit1 has always been called "Sallie" and would not be known by "Rachel." She was married at Greenfield, Ohio, the then home of her mother, January 27, 1909, to Edgar Steward Breckenridge, a farmer, horn February 20, 1871, a son of William Porter and Eliza Anne Campbell-Breckenridge.
Prior to her marriage Mrs. '"Sallie" Breckenridge carried on a tine dressmaking business at Greenfield, Ohio, and her customers were among the best folk in town. She and her husband now live on a farm near Seaman, Ohio.
ALFRED RICHARD SKINNER (1866) married on September 10, 1886, to Frances AM Stivers, born June 28, 180(5, a daughter of Judge Barrier Stivers and Nellie Bor- den.
"Dick" Skinner, as lie is usually called, was just twenty when he married and undertook the support of a family, lie has been manager of the large oak lumber mills at Win- chester, Ohio, and it is such a position as docs not come to incompetents, lie has taken good care of his large family of children, all of whom have thus far been spared' to him.
ISSUE OF RICHARD ALFRED SKINNER AND WIFE, FRANCES ABI STIVERS.
Herman Henry; born May 21, 1S87. Barley Barrier; born dune 22, 1889. James Franklin; born Tune 30, 1891. Alpha Gladys;bom August 21, 1892. Jennie Lee; born April 30, 1898. Samuel King; born June 9, 1000. Anna Louise; born September 12, 1004.
WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
55
MARY ANN FENTON-McCOLGIN AND FAMILY.
MARY ANN FENTON-McCOLGIN (1827-1894) was married to James McColgin, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, Jan- uary 24, 1856. He was born July 4, 1829, at Ash Ridge, Brown County, Ohio, the son of William and Belle McCol- gin, who were both born in Virginia, but married in George- town, ( )hio.
Aunt "Polly" Ann McColgin joined the .Methodist
MARY ( I'OIJ.V) ANN M COLGIN
( 'liui-ch when bin i wont v years of age and remained ;i fail u- ful, consistent member during the remaining forty-seven years of her Life. She was ;i kind, patienl and devoted mother. She survived her husband and died on his farm in Nemaha count v. Kansas.
C6 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF MARY ANN FENTON-McCOLGIN AND HUS BAND, JAMES McCOLGIN.
Belle; born November 21, L858; died March 28, 1901.
Cornelius Calvin; born November 26, 1860.
Mary; born October 2, 1862; died September 9, 1863.
Harriett; born January 28, 1865.
William ; born December 26, 1867.
Samuel Fenton;born Dec. 15, 1869 ; died Oct. 31, 1897.
James Franklin ; born Augusl 30, 1875.
BELLE McCOLGIN (1858-1901) was a greal comforl and help to her mother and the res! of the family. After she became of age she taughl school for years. She did not marry, Inn remained single i<> her death. All of her friends praise her life in high terms.
CORNELIUS CALVIN McCOLGIN (1860) was mar- ried on September 9, 1887, to Lydia Clem a1 Independent • ■, Kansas. She was born March 20, 1870, a daughter of Aaron and Lydia (Mem. "Neal" and his family live ai S.. Joseph, Missouri. lie is in the insurance business.
ISSUE OF CORNELIUS CALVIN McCOLGIN AND WIFE, LYDIA CLEM.
Edward; born September 18, 1888. Calvin Clem ; born Dec 26, 1890; died Sept. 8, 1904. Samuel; Lorn July 2, 1892; died December 20, 1892. Charles; born April 27, 1007.
BARRIET McCOLGIN (1865) is a worthy daughter of her good mother. She teaches school at Whiting, Kansas, and thus far has insisted on remaining single. She is a sweet-tempered, ambitious juirl and lias done well. She has i raveled considerable.
WILLIAM McCOLGIN (1867) was married April 17, 1891, at St. Joseph, Missouri, to Maud Fletcher, who was born January iM>, 1865. They live at St. Joseph, Missouri.
WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY 57
They have had grief enough in the loss of six of their eighl children, all dying al quite a tender age. He is in the in- surance business.
ISSUE OF WILLIAM McCOLGIN AND WIFE, MAUD
FLETCHER.
Warren Fletcher; borD April 1. 1892; died Feb. 10, 1893.
Helen; born Sept. 9, 1894; died Sept. 3. 1895.
Edith; borD March 13, 1896.
Katherine; born Augusl 20, 1898; died May 10, 1901.
Margaret ; born Augusl 27, 1899.
Dorothy; born Augusl 27, 1899; died May 1. 1901.
.Mien ; born December 1. 190] ; died February 20, 1902.
Dudley; born Dec. 24, 1903; died on. 25, 1904.
SAMUEL FENTON McCOLGIN (1869-1897) was a young man full of promise. He did not marry and died in his twenty-eighth year. October 31, 181)7.
JAMES FKANKLIN McCOLGIN (1875) was married December 25, 1896, at Bolton, Kansas, tit Emma Bryant,
who is related to the poet, William Cullen Bryant. She is a daughter of Peter Bryant, born in Illinois, and Henrietta Bryant, horn at Boston, Massachusetts. "Jimmie'' travels as a represent at ive of a correspondence school and has done well, ile lives at Ilolton, Kansas.
ISSUE OF JAMES FRANKLIN McCOLGIN AND WIFE, EMMA BRYANT.
Josephine; horn September »i. 1897. Mary; born .May :'>. IS!)!). Cullen Bryant; born June is, 1901. Cyrus Peter; born -Inly ('», 1905.
RF, WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
DELILAH FENTON AND FAMILY.
DELILAH FENTON (1820-1907) was married Feb- ruary 24, 1860, in Brown county, Ohio, to Samuel Fenton, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, near West Union,
DELTIiA.II KENTON
June 28, 1809, the son of John Fenton and Sarah Field, lie was a bright, well-educated man. lie settled near Atchi- son, Kansas, before the Civil War and became a very rich farmer. Aunt "Lila" joined the Methodist Church at Win-
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
59
chcster, Ohio, when she was but seventeen years old and remained a loyal, faithful member for sixty-one years un- til her death. She was naturally thrifty and a splendid manager. She was very devoted to her family and made ii
ALFRED 1.. FENTON
the rule of her life never to say ill, or allow others in her presence to say aught but good, of her kin and friends. She died at the ripe age of seventy-eight, ;it the borne of her daughter, Elizabeth Delaney, Leona, Kansas, and is buried
by the side of her husband at Denton, Kansas.
60 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF DELILAH FENTON AND HUSBAND, SAM- UEL FENTON.
Alfred L.; born February 23, 1862.
Mary Ellen; born September 5, 1863.
John Madison; horn Tunc !». 1865; died April 3, 1867.
George; born September 1. 1868; died February 21, 1M'>:).
Elizabeth Caroline; born February 14, 1870.
ALFRED L. FENTON (1862) lias been a farmer mosl of his life. He is now retired and lives ai Atchison, Kan- sas. He married June 25, 1889, Anna M. Shulsky, who was born September 24, 1867, a daughter of Robert P. Shulsky and Mary E. Lawhon, who were wed at Colum- bia, Tennessee, February 21, 1860. He (Koberl P. Shulsky) was born in Wurtemburg, Prussia; she. at Columbia, Ten- nessee. Alfred L. Fenton, commonly called "Dick" Fen- ton, is noted as a first-class farmer and a raiser of line stork, and a successful man. lie has had no issue.
MARY ELLEN FENTON-STEELE (1863-1905) was married November 13, 1889, To Oliver Cromwell Steel*, of Dekalb, .Missouri, who was born October 21, 1862, a son of William Thomas Steele and Elizabeth Dooley. Mary E. Fenton-Steele died October 28, 1905. He is a well-to-do farmer.
ISSUE OF MARY ELLEN FENTON-STEELE AND HUS- BAND, OLIVER CROMWELL STEELE.
Samuel Fenton; horn August 7, 1890. Thomas Christopher; horn April 29, 1899. Alfred Charles; horn January !), 1902.
ELIZABETH CAROLINE FENTON-DELANEY | 1870) was married at St. Joseph, .Missouri, to Andrew (). Delaney, November 19, 1891. lie is a sun of John ami Catherine
Delaney. "Andy" Delaney organized and has successfully managed the Farmers' Lank at Leona, Kansas. It is a prosperous institution and has the full confidence of the
WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
61
community. Elizabeth Delaney is a fine musician and a devoted mother. Her husband is the most influential man in Leona and deservedly so.
ELIZABE1 II KKNliiN HKI.AM.Y
ISSUE OF ELIZABETH CAROLINE FENTON-DE- LANEY AND HUSBAND, ANDREW O. DELANEY.
Elizabeth; born September L9, L896. Andrew; born January 4. L899. Bernice : bom I December 8, 1 901 . Richard : born March L0, L905.
G2 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
CAROLINE FENTON-BAKER AND FAMILY.
CAROLINE FENTON-BAKER (1832-1907) was twice married. First to Matthew Carpenter Marshall, a farmer, February 1(1, L857. Jle was horn December 4, 1829, a son of John Marshall and Mary Campbell, who were born in Pennsylvania. Matthew C. Marshall was a sincere. Chris- tian man who loved to attend the Methodist Church, of which he was a member. Aunt "Cal" bore him one child before his death in August, 1861. After remaining a widow for nearly five years she again married on Inly 111, 1866, at the home of her sister, Rose Ann Horner, Henry Nelson Raker, a farmer, who was horn at West Union, Ohio, Feb- ruary 15, 1838, a son of George Raker and Mary Re Croix. They are of English descent, although horn in Maryland.
Aunt "Cal," like all of her sisters, was of gentle nature and sweet disposition. When quite young she was kicked in the forehead by a stable horse. Her capable mother, wit h no doctor to help, sewed np the gash with silk thread ; it was a cut of several inches, hnt after a time it healed nicely and left hnt a slight scar, not enough to mar her beauty of face. Aunt Cal was an uncommonly tine garden- er. She and Uncle Henry bougb.1 out the heirs and then lived on the old homestead of her father, William Fenton. She was a devoted mother and a faithful member of the Methodist Church. She died and is buried at Winchester, Ohio. Her husband still lives on the old Wm. Fenton home place.
ISSUE OF CAROLINE FENTON-MARSHALL AND HUSBAND, MATTHEW C. MARSHALL.
Mary Ann ; horn December 25, 1859.
MARY ANN MARSHALL-HORNER ( 1859 ), commonly called "Coosa" Marshall, was married September 29, 1880- to William Rewis Horner, who was born March 14, 1S52, a son of Ephraim and Drnsilla Horner, who were horn in Pennsylvania. "Coosa" Horner and her husband and fam- ily live at Dayton, Ohio.
WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
63
ISSUE OF MARY ANN MARSHALL-HORNER AND HUSBAND, WILLIAM LEWIS HORNER.
Campbell .Marshall ; born Oct. 2, 1881 ; died May 27, 1882. Arthur Corboy; born April 25, 1883. Espa Caroline; horn February 28, 1885. Edith Tillie; horn Juno 10, 1889. Georgia Hazel; horn April 17, 1892.
ISSUE OF CAROLINE FENTON BAKER AND HUS- BAND, FIENRY NELSON BAKER.
George Washington; born December 2, 18(57. .Martha (Mattie) Jeremiah ; born July 19, 1869. James William; born March 13, 1871. Lucy Jane; horn Sept. 1(1, 1873; died June 18, 1902. Sarah Jane; born April 10, 1875; died July 30, 1875.
GEORGE WASHINGTON BAKER (1867) lives with his father on the old home place of William Fenton near Winchester. His friends would not know him by the name of George Washington, as he has always gone by the name of "Dick." He is unmarried, and is quite a traveler.
.MATTIE JEREMIAH BAKER-ENNIS (1869) mar- ried on December 12, 1S!)7, to Willis Edgar Ennis, horn November 27, 1871, a son of Henry and Mary Jane Ennis. His mother's maiden name was Fenton. II is father was born near Sugar Tree Ridge, Highland county, Ohio, and his mother near Winchester, Mattie J. Ennis and husband have had no issue. They now live ai Bellevue, Kentucky.
JAMES WILLIAM BAKER, (1871) is married to Lsa Augusta Baker. She was born March 4, 1870, a daughter of Daniel Wesley and .Martha Ellen Sheperd. Wcr moth- er's maiden name was McCall. James William Baker, commonly called "Hype" Baker, is a first-class farmer and stock raiser and lives on and farms the identical land near Winchester on which his great-grandfather, Jeremiah Fen- ton, settled in about 1806. Being of a happy disposition as
6 i WILLIAM PENTON FAMILY
a boy he was called "I [appy" and this the childreD contract- ed into "Hype." He is very industrious and provides well
for his family.
ISSUE OF JAMES WILLIAM BAKER AND WIFE, ISA AUGUSTA BAKER.
Mary Nellie; horn November 7. 1895. Lucy Gladys; born April 10, 1899. William McCall; born February IT. L9Q1. Ralph; born July 22, L903. Edith Alice; born July 30, L906.
LUCY JANE BAKER-KENDALL i L873-1902) married October 20, L895, to Benjamin Kennedy Kendall, son of
•lames and Mary Kennedy Kendall. He was horn near Winchester, October 1 1. 1874. He is a harness maker and runs a harness goods si ore al Winchester.
Lucy Jane Kendall was a sweet-tempered Christian wom- an and a good housekeeper ami homemaker and she made friends wherever she went. She died wilhonl issue June 18, 1902.
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
65
JEREMIAH FENTON.
JEREMIAH FENTON (1835) has been a hotel keeper at Locust Grove, Ohio, for many years. When he was a young man, on account of his bright mind, it was said of lii 111, thai wiih education he could have1 made a president of the United Slates. He was naturally witty and the fun- maker of i he family. He is a Civil War veteran, having en- listed in Company II, 70th Ohio, V. V. 1. This company was mustered into service at Camp Ripley, Ohio, December
JEREMIAH FENTON
28, 1861. He was honorably discharged with the rest of his company at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 14, 1865. His regiment was then ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and most of the return journey was made by boat. The steamer which carried the soldiers from Cairo, Illinois, was called the "Argosy." It encountered a severe storm at Cave-in- Rock, Indiana, about eighty miles from Louisville, Ken- tucky, which caused the mud drum of the boat to hurst and scald twentv-three of the soldiers, and some nine or ten
66 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
were drowned. Jeremiah Fenton was himself precipitated into the middle of the Ohio river, and although he was a good swimmer lie had extreme difficulty reaching shore be- cause of two or three <>f his comrades clinging l<> his feet. He finally managed to save himself and those holding on to him. One of those he saved was a German, who clutched Uncle Jerry's coat with a death grip, so that he could not he shaken loose. On reaching hind he said: "Mein (loll, thai was der firsl time I ever did swim." Uncle Jerry an- swered: "Von didn't swim any that time."
His brother, James, characterizes him thus: "lie is a friendly, social, honesi man; generous almost to a. fault; has many friends and, I think, no enemies." lie is a faith- ful member and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church. He married, July 4, 1867, Adeline Shepherd, who was horn at Old Fincastle, Ohio, September - — , 1838, a daughter of Roberl Shepherd and Debbie Darling- ton Shepherd. Uncle Jerry has had no issue. Aunt Addie died in 1909 and Uncle Jerry lives alone at Locust Grove.
WILLIAM FEXTOX FAMILY
67
RACHEL FENTON-BROWN AND FAMILY.
RACHEL FENTON-BROWN (1836) was the youngesl of the seven daughters of William Penton. She was named after ''Granny" Rachel Bailey, who assisted at her birth.
She is the writer's mother and it is largely to honor hei he has undertaken this work. Whatever measure of suc- cess lie lias had in tins world is due to her.
She is and always was of a cheerful nature, very indus Irious and full of fun. A wooden man would have to laugh
KACIIEI, KENTON BROW\N
MAJOK JAMES BROWN
ai her witty sayings. When a child she and her brother, James, were kept busy driving the squirrels out of the corn field and carrying water and lunches to the hands in the field. She used to enjoy the old-fashioned spelling bees and frequently spelled down the school.
She tilted herself to teach at Zenia Female Seminary and at the Lebanon Normal School, but instead of teaching she married Major James Brown, during the Civil War. on the 15th dav of February, L864. It was a brillianl wedding for
Go WILLIAM FLNTON FAMILY
the times, her father's house near Winchester being filler] with soldiers and officers who were among the guests al the wedding.
James Brown was born on a farm on Ash Ridge, near Carlisle, Brown county, Ohio, July 2, L835. Be was well educated for his times, having studied nol only in the coun- try schools, bu1 also at Zenia, Ohio, and al Lebanon, Ohio. Before the war broke out he taughl several terms of coun- try school iii Brown and Adams counties, Ohio, and al l'»ol- ivar, Missouri. On the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted iii a company organized by his brother, Col. Wil- liam It. Brown, who lost his life at the battle of Atlanta. The hardships of army life helped to break down the health of -lanies llrown. who was called many years before his time. In matters of religion, politics and on moral prin- ciples he w;is firm and conscientious for the righl as he saw the right, lie was thoughtful and a good provider for his family; he was a devoted husband and father and it was hard, indeed, for him to have to leave his little family to battle with the world. He was successful as a teacher, as a superintendent of schools, and as a lawyer, hut he took no greal interest in farming which he followed for a lew years.
In his historical record of the Brown family, Dr. Andrew L. Brown, of Eustis, Florida, gives the follow inn, sketch of James Brown :
"James Brown enlisted in Company A. 70th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. October to, [861, and was. October [8, iS'.i. appointed orderly sergeant, lie was commissioned sec- ond lieutenant, July 14, 1862; first lieutenant. February 7, 1863; captain, March 11. 1864; major, November 18, 1804, and was honorably discharged August 14, [865. He was wounded in the knee and had the end of his finder shot off at the battle m|" Shiloh, April 6, r8f)2; and he received a serious wound in the forearm at the battle of Peachtree Creek, enroute to At lanta, July 22, 1864. He then received a furlough, came home, and as soon as his wound would permit returned to the front and was with Sherman on his march from Atlanta to the sea. lie believed himself to have been the first man in fort at the storming of Fort McAllister near Savannah. He frequently received commendation for bravery.
In 1865 he removed to Ford County. Illinois, first to Piper City. then to Paxton, and while living in this County taught school, farmed, and was for two terms County Superintendent
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 69
of Public Instruction. Me was also elected a Justice of the Peace in 1867. He removed to Chicago in September, 1871, just two weeks before the great fire and in November, 1871, was admitted to the bar, and engaged in the practice of law at Chicago until the date of his death, May 13, 1876. At the time of his death he was a member of and an elder in the First United Presbyterian Church of Chicago."
He was a son of William Brown (1784-1852), born at Big Spring, Pennsylvania, and wife, Mary Fitzgerald, (1797-1873), and he was a grandson of William Brown (1757-1789), who was born in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, and who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The latter was killed by the Indians, as will appear from I he following account written by Dr. Andrew Brown:
"They (William Brown and Frances Lamond, his wife,) re- sided ten years in Cumberland County and removed then to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1789, where Mr. Brown purchased a tract of land and settled his family. In the fall of 1789, Mr. Brown, together with two companions, started to Cincinnati, ( )hio, to pay for some land bought at North Bend. They were waylaid by the Indians and while at supper were fired upon and two killed, one of whom was William Brown. This oc- curred at Eagle Hills, Scott County, Kentucky, November 29, 1789."
James Brown was a direct descendant, in the sixth gen- eration, of John Brown (1626-1685), of Priesthill, Aviv- shire, Scotland, known in Scottish history as the "Chris- tian ( 'airier."
John Brown was a Christian martyr and his cruel mur- der by Claverhouse is narrated in practically every history of Scotland. The following sketch of him was written bj 1 >r. Andrew Brown :
"John Brown was twice married ; by his first wife there was at feast one daughter, Janet, but the name of his wife, and whether or not there was further issue, will probably never be known. His second marriage occurred in April, 1682, to Isabel Wier (one author calls her Marion), a native of the neighbor- ing parish of Sorn. She was of a lively, cheerful disposition, and a woman of true piety. According to tradition the cere- mony was performed in a mountain glen by the Rev. Alc> Peden, a prominent actor in covenanting times, and who was renowned for his spiritual sagacity. It is said, that after the ceremony had been celebrated, he took the young wife aside and said" to her in solemn tones: 'You have got a good hus- band, value him highly; keep linen for a winding sheet beside
70 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
you; for a day when you least expect it, thy Master will lake him from thee. lie follows his Lord too fully to be passed over by those who drive the chariot of persecution so furiously over the length and breadth of poor, bleeding Scotland.'
"John Crown was a Presbyterian, and had subscribed to ilie Covenant, lie lived a pure and consistent life. Though he had taken no active part in the uprisings of the Covenanters, which occurred from time to time, he felt that he had a right to live in peace in his own home without sacrificing his prin ciples ; he therefore would not, and did not attend the Episco pal curate, a- the law at that time required all to do. I Ms name was placed on the list and given to the public authorities, for not attending public service.
"After the death of Charles the Second, and the accession of his brother, James the Second, to the throne, in February, [685, the fires of persecution burned with greater fierceness, and one of John Brown's religious character could no longer go abroad; and at times he was forced to seek refuge from the relentless foe in obscure places, where he felt the chill ot the winter's wind, as well as the blasts of persecution, IV- den's prophecy was soon to be fulfilled.
"Garrisons of soldiers were placed in the western comities, and one of these was established at Lesmahago, at which place John Graham, of Claverhouse, who had been appointed to command the troops of the district, arrived on the last nigh* in April. Early the next morning he started for Priesthill, where he arrived before six o'clock. John Brown had arisen early, and after engaging in religious worship with his family, went to the hill above his house to cut peat or turf for fuel. The morning was misty, and he was surrounded ami captured before he could make any effort to escape, and was brought down to his own door, llis little daughter, Janet, now about seven years old, who had been at the door, informed her moth- er, that her father and some soldiers were coming. The poor woman exclaimed. 'That which I have so long feared is come upon me, O give me grace for this hour." and hastily taking her boy in her arms, and Janet by the hand she went out to meet them. He was rapidly examined, having been asked why he did not attend the Curate, and if he would pray for the king, he replied that he only acknowledged Christ as the supreme head of the church, and could not attend the curates, because they were placed there contrary to His law. Claverhouse then told him to go to his prayers, as his last hour had come. Brown, inspired by the near prospect of eternity, knelt down and prayed loud and fervently, in words that appalled the sol- diers, but neither his fervent supplications, nor the tearful pleadings of his wife, touched the obdurate heart of Claver- house. Having prayed, with great composure he arose and bid farewell to his family, he turned towards Heaven, and implored 'all promised blessings to be multiplied on his wife and chil-
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 71
dren.' Claverhouse then ordered his men to fire, but they would not, and in a rage he drew his own pistol and shot him dead. Turning to the newly-made widow, he asked what she then thought of her husband. 'I ever thought meikle of him, hut never so meikle as 1 do this day,' was her brave reply. Twere but justice to lay thee beside him," said Claverhouse. 'If you were permitted, you would do so; but how will you answer to God for this morning's work?' she said. 'To man I can be answerable; as for your God, I'll take him in my own hands,' and the murderer rode off 'to seek others whom he might destroy.'
"Alone, remote from neighbors, in an unfrequented place, left to contemplate the horrid deed, the poor, stricken widow, placing her fatherless child on the ground, ties up her hus- band's head with her apron, tenderly composes his limbs, cov- ers his body with her plaid, clasping her children to her agon- ized breast, sits down and weeps long and bitterly."
Left a widow in 187(5 witli three small children, Rachel Brown quit Chicago and took her little flock to her old home town, Winchester, Ohio. There she remained until 1880, when, desirous of educating her children in city schools, she removed to lun* former home, Chicago. Tt took Yerj able management for her, entirely unaided by others, to make both ends meet in that big city; hut she succeeded in this and kept her children all together with her and got for them an education.
In 1884 she received from the government a small \ ten- sion with back pay. She determined at once to give up the strenuous city life and as soon as possible removed her fam- ily to the small town of Leona, Kansas, near where lived her brothers, James and William Baker, and her sisters, Delilah and Polly Ann. Here she secured a home of her own and resided until 1895, when she removed to Des Moines, where her son, the writer, had begun the practice of the law.
There never lived a kinder-hearted or more generous woman than Rachel Brown. It is impossible for her to cherish enmity against any human being. She is the soul of honor and the foe of shams, humbugs and deadbeats. She has been a sincere Christian all her days and daily reads and studies the Holy word. She was intensely am- bitious for her children to do well and succeed ami ;i1 greal
72
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
privation to herself helped them to a right star! in life. In qualities of energy, courage and determination she strongly resembles her brother, Samuel. She now takes life easier and lives in the companionship of her children and grand- children. She has many times expressed the wish that when she is called by her Master she may be laid away iu the old Winchester, Ohio, cemetery beside her parents and brotliei-s and sisters now there; and she has been promise:] that this wish shall be gratified.
KACIIEL FENTON BROWN
OHIO.
"The hills of Ohio! how proudly they rise, And seem in their granduer to blend with the skies; With fair azure outline and tall towering trees, Ohio, my country, I love thee for these.
"The streams of Ohio! how grandly they go, Or seem in their stillness but dreaming to flow; Like bright gliding sunbeams they march to the sea? Ohio, my country, I love thee for these.
WILLIAM FEXTON FAMILY ,.J
'The homes of Ohio! free-fortuned and fair. How many a heart's treasure, or sister's love there; Even more than thy mountains and streamlets they please; Ohio, my country, I love thee for these.
"'God shield thee, Ohio! dear land of my birth. And thy children who wander afar o'er the earth ; My country thou art where're my lot's cast; Take then to thy bosom my ashes at last."
— Selected from the United Presbyterian.
ISSUE OF RACHEL FENTON-BROWN AND HUS- BAND, JAMES BROWN.
Mary Fitzgerald; born Nov. 18, 1S(J4; died Dec. 27, 1804.
Albertine Fenton; born April 1, 1800.
William Bartholomew; born November 17. 1867.
Lucy Jane; horn November 26, 1870.
•James Kendall ; horn Feb. 2, 1872; died .March 3, 1872.
ALBERTINE FEXTON BROWN-SCHOCK (1866) graduated from the Marquette School, Chicago, and being highest in scholarship in her class, she was awarded the Foster Silver .Medal. She attended the West Chicago High School for two years. Then she taught school for one year at Leona, Kansas, where on November 22, 1887, at the home of her mother, she was married to Elmer Ellsworth Schock. He was born November 2. 1 s ( '» : 5 , near Flat Rock, Seneca county, Ohio, the son of Jacob Schock and Hester .Maria Cherry. Jacob Schock was horn January 12, 1837, ai Flat Rock, Ohio. Hester Maria Schock was horn near Wooster, Ohio, January 24, 1835. They married March 27, 1856.
Elmer E. Schock was engaged, after his marriage, in the lumber business at Horton, Kansas, and Parnell City, Mis- souri, and later pioneered it in the Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, where he engaged in the natural oil and real estate business. In 1907 he was elected the firsi county treasurer of Okmulgee county, being the only republican on the county ticket to he elected. Albertine Fenton Schock is his first deputy treasurer. She has been a faith- ful wife, a devoted mother and an earnest < 'hrist ian work* r
74 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF ALBERTINE FENTON BROWN-SCHOCK AND ELMER E. SCHOCK.
James Jacob; born May 9, 1889.
Grace Brown; born November 3, 1S90.
William Orran; born July 10, 1893.
David Elmer; born January S, 1899.
Rachel Albertine; born Feb. L2, 1904; died July 26, 1904.
('barles Fenton ; born August 7, 1905.
WILLIAM BARTHOLOMEW BROWN (1867) was ed- ucated in the Winchester, Ohio, and Chicago public schools; attended Washburn College, Topeka, Kansas, thrcy years, graduating from the preparatory department in L892 and taking part of the college course; studied law and was admitted to the bar at Topeka, Kansas, in 1894; atten 1- ed Yale Law School, New Haven, Connecticut, and grad- uated in 1895 in a class of 95 members with honors cum laudej lias practiced law successfully at Des Moines, Iowa, since 1895. lie is an elder and a trustee in the Westmin- ster Presbyterian Church at Des .Moines; he is a Blue- Lodge Mason and a Hereditary ( lompanion of the first class in the Loyal Legion by inheritance from a deceased officer, namely, bis father, Major James Brown, and is eligible to membership in the S. A. R. through three great grandfath- ers, Brown, Fitzgerald and John Lawrence. He is a home man and life's greatest pleasures for him come through the family circle. He married Susan Higgins Van Liew at Des Moines, Iowa, October 15, 1902. She was born at Three Bridges, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, February 14, IN"!', coming as a very precious valentine to her parents, John D. Van Liew and Elizabeth Bellis Kuhl. They were both born in New Jersey, of good Holland stock. At least two of Susan Van Liew Brown's great grandfathers were in the Revolutionary War. Prior to her marriage she was a capable law clerk for one of the large law firms of Des Moines, and she found it a pleasant experience to change from her active duties in an office to the duties of house- wife. She is a very devoted mother and lias had plenty to do attending to the wants of her young children.
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 75
ISSUE OF WILLIAM B. BROWN AND WIFE, SUSAN
HIGGINS V. L. BROWN.
Susan Van Liew; born July 5, 1903.
William Bartholomew; born August 15, 1904.
Elizabeth Kuhl ; born February 27, 1007.
Rachel Fenton; born November 11, 1009.
Son, (unnamed i; born Nov. LI, 1909; died Nov. 11, 1909.
LUCY JANE BROWN ( 1870 ), youngest child of Rachel Fenton Brown, is the devoted companion of her mother. She began teaching a country school near Leona, Kansas, when but sixteen years of age. Some of her male students in her first school were full grown men, none too studiously inclined; but somehow she managed to preserve good order and taugh! her full year. She then took charge for several years of the primary department of the Leona school and was a success as a teacher, and particularly so in kindergar- ten work. Her school entertainments and exercises were noted for their excellence and originality of program. It is no exaggeration to say, as the County Superintendent said, that she was the best primary teacher in Doniphan county, Kansas.
As a teacher she regularly attended the annual teacher's institutes at Troy, Kansas, and was prominently identified with the work done there; the County Superintendent fre- quently called upon her to read difficult selections before the assembled teachers and also to explain to the grammar teachers sentences of complex construction. On moving to Des Moines she gave up teaching to spend her entire time with her mother.
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
JAMES KENDALL FENTON.
JAMES KENDALL FENTON (1838) is one of "Nat- ( urc's noblemen," a man of warm impulses and not such a one as the Bible speaks of as "neither hot nor cold." The writer does not know of any finer specimen of manhood among the Fentons. lie spent his youth on his father's farm and shortly after the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted, July 4, 1861, in Company I, 39th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, lie saw plenty of fighting, having been in twelve big battles and many smaller engagements. His regiment marched and moved by rail or steamer 10,303 miles and lost
JAMES KENDALL FENTON
500 men, killed, wounded or sick. .Many a time he was com- pelled to clear off the snow to sleep on the ground. He waded rivers in winter and once went two months without change of clothes. He lived three days under a pine tree with but a shirt for a covering. Uncle Jim tells in an in- teresting way of some of his army experiences as follows:
"As a rule we had plenty to eat, such as it was, but some- times we were put on half or cpiarter rations and for many days at a time we would be hungry. I remember once we drew three days' rations and went after Forests' Rebel Cavalry and
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 77
we did not get another bite from the quartermaster for twelve days. To take the place of coffee I pulled up sassafras stubs and made tea of the roots, while one corn cake the size of the bottom of a pint tin cup, one-half an inch thick did us twenty- four hours. The burden of my thoughts was how to get enough to eat.
"I have seen nearly all of the Generals excepting those of the Army of the Potomac; I did not see one of them show any sign of cowardice in the presence of the enemy. In one battle our regiment had one hundred and twenty-six men killed and wounded in just a few minutes, and the man at my right el- bow was mortally wounded. I have seen awful carnage. Por a while our division commander was General Stanley, a brave man. He was always found where the battle raged the hot- test and he would say, 'Men, 1 don't want you to go where my hat won't go.' I served in General Grant's command for a while, but did not see him under fire. When he rode by us, I never heard him speak a word to anyone. He was as mum as an oyster. General Sherman was talkative and always had something cheery and saucy to say whenever he came about. General Thomas was another of the silent Generals. He had nothing to say when he came round. General McPherson, mounted on his fine black horse with his sword in hand was the finest looking General I ever saw and was a real inspira- tion to the troops wherever he went.
Just a day or two after I was wounded at the battle of At- lanta, July 22, 1864, the 70th Ohio regiment passed the hospital where the wounded lay, with your Uncle William B. Brown in command and that was the last time I saw him. poor fellow. He was killed at the battle of Atlanta. I served as a private, corporal and sergeant and I was never reprimanded while in the sen dee. I was honorably discharged July 9. 1865."
Uncle -Tim would make an artist's model for the fig- ure of a soldier. He was measured frequently by army of- ficers and pointed out as almost perfect in form and bail i for a soldier. Through all the temptations incident to army life he kepi himself (dean and unspotted; he did not play cards, gamble, drink, use tobacco or profanity. Ho lived in the army the decent life he had always lived at home. Uncle Tim has a vivid imagination and a tine How of lan- guage and is one of the best of story tellers known ; but tie is never heard to utter an unclean thought. Be has always been industrious and thrifty, yet generous to charity and a liberal giver to the Methodisl < 'hurch, of which he is a mem- ber, and the Lord lias prospered him. After the war was over and on November 1G, 1865, he married Sarah Serfinn
78 WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
Bayless at Winchester, Ohio, a daughter of James Osman Bayless ;m<l Julia Tolle. Her brother, Alonzo Bayless, was a very handsome man; he was a member of the liMs! ()hio Regiment ami was killed in the service at Benwood Station, Virginia. Her great-grandfather, ('apt. Leonard Bean, served seven years in the Revolutionary War and wason Washington's staff. He escorted General Lafayette from this country to France.
Soon after their marriage, Uncle Jim ami Aunt Sallie moved to northeastern Kansas ami settled on a farm near Leona. After several years of pioneer farming in Kansas lie sold his farm ami thereafter engaged in what, mighl be called the private banking business, at Lancaster and Ef- fingham, Kansas. Recently he returned to southern Ohio ami expects to spend his remaining days at Locust Grove near his brother, Jerry. The writer wishes he had space for Aunt Sally, a lovely, true woman. She has always helped Uncle dim to manage and save and been a real help- ineel to him. She has been a lifelong ami faithful member of the .Methodist Church.
If James K. Fenton could only have spent his four years of army life in college it seems certain, on account of his brillianl mind, he would have become a great leader of men. lie has the natural ability for a greal orator; and he knows a good poem when he sees it. He is especially fond of the poetry of Robert Burns ami can recite with effect many of his poems. lie has had no issue.
The writer asked .Mr. Fenton to write down his recollec- tions of the amusements and lighter occupations of the young folks and tin* older folks in the early days in Adams county, and he has furnished this interesting sketch :
"As a rule all had to work and toil hard to make a bare liv- ing". The term 'amusements' was not in general use, 'fun' was what they called it. Big families were the rule and they had frolics, singing schools and spelling matches. There were no baseball games, but what was similar or nearly the same was called 'Bullpen.' The young men were fond of displaying physical strength in wrestling and jumping. The young wom- en would have quilting parties and the old women would have wool pickings, and nearly every one of them would smoke a pipe. There were no matches in general use, nor stoves, and they would take their pipes to the fire place and light them with coals or hot embers. The young people began to have
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY 79
picnics about the time I was twenty years old, everybody walking- to them or riding horseback, and man}- times the yi tung man had his best girl on behind him. I don't think there was one buggy for every five hundred people. As a rule everybody went barefooted in summer time; could not afford shoes; just can't tell you how poor the people were. I think when I was ten years old, there was not a bridge over any stream in Ad- ams County. The public roads were simply, dreadfully bad. For some years there was but one wagon in the neighborhood, and that was Grandfather Fenton's."
SO WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
WILLIAM BAKER FENTON AND FAMILY.
WILLIAM BAKEB FENTON (1843) was the youngest of the children of William Fenton. He was too young to enter the army service in the Civil War, but found plenty to do around the farm in the absence of his brothers, James and Jerry. When he was a young boy he came near being- gored to death by a bull, but saved himself by crawling back of a fence post at the corner of the fence, when his brothers and sisters came to his rescue with pitchforks ami drove away (he infuriated beast. After the war was over he moved to Doniphan county, Kansas, where on March 1(1, 1876, he married Amanda Ann (Mem. She was born in Randolph county, Virginia, March 27, 1853. Her parents' names are Sarah and Aaron Clem and they were both horn and wed in Randolph county, Virginia.
"Baker" Fenton, as he is commonly called, has been a farmer all his life nut il recenl ly, when he left his tine farm, near Atchison, Kansas, in charge of his son, Arthur, and removed to Atchison, where he now lives. Uncle Baker has always been an honest, industrious, upright citizen ami a sincere. Christian man. lie is greatly beloved by his brothers and sisters and those who know him well.
ISSUE OF WILLIAM BAKER FENTON AND WIFE, AMANDA ANN CLEM.
William Arthur; born April 1.*"), 1879. James; born Feb. 1(1, 1SS4; died July 10, 1880. Caroline; horn October 7, 1887, (single).
WILLIAM ARTHUR FFXTON is a worthy son of his father. He married Edna Myrtle Wynkoop at the home of her parents near Atchison, Kansas, April 15, 1903. She was born January 24, 1880, a daughter of John Hoover Wynkoop and Nan Robertson Wynkoop. They have had no issue.
WILLIAM FENTON FAMILY
81
CHAPTER FOUR
ELIZABETH FENTON-EYLAR FAMILY.
ELIZABETH FENTON-EYLAK (1792-1835). Unfor- tunately, very little is known respecting Elizabeth Fenton, second born of Jeremiah Fenton and Rosannah Lawrence. Even the year of her birth is nut definitely known. How- ever, we do know she was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, between William, October 18, 1790, and Delilah. July 22, 1704, so the year of her birth is set down as 17J)2, which is doubtless correct. She is said to have been a very religious woman.
Mr. James K. Fenton is the only person who has been
aide to tell anything at all of her personality. He writes of
her as follows :
"She was dead before 1 was born, but from what I have heard I think she was just a plain, honest, hard working, good sort of woman. She was a splendid wife and helpmate to her husband; and the}- got rich for the times in which they lived. Two little negro boys came to her one day and the older told her that 'Jerry' wanted a piece of bread and butter, but that he didn't want any and so to rebuke him for lying she gave Jerry a piece and the older boy none."
When she was quite young, and likely just about twenty,
she was married in about the year 1814 to Judge Joseph
Eylar; and on account of the distinction and success won
by some of their descendants it seems fitting to devote some
little space to the Eylar family.
SKETCH OF JUDGE EYLAR'S FATHER.
In the Evans & Stivers "History of Adams County,
Ohio," ( 1900), is given the following interesting sketch of
Joseph Eylar, the father of Joseph Eylar, who married
Elizabeth Fenton :
"Joseph Eyler. the pioneer, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, September 22, 1759. He was a son
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 83
of George and Catherine Eyler, who lived and died in that country. In 1777 he ran away from home to escape service in the army, and after walking 800 miles to the coast, shipped for the United States, arriving at Baltimore in the autumn of that year. From that time until the period of his marriage little is known of him except that he was engaged as a wag- oner and accumulated enough to own a four-horse team and a "Cannestoga" of his own. In 1787 he married Mary Ann Rosemiller, a daughter of John George Rosemiller. living in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The Rosemillers were wealthy Tories, and objected to their daughter's marrying the un- known and poor wagoner; an elopement followed, and Mar}" Ann Rosemiller became Mary Ann Eyler.
"The breach in the domestic life of the Rosemillers made by the clandestine marriage of Mary Ann remained until her death. Her sisters had married well, and they never lost the opportunity to remind her of the fact, so that she and her hus- band shortly after the birth of their first child, the late Judge Joseph Evler, of Adams County, removed to Bedford, Pennsyl- vania, then a frontier town, from which goods were distrib- uted to the settlements in western Virginia and Kentucky. It was a point where the young wagoner found ready employ- ment.
In 1705. Joseph Eyler and his little family, in company with others, came down the Ohio river by keelboat and landed at the "Three Islands" where Nathaniel Massie had founded die town of Manchester. Eyler tended a patch of corn on the lower island that summer, and the following winter bnilt a cabin on a tract of three hundred acres purchased near Killins- town.
"He cleared away the forest and soon possessed one of the best farms in that portion of the country. He was industrious and economical and accumulated considerable wealth for those times. He was frequently called on to serve in local official positions such as 'lister' of property, being a man of good judg- ment and a great deal of common sense. From Killinstown he moved to a farm near Winchester, on what is now known as the "Massie Farm." He resided there a few years and then bought a farm near Berryville, in Highland County, where he conducted a distillery. He remained there until i8,u. when he disposed of his property and removed to Brown County, on a farm now owned by his grandson, Carey C. Eyler, north oi the village of Fincastle. Here he died July 29. [839, and was buried in the Wilson cemetery about one mile east of the vil- lage of Fincastle. His wife survived until March [3, [841.
"In personal appearance Joseph Eyler was strikingly pecu- liar. He was five feet, five inches in height and weighed over three hundred pounds. His complexion was very fair, hair dark, and eves steel blue. He spoke English tolerably we 1, but preferred to use his native language when possible to do
84 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
so. I lis household language, until his family was grown, was the German, and he always read and prayed in that tongue. J 1 was the rule in his Ik iusehi >ld t< i read a pi irl ii in i if * rod's 1 I < ily Word every evening, followed with a simple family worship in the way i if prayer.
"A strong trail of Joseph Eyler was his love of good horses, of which he always kept a number of the 'largest and fattest.' In pleasant weather he would turn them out to pasture, and as they galloped over the fields they fairly shook the earth. It was a common remark among his neighbors when it thun dered, that "Joe Eyler's horses were having a romp."
Attorney E. B. Stivers, who wrote the foregoing sketch of Joseph Eylar, has written to the writer thai the name should be spelled "Eyler" instead of "Eylar;" Imt those de- scendants who have corresponded with the writer having used Eylar, thai spelling is adopted in this record.
JOSEPH EYLAR II.
Concerning the son, Joseph Eylar, who married Eliza- beth Fenton, Mr. .lames \Y. Eylar, of Bendena, Kansas, has furnished a paper containing the following sketch :
"Joseph Eylar, eldest son oi the American head of Eylar family, was horn in Pennsylvania, lie resided at Winchester, Adams County, ( )hio, the principal part of his life and (]' vd and is buried there, lie carried on the tanning business at that point, in connection with farming, lie was a man oi promi nence in his community, acting as Associate Judge of Adams County from [835 to 1849. Under the system of two Associate Judges appointed by the Governor, he sat with a member oi the Supreme Court, on a bench afterward supplanted by the Court of Common Pleas. The Associate Judges were not nee essarily, or usually, attorneys. They were selected because of their recognized character for honesty, and disposition to deal justly in all controversies arising between man and man submitted to them for adjudication. Judge Joseph Eyler was a short, stoutly built man, of a swarthy complexion, very firm in his convictions, frank in his expressions, yet kind and char itable withal. He died of paralysis, after an illness of severai months. He was in Cincinnati when the first symptoms ap- peared. It was noticed by those with whom he transacted business that he was ill and he was urged to return home at once. This he did, and shortly after his arrival suffered his first stroke."
Elizabeth Fenton Eylar died January 23, 1835, and is
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 85
buried in the Winchester, Ohio, cemetery, where a stone marks her grave.
Thereafter Joseph Eylar married another Elizabeth Fen- I on. a daughter of "Kentucky John" Feuton, and second cousin of bis tirst wife.
The Eylar family Bible is in the possession of his son, James \Y., by bis second wife. He lives at Bendena, Kan- sas.
By bis first wife he bad ten and by bis second wife seven children.
ISSUE OF ELIZABETH FENTON-EYLAR (FIRST WIFE) AND JOSEPH EYLAR.
Rose Ann ; born .May 29, 1815; died June — , 1815. Mary Ann; born July 5, 1816; died April 29, 1891. Sarah Ann ; born March 20, ISIS; died May 29, 1877. Alfred Allen ; born Jan. 31, 1820; died Oct. 23, 1882. Ruth; born April 10, 1822; died August 6, 1878. Joseph Fenton; born April 27, 1824; died June 15, 1890 John; born July C». 1826; died September 7. 1866. Benjamin Franklin; born December 25, 1828; died 18 — . David Shafer; burn July L0, L831; died March 11, 1897. Oliver Hazard; born Augusl 23, 1834; died Nov. 4. 1893.
ROSE ANN EYLAE (1815-1815) was the tirsi born of Elizabeth Fenton-Eylar ; of her. nothing is known, except that she died young, and is buried at Winchester.
86 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
MARY ANN EYLAR-MOORE AND FAMILY.
MARY AXX EYLAR-MOORE (1816-1891) was of ro- bust appearance and fine bearing, and of ;i very genl le, lov- able disposition. She was well educated for her time, and was a greal reader, of an exceedingly industrious nature, she instilled habits of industry in her children. She was a lifelong member <>f the Methodisl Church. She was buried in the family cemetery near Russellville, Ohio. She was twice married. Firsl to James l\ Young and then to James B. Moore. By her firsl marriage she had the following issue: James Lucien Moore, a saddler of Pontiac, [llinois, and Joseph Elmore Young, a farmer of Stanley, Kansas, late deceased. This is the only information the writer after diligent efiforl has been aide to gel respecting the is- sue of t he lii-si marriage.
SECOND MARRIAGE OF MARY AXX EYLAR.
Mary Ann Eylar's second marriage was to James B. Moore, March 10. 1844. He was born and lived his entire life on a farm in Brown county, Ohio. 11k parentage was Scotch- Irish.
ISSUE OF MARY ANN EYLAR AND JAMES B. MOORE.
Matilda Elizabeth; born February 22, 1845.
John Randolph; born September 2, 1846.
Oscar Buchanan; horn Oct. 20, L848; died Tune 15, 1000.
William Carey; horn Aug. 11, 1850; died Dec. 0, 1853.
Aaron Eylar; born June 23, 1853, (single).
Emma Theodosia; horn December 7, L855, (single).
James Monroe; horn October 12, 1857.
MATILDA ELIZABETH MOORE-HAMILTON (1845) was married to James Hiner Hamilton, a farmer, on the 20th day of September, 1868. He was horn December 27, 1838; Ids occupation is farming. They live at Russelville, Ohio.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 87
ISSUE OF MATILDA ELIZABETH MOORE AND HUS- BAND, JAMES H. HAMILTON.
Florence; born July 13, 1869, (single). Mary Elizabeth; born September 5, 1872. Alexander; born August 23, 1876; died Feb. 11, 1877. James Lucien;born December 13, 1S77, (single). Eva; bom October 22, 1888; died August 17, 1889.
MARY ELIZABETH HAMILTON-BLAIR (1872) was married to Wilber R. Blair, a merchant, of Knoxville, Ten- nessee, June 1, 1903. He was born May 11, 1872.
ISSUE OF MARY ELIZABETH HAMILTON-BLAIR AND HUSBAND, WILBER R. BLAIR.
Mildred Elizabeth; born July 5, 1905. Wilber Hamilton; born November 21, 1908.
JOHN RANDOLPH MOORE (1816) was married on May 10, 1871, to Elizabeth McKibben, who was born Feb- ruary 27, 1848, and is a daughter of Ilervev McKibben and wife, Mary J. Young.
John R. Moore was born and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, near Russellville, Ohio. He is well edu- cated, having graduated from Miami University, of Oxford, Ohio, with the degree of A. B., in the class of 1869. After Leaving college he taught a private school and fitted boys for college, some of them entering Dartmouth College and Hamilton College. He then took up the study of law. spending part of his time in the law office of his uncle, Col. J. K. Cockerill, at West Union. He was admitted to the bar in 1871 at Columbus, Ohio, and has enjoyed a good practice for many years. He has held public office as fol- lows: Comity School Examiner and Prosecuting Attorney for Brown county for four years. He lives at Georgetown, Ohio.
8S ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
ISSUE OF JOHN RANDOLPH MOORE AND ELIZA- BETH McKIBBEN, HIS WIFE.
Mary Hervey; born .May 13, 1874.
Nellie Eylar; born July 29, L878; died October !», L890.
John Randolph, Jr.; born May 19, 1882.
MARY HERVEY MOORE-LYON (1874)'was married to J. I). Lyon, February 4, 1S!>7. They Live al Cincinnati, lie is a sou of Louis Lyon and Rachel A. J >augherty.
ISSUE OF MARY HERVEY MOORE-LYON AND J. D. LYON, HER HUSBAND.
Dorothy Moore; born December L6, 1 Sl>7.
JOHN RANDOLPH MOORE, JR., (1882) is married to Sarah Ellis, a daughter of Samuel Ellis and Georgia A. Drake, his wife. They live ;ii Georgetown, Ohio, and have had no children.
OSCAR BUCHANAN MOORE (1848-1909) was mar- ried to Zorelda Clifton in the hist of August, L874. She was horn in L842. They had no children. Mr. .Moore was a farmer all his life, near Russellville, Ohio, where lie died and is buried. His widow survives him and still lives at Russellville.
AARON EYLAR MOORE (1853) is unmarried and lives at Georgetown, Ohio. He is a lawyer, but is not now in the active practice. To him the writer is indebted for much genera] information respecting the Eylar family, and he regrets to have to record that Mr. Moore has not been permitted to enjoy the best of health for the last few years.
He was too modest to give, as requested, a sketch of him- self; hnt it is well-known that he is one of Brown county's most respectable cil izens and a wori hy member of t he Eylar family, who is proud of his ancestry, and one who takes pleasure in keeping up the family name.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
EMMA THEODOSIA MOORE (1855) lives at Glencoe,
Illinois. She is unmarried.
JAMES MONROE MOORE (1857) is a farmer and lives near Russellville, Ohio. He was married on Decem- ber 4, lS!)r>, to Mary Ann Taylor, daughter of Samuel R. and Martha A. B. Taylor, by the Rev. James II. Cooper, of
Red Oak, Ohio.
ISSUE OF JAMES MONROE MOORE AND MARY ANN TAYLOR, HIS WIFE.
Ruth; born October 30, 1896.
Ernes! Taylor; horn May 27, 1808.
Frank Eylar; born August 15, 1901.
Mary; born January 4, 11)04.
James Monroe; born September 10, 100(5.
Son not yet named ; born December 18, 1908.
91
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
SARAH ANN EYLAR-McNOWN AND FAMILY.
SARAH AXX KYLAK-.Mi NOW X (1818-1877) was married at Winchester, Ohio, on .March H>. 1844 to Sam- uel McNown, of Scotch-Irish descent, who was born .Ian- nary <>, 1810, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. lie was one of the besl farmers in Brown county, Ohio. In politics he was a prominenj Democrat, and was twice elect- ed a Commissioner for Brown county. lie was a man of his word, and his word was as good as his bond, lie lived
SAKAII ANN Ml' NOW N
on a lino farm on Eagle Creels near Winchester, on which he erected a beautiful home, and his was one of the best kept up places in Brown county. He died March 28, 1881.
SARAH AXX EYLAR-McNOWN was a woman of strong character, a model housewife and worthy helpmate to her husband; aud she educated her children into habits of industry, thrift and piety. She was nearly all her life a devoted member, and regular attendant, of the Methodist Church.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY yi
Both she and her husband are buried in the Winchester cemetery.
ISSUE OF SARAH ANN EYLAR-McNOWN AND HUS- BAND, SAMUEL McNOWN.
Margaret E. William Edgar Ruth A. ( Catherine Esther Belle
MARGARET E. McNOWN, RUTH McNOWN and ESTHER BELLE McNOWN have not married. After the death of their parents the girls continued to occupy the old home place together and since then have been in actual charge of farming it; and they have managed so well they have not only kept it up, but ac- tually improved the place, and added to their lands, since their parents' death. Their farm products are always of the best, and their fine blooded cattle as good as any in the county. "Mag" deserves much of the credit for their suc- cess, for she has steadily remained at home overseeing the work of the farm.
Belle, Ruth and Catherine fitted themselves for teachers, and all taught school quite successfully for some years.
The girls are all good business women and careful savers, and instead of having to borrow money of the bank, they loan their money to the bank, and are always well "pre- pared for the rainy day."
CATHERINE McNOWN-COPPEL (1900) was married on February 28, 1884, to John Donaldson Coppel, a farmer, near Ripley, Ohio. He was born at Manchester, Ohio, and was a graduate of Lebanon University. Mrs. Coppel was buried at Ripley, Ohio. The following sketch of Mrs. Coppel was written by a friend:
"Catherine McNown Coppel was a woman of more than ordinary ability. In early life she pursued a normal course oi study, after which she became one of the most popular and successful teachers of her native comity. She married hap-
92 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
pily, but was soon after left a widow. Her devotion Id the young took her again into the profession of teaching. Recog nizing her good influence over children, the authorities of Brown county asked her to become matron of the Children's Home at Georgetown. She accepted the position and was eminently successful in her work. From Georgetown she was called to a similar position in the great Odd Fellows' Home at Springfield, Ohio. Here the value of her services became widely known over the state. In the management of the affairs of her department she developed executive ability of a high order.
"In the midst of a most useful career death overtook her. She was a most lovable woman, optimistic, affable and kindly. She died, as she lived, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
ISSUE OF CATHERINE McNOWN AND JOHN DON ALDSON COPPEL, HER HUSBAND.
Samuel Carey; born Dee. 30, 1884; died April 8, 1886.
ELIZABETH EVLAR FAMILY 93
ALFRED ALLEN EYLAR AND FAMILY.
ALFRED ALLEN EYLAE (1820-1882) was married in 1843 or 1S44 to Rebecca Ann Cockerill, daughter of the fa- mous Gen. Daniel Cockerill and sister of the equally well- known Gen. Joseph Randolph Cockerill. Daniel Cockerill was horn in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 17(.>_. and moved Lo Adams county, Ohio, in L837. lie was a Lieutenanl from Virginia and a Major-Genera] of the Ohio Militia, lie was in the war of 1812 and was one of Adams county's most prominent and patriotic citizens.
On October 3, 1855, Mr. Eylar and his wife with another family by the name of Best started out on a journey by wagon to Pontine, Illinois, where they settled on a farm. The trip was slow, lasting for several weeks. Mr. Eylar was a worthy citizen. In religious matters he was known to he liberal. His wife, Rebecca Ann, was horn April s, 1822, and died February 24, L864. Both are buried at rou- tine, Illinois.
ISSUE OF ALFRED ALLEN EYLAR AND REBECCA ANN COCKERILL, HIS WIFE.
Townsend Randolph; horn May '.\, lS-t.~>; died June 23, 184o. Daniel Calhoun; horn September 26, 1S4<>. Alfred Randolph; born — , 1S41> ; died Augusl 7, L886. Esther Alverda ; horn < October 30, 1851.
DANIEL CALHOUN EYLAR I 1846 j has been a promi- nent citizen of Pontiac, Illinois, for many years. The fol- lowing sketch of him, written by a friend, is taken from the "History of Adams ( 'ounty, < )hio :"
"Mr. Eylar is a man of the strictest integrity, a warm and sympathetic friend, a good citizen, having decided political opinions, but seldom expressing them, and with no desire For office, a capital business man as attested by his long connec- tion with and now at the head of one of our strongesl financial institutions, the Livingstone County National Bank. l,(-'_ils highly respected by our people and loved by his intimate-.
He was married to Alice A. Bornberger, of Pontiac, li-
94 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
linois, on October 5, 1870. She was born February 22, 1850, and was a daughter of Stephen and Anna K. Horn- berger. She died of consumption on May 28, 1874. He has not re-married.
ISSUE OF DANIEL CALHOUN EYLAR AND ALICE A. HORNBERGER, HIS WIFE.
Mary; born February 25, 1872; died June 11, 1873.
ALFEED RANDOLPH EYLAK (1849-1886) remained single throughout his life. He was a resident of Las Vegas, New .Mexico, during the latter years of his life where lie was a ranchman and stock raiser. lie was buried by the side of his father and mother at Pontiac, Illinois.
ESTHER ALVE1M)A EYLAR-FILLMORE (1851) was married January 3, 1877, at Pontiac, Illinois, to Millard Fillmore, a son of Elijah Fillmore and Abigail Chase, his wife. He was born at Bennington, Vermont, January 31, 1849. He is a nephew and namesake of Millard Fillmore, once President of the United States. He was formerly in the dry goods business, but is now retired and lives at Los Angeles, California.
ISSUE OF ESTHER ALVERDA EYLAR-FILLMORE AND MILLARD FILLMORE, HER HUSBAND.
Alice May; born Dec. 15, 1877; died Feb. 15, 1880, at Chicago.
Millard Eylar; born Jan. 8, 1889, at Pomona, California.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 95
RUTH EYLAR-COCKERILL AND FAMILY.
RUTH EYLAR-COCKERILL (1822-1878) was married to Joseph Randolph Cockerill in the year 1840. Be was a
son of Gen. Daniel Cockerill and Esther ('raven, and be- came one of Adams county's distinguished citizens. From 1840 to 1846 he was a surveyor and teacher. Thereafter he was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas; and then was elected to the 50th General Assembly of Ohio. In 1856 he was sent to Congress from the 6th Ohio District. After he split teaching school lie practiced law and was one of the best lawyers at the West Union bar. He was a Democrat, but was also intensely patriotic When the < Mvil War broke
out he was commissioned by the Governor of Ohio t •-
ganize the Tilth Ohio infantry Regiment as its Colonel. General Sherman said of him at Shiloh that "he behaved with great gallantry and kept his men better together than any Colonel in my (hist division and was with me i him) from first till last."' He died August 23, 1875. Practically all of the foregoing facts respecting Mr. Cockerill have been taken from the Evans & Stivers "History of Adams County." wherein he is characterized as follows:
"He was a born soldier. As a courtier and diplomat he would have been successful. As a soldier, lawyer, statesman. citizen, he was successful and merited the approbation of his contemporaries and will merit that of posterity."
Ruth Eylar-Cockerill and husband are both buried ai
West Union, Ohio.
ISSUE OF RUTH EYLAR-COCKERILL AND HUS- BAND, JOSEPH RANDOLPH COCKERILL.
Armstead Thompson Mason; born 1841 ; died L870.
Esther Elizabeth; born 1843.
John Albert ; born December 4. 1845; died April L0, 1896.
Surah Mary; born 1S47; died 1871.
Oliver Oscar; born --; died, age 3 years.
ARMSTEAD THOMPSON MASON COCKERILL (1841-1870) entered the 24th Ohio Volunteer Enfantry,
% ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
Company "D," as a private, when twenty years of age; was promoted and finally mustered out June -4, 1864, as Col- onel of the regiment. After the war he lived at Hamilton, Ohio, and served as Assessor of Internal Revenue in the 6th Ohio District by appointment of President Johnson. Later he moved to West Union and. his health impaired l>y military service, he died at the early age of 28 years and is buried beside his father at West Union, Ohio, lie left a son named for himself, who is a machinist, and lives at Hamilton, Ohio.
ESTHER ELIZABETB COCKERILL-CAMPBELL,
better known as "Hattie" Campbell was married to I>r. .John Campbell, October 13, 1869. Dr. Campbell was born February 9, L828, graduated from Washington and Jeffer- son College with A. B. in 1 S 47 and later received from that college the degree of M. A. He then removed to Adams county, Ohio, and practiced medicine at Tranquility until the < 'ivil War began. I Ie became < aptaiu of < 'ompany "1" of the 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was discharged November 1, L864. After the war he practiced medicine at West Union and Delhi, Ohio, until 1885, when he was ap- pointed Medical Referee in the Pension Department at Washington. In 1889 he became Inspector for the Equit- able Life Insurance ('ompany of New York with headquar- ters at Philadelphia, which position he held until his death. Most of the foregoing facts were taken from Evans & Stiv- ers '"History of Adams County, Ohio." Dr. Campbell was a member of the Loyal Legion. He died at Philadelphia, February 4, 1909; but Mrs. Campbell is still living. She resides at Princeton, New Jersey, with her daughter, Helen.
ISSUE OF ESTHER ELIZABETH COCKERILL-CAMP- BELL AND HUSBAND, JOHN CAMPBELL.
Mabel; born 1870; died 1878.
Joseph Randolph; born March 12, 1872; died May 30, 1898.
Helen Moore; born 1878.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 97
JOSEPH RANDOLPH ( CAMPBELL ( 1872-1898) . The following sketch is taken from the Evans & Stivers "His- tory of Adams County."
JOSEPH RANDOLPH CAMPBELL.
"Joseph Randolph Campbell, son of Dr. John and Esther C. Campbell, was born in Delhi, Ohio, March 12, 1872. His edu- cation was commenced in the Home City and Delhi public schools and continued at Washington, D. C, until September 29, 1888, when he entered the U. S. Naval Academy at An- napolis, Md., as a naval cadet, under appointment by the Sec- retary of the Navy to fill a vacancy from Wyoming Territory. He graduated from the academy June, 1892, with first honors, and was assigned to the Newark, then about to sail for Euro- pean waters as the representative of the United States navy in the Spanish and Italian Columbian celebrations. About a year later he was transferred to the San Francisco, and was in the harbor of Rio Janeiro (hiring the exciting times of the Bra- zilian revolt of '93 and '94. In June, 1894, he returned to the naval academy for final examination, preceding his commis- sion as ensign. He came through this ordeal with distinction, standing at the head of the line division of his class, and was duly commissioned as an ensign to date from July 1, 1894. I le was assigned to duty on the New York, then the finest cruiser in the new navy ami about to sail as our nation's representa- tive in the grand marine pageant of the opening of the Kiel Canal. While at Kiel, he commanded the boat of the New- York which gained one of the races given by the German Em- peror's Yacht Club, and received as the prize two silver cups from Kaiser William. After serving on the New York the usual term, he was transferred to the Alliance, training ship for naval apprentices, for two cruises across the Atlantic and through the West Indies. Then followed duty at the War College and Torpedo Station at Newport, R. 1., until he was transferred to the Katahdin at the commencement of the re cent war with Spain. In April, 1898, while at Hampton Roads, he was attacked by a sickness which later developed into an exceedinglv severe typhoid fever. His reluctance to be oil his post under the war excitement, until absolutely prostrated, added greatly to the intensity of the disease, and possibly the overtaxation of his constitution by the efforts of continued duty, gave the disease its fatal direction. However, alter Ins impaired health had lasted nearly a month under greal -Irani. his ship having reached Boston, he was taken to the Naval Hospital on May 4, and died May 30, [898, al noon, while a company of marines were decorating the graves ol departed heroes in the cemetery in the hospital grounds adjacent.'
98 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
HELEN MOORE CAMPBELL-ADRIANCE (1878) was married at the home of her parents in Philadelphia on July 6, 1905, to Walter Maxwell Adriance. He was born April lM>, 1STS; was graduated from Vale University in 1900 ami is now teaching at Princeton, New Jersey, being a professor in Princeton University. They have had no issue.
JOHN ALBERT COCKERILL (1845-1896) was per- haps the most brilliant of the descendants of Jeremiah Fenton. lie was the only one to win no1 only national, 1ml world-wide fame. Jlis father told Hon. L. J. Fenton thai his son .John was a "real Fenton." The writer regrets his total lack of personal acquaintance with his history.
The following sketch is taken from said "History of Adams ( 'onnt v :"
"JOHN A. COCKERILL,
also known as Joseph Daniel Albert Cockerill, was born De- cember 4, [845, at Locust Grove, Ohio, and died April 10, [896, at Cain >, Egypt.
"I lis grandfather, Daniel Cockerill, was a lieutenant of ar- tillery in the War of 1812, and was engaged at Craney Island. His brother, Armstead Thompson Mason Cockerill. was First Lieutenant, Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel of the 24th O. A'. T. His uncle, Daniel T. Cockerill, was Captain of Battalion I\ First Ohio Light Artillery, and was promoted to Captain of Battalion D, March [6, 1864. He was mustered out March 16, 1864.
"His father, Joseph Randolph Cockerill. was Colonel, 70th O. V. I., October 2. 1861, and resigned April 23, 1864. lie was breveted Brigadier General for gallantry on the field.
"John received such education as the common schools af- forded, but his tastes ran to geography and history. He en- listed in the 24th O. A'. I. as a member of the band at the age of sixteen, on July 18, 1861, and was mustered out September 10, 1862, by order of the War Department, for discharge of Regimental Bands. He fought in the battle of Shiloh with a musket. He was Colonel on the Staff of Governor William Allen in 1872. He learned to set type in the office of the Scion, at West Union. He was Journal Clerk in the Legisla- ture from 1868 to 1871, and after that was an editor in Day- ton and Hamilton. He accepted a reportorial position under J. !'». McCullough on the Cincinnati Enquirer, and later be- came its managing editor. I [e was special correspondent from flic scenes of the RllSSO-Turkish War in 1877.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
"He was editor of the Washington Post, Baltimore Gazette, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Then he assumed the place of managing editor of the New York World and built that paper up. He next became editor of the New York Morning Adver tiser and the Commercial Advertiser, and afterwards accepted the position of special war correspondent for the Mew York Herald to report the Chinese-Japanese War in 1895, and was engaged in the service of the Herald at the time of his death. He was stricken with apoplexy April 10, 1896, a1 Sheperd's Hotel in Cairo. Egypt, and died in two hours, without regain ing consciousness. His body was brought home and buried in St. Louis, Missouri.
"He was a man of unusually kind disposition. No appeal by a friend was ever made to him in vain. His goodness of heart and generosity of nature are attested by innumerable acts of kindness, which keep him in loving remembrance by all who knew him in friendly intimacy,
"His sterling qualities as a man. as an editor, and as a friend secured his election as President of the Xew York Press Club four times successively.
"He was a writer of great force and vigor, keen, witty, and an adept in the use of argument or satire. Xo opening in the mail of an adversary escaped the polished shaft of his wit.
"His keen perception of character in others was so accurate that he was always sustained by an editorial staff of unusual ability.
"His letters from Japan are among the finest examples oi English composition. The character of the people, their civil- ization, the genius of their institutions and government, are so accurately set forth as to be almost a revelation to the people of the western world. While there he undertook a hazardous mission to Corea, on behalf of the Japanese government. 1 >n his return from which, in recognition of that service, and of the high esteem he had gained among that people, as a faith- ful historian and journalist, the Emperor conferred on him "The Order of the Sacred Treasure." Only two other men. other than Japanese noblemen, had ever received this mark oi distinction. The name of the first one is unknown to the writ er. Sir Edwin Arnold was second, and John A. Cockerill the third.
"He had been a Democrat until the administration of L dent Harrison, when he became a Republican and continued devoted to that party during his life."
SARAH MARY EYLAR-STEWART wis married to
Captain William P. Stewart, an officer in her father's regi- ment, and afterward an adjutant in one of ili<- regiments of Hancock's Veteran Corps. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stewarl
arc dead.
j«qe;21
100 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
ISSUE OF SARAH M. EYLAR-STEWART AND WIL- LIAM R. STEWART.
John A. ( \ Stewart, born .
JOHN A. C. STEWART went to New York City to study navigation. One night while his vessel was rounding Cape Horn he was swept overboard and lost forever.
The foregoing facts in relation to the family of Sarah M. Stewart are taken from a paper furnished by James \Y. Eylar, of Bendena, Kansas.
OLIVEE ( >SCAR EYLAR died at the age of three years, live months and six days and is buried at West Union.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY L01
JOSEPH FENTON EYLAR.
JOSEPH FENTON EYLAR (1824-1890) was married to Sallie Judith Edwards at Corsicana, Texas, October 14, 1874. She was burn at Elkton, Kentucky, August 24, 1846. He died and is buried at Corsicana, Texas. His widow sur- vives him and lives at Corsicana. They had no issue.
A friend gives the following sketch of him :
"Mr. Evlar came to Texas when he was a middle-aged man. He first settled in Dallas and was in the saddle and harness business there for several years. Selling out his business he came to Corsicana in 1872 and continued in the same business until a few years before his death. He was a member of no church, but was a kind-hearted man and had entirely too much confidence in everyone for his own good. He was rather small of stature with brown hair and grey eyes, lie was a democrat in politics."
102 KLIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
JOHN EYLAR AND FAMILY.
JOHN EYLAR (1826-1866), commonly called "Jack" Eylar, was married to Ami A. Wilkins at Winchester, ( )hi<>, March iNl, 1S4<;, where they lived until L848; then they live-' at Youngville until 1856; and in I860 removed to tlici. permanenl home at West Union. Mrs. Eylar was a daugh- ter of Daniel P. Wilkins and Susan B. Wood- Wilkins, both lawyers at the West Union bar. She descended from (len- eral Daniel Wilkins, of New England, from whom also descended General .!<>lin A. Dix, Win. Wilkins, United Slates Secretary of War under President Buchanan, and Eldridge Eastman, of the Atlanta Constitution. She died
December I'd, 1S!)7.
John Eylar served in the Union Army as wagon master in the War of the Rebellion. He was spare of build, had blue exes. Mack hair and a fair complexion. He was a harness maker by trade, and was a man of firm, honest, industrious habits. He connected himself with no church and his religion was charity and kindness to others. He did not believe in the army triumphant, but in the army militant. He died at West Union of Asiatic cholera, the dreaded scourge which had in previous years at West Union taken away so many lives.
ISSUE OF JOHN EYLAR AND ANN A. WILKINS, HIS
WIFE.
•Joseph Wilkins, born March 11, 1S4T; died August 28, 1906.
Oliver Alfred, born August 27, 1X4!); died September 5, 11)01.
Samuel Randolph, born July 9, 1852; died June 27, 1897.
John Alfred, born February 1(5, IS.").
Daniel Putnam Wilkins, born July 2, 1858.
Louella Barker, born February 2, 1861 (single).
Albert Sidney Johnson, born August -, 1866.
JOSEPH WILKINS EYLAE (1847-1906) was married in March, 1889, to Mary Ellen Oldson, daughter of James
11. Oldson, of West Union, Ohio.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 103
The following information respecting him is gathered from the History of Adams County, Ohio:
"In 1862 he went with his father in the army, acting as team- ster and forage master, lie was with Burnside's Army in east Tennessee in 1863. Me carried dispatches from General Burn- side and once narrowly escaped capture by the rebels, in 1865 he walked over Adams County. Ohio, canvassing lor sub- scribers and on the 19th day of January, 1866, he launched the People's Defender on the troubled sea of journalism. A- a newspaper it was a success from the start. In 1876 and in 1878 he was elected a representative from Adams County to the Ohio legislature. lie made a record as an efficient legis- lator. In 1890 after publishing the People's Defender for 24 years he sold it and moved to Georgetown, Ohio, where lie purchased an interest in the News-Democrat and continued to be its editor and publisher until he died. .Mr. Eylar was a democrat in the intensest sense of the word. lie was a good friend, a good neighbor, a bad enemy, and a good citizen. He believed in the broad religion of humanity and practiced it every day of his life."
One of his brothers has furnished the following sketch of him :
'"Joseph W. Eylar died at Georgetown, Ohio. When a boy of 18 years, he, together with four brothers, established at West Union, Ohio, a newspaper named by his mother, Ann A. Wilkins Eylar, the "People's Defender." After publishing the 'Defender' for 24 years, he removed to Georgetown and became editor of the 'XewsM)emocrat.' Joseph W. Eylar was a brilliant, virile and versatile writer. A contemporary paid, at his bier, the following tribute:
"'He wielded a facile pen and. in the days of his youth, a caustic pen; but always against the wrong and in advocacy of the right.' "
ISSUE OF JOSEPH WILKINS EYLAR AND MARY EL- LEN OLDSON-EYLAR, HIS WIFE.
Margaret Ann. William Allen. Jaines Norton. Lotta Sinclare.
OLIVER ALFRED EYLAK (1849-1901) served in the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion, with his father and brother Joseph. After the war was over he Learned I he
101 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
printer's trade and located at Dallas, Texas, where he en- gaged also in handling real estate, lie married Anna Kea. They had no issue. One of his brothers has very kindh furnished the following sketch of him.
"Oliver A. Eylar departed this life at Georgetown, Ohio, September 5, 1901. At the time of his death, he was a resi- dent of Dallas, Texas, where he had located many years prior, lie was at Xew Orleans at the time of the fight between the 'McEnery Legislature' and the 'Rump Legislature' and, also, the first 'Mardi Gras' pageant after the close of the 'Great Civil War.' lie contributed descriptions of both to the news- papers, lie established the first daily paper in Dallas and which is now known as the 'Dallas News." lie, also, estab- lished the daily and weekly 'Corsicana Courier,' Corsicana, Texas. From boyhood he was noted for his modesty and con- servatism, lie was a writer of great force and power ami brilliant descriptive qualities. A fellow printer paid the fol- lowing tribute to his name: 'lie was of a modest, retiring dis- position, jealous of his honor and striving to lead a life of purity, in every respect. His whole ambition was to help others.' "
SAMUEL RANDOLPH EYLAB (1852-1897) did not injury and left no family. One of his brothers has written of him the following:
"Samuel Randolph Eylar was given the Christian name of two of his uncles, namely, General Joseph Randolph Cockerill, of West Union, Ohio, and Samuel McNown, of Russellville. Ohio. He was of a buoyant and optimistic temperament and artistic in his tastes and became what is known to the craft as a 'job printer.' He departed this life at Brenham, Texas, on the 27th day of June, A. D., 1897, where he was buried. A contemporary speaking of him, after his death, wrote 'He was acknowledged by the craft to be the finest job printer the coun- try afforded." "
JOHN ALFRED EYLAE (1855) is a prominent mem- ber of the bar of Waverly, Ohio. He married Lucy A. Douglas, daughter of John Patterson Douglas, clerk of courts, and Adaline .McLaughlin Douglas, on February ll», 1887. She was born July 27, 1865, at California, Ohio, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. .Mr. Eylar is a Democrat. He served several years as prosecuting attorney of Pike coun- ty, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 anil has made a tine record as a trial lawyer. As prosecuting attor- ney only one of over four hundred indictments drawn by
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 105
hiin was held defective. Be is now in the general practice of law and is said to be in the front ranks of his profes- sion. In addition to the office of prosecuting attorney he has also hold the very honorable post of presidenl of the Waverly, Ohio, school board.
ISSUE OF JOHN A. EYLAR AND WIFE, LUCY A. DOUGLAS.
Kathleen, b. .
Melville Fuller, b. .
Alverda Louise, b. .
Helen Douglas, b. .
DANIEL PUTNAM WILKINS EYLAR (1858). The following sketch of him is copied from the History of Adams ( !ounty, being the only informal ion obtainable.
"He was educated in the West Union public schools and at the age of 17 became a teacher in the common schools, lie early learned the printer's art and after teaching for several years, he, with E. B. Stivers and W, F. Trotter, began the pub lication of the Index, afterwards the Democrat-Index, at West Union, in 1889. He became the editor and proprietor of the last named paper, in 1891, and continued its publication untii 1896, when it was disposed of to the publishers of the 'Defend- er.' In politics, Mr. Eylar is, as he puts it, 'Independently democratic without any aspirations for official preferment. He is an active worker in and one of the best informed mem bers of Crystal Lodge No. 114, K. of P., West Union."
This is all the information obtainable respecting Mr. Eylar. The writer received a letter from him from Clifton, Arizona, in March, 1909.
LOUELLA BARKER EYLAR < 1861 ) has chosen to re- main single and to teach the young idea how to shoot. Slie has been a successful instructor in first-class public schools for many successive years. She has v^'iy kindly furnished considerable information respecting the Eylar family. She lives at West Union, Ohio.
ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSON EYLAR (1866) is a lawyer by profession. He has held the office of assistanl
106 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
city solicitor of El Paso, Texas, and is now on the bench, being county judge of El Paso county, Texas.
In the recent historical meeting at El Paso, between the president of the United States, William 11. Tal't, and the president of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, Judge Eylar was a mem- ber of the executive committee in charge of the event. He was graduated at the Ohio State University.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 107
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN EYLAR AND FAMILY.
BENJAMIN FKANKLIN EYLAE (1828-18—) was married to Martha J. Elgin. He became insane from relig- ious excitement and died in an asylum while yet young. He is buried near Hillsboro, Adams, county, Ohio. All of this family is now dead and this is about all that can he learned at present concerning them.
ISSUE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN EYLAR AND MARTHA J. ELGIN, HIS WIFE.
Mary Fletcher, born - — ; died - — .
108 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
DAVID SHAFER EYLAR AND FAMILY.
DAVID SHAFER EYLAR (1831-1897) was married to Martini ( 5annon, daughter of Martha and Jerry Cannon, at the home of her parents, at Locust Grove, Ohio, May 30, 1858. She was horn ( >ctober 24, 1834.
DAVID SHAFER KYI. A If
Mr. Eylar was educated at Winchester, Ohio, and in 1856 was elected sheriff of Adams comity, Ohio, and held office for four years, two terms. He was Justice of the Peace <>f Franklin Township for twenty years and no de- cision by him as such officer w;is ever reversed by any
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 109
higher court. He was a man of varied Talents. He was a tanner by trade, and he also found time to carry <>n a hotel business at Locust Grove. He had no connection with any church, but held to the Christian faith. He was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge of Locust Grove, ( )hio, which was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Toledo, < >hi<>, < October 17, 1866. lie died and is buried at Locust Grove, Ohio. and is still survived by his widow, who is now very feeble, having some time ago fallen and broken her hip; and this injury makes her now almost helpless.
ISSUE OF DAVID SHAFER EYLAR AND MARTHA CANNON, HIS WIFE.
Jennie, horn Inly 28, 1859.
Oliver Rodney, horn May 8, L861.
Hettie, horn December 3, 1862; died June 2, L890.
Elizabeth, horn April 8, 1865.
Oscar Coleman, horn May 4, 1867.
Ella, horn January 13, 1870.
Ruth, born April 12, 1872.
Alverda, horn June 14, 1S74; died November L2, L878.
John Randolph, horn February 27, 1S7C>.
JENNIE EYLAR COPELAND (1859) was married al
Locust Grove, Ohio, November 16, 1876, to James ( !. Cope- land who was born January !), 1852, a son of < lhambers and Salome A. ( Jopeland.
James Copeland was a school teacher for many years, but at present is a stock dealer and farmer' at Locusl Grove, Ohio.
ISSUE OF JENNIE EYLAR-COPELAND AND JAMES C. COPELAND, HER HUSBAND.
Laura Blanche, born March 21, L878.
LAURA BLANCHE COPELAND-REARICK (1878) was married on August 4, 1900, at the hoi E her parents,
HO ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
Locusl Grove, Ohio, to Oriu .Moody Rearick. Be was born January 4, 1876, a son of Isaac L. and Margarel J. Beltz- Rearick.
Mr. Orin M. Moody, through his own efforts, acquired a good common school education and then taught school for live years. He then attended the Ada College of Law, of Ada, Ohio, covering three years' work in two years and he graduated first in his class. Se is now a successful practitioner at Eaton. Indiana.
ISSUE OF LAURA BLANCHE COPELAND-REARICK AND ORIN MOODY REARICK, HER HUSBAND.
Helen Virginia, horn January 8, 1 i M > 7 .
OLIVER RODNEY EYLAR (1861) was married to Lillie Belle Newland, of Peebles, Ohio, Augusl 26, L885. She was born September 24, 1862, a daughter of Isaac l\ and Lamira Newland. .Mr. Eylar gol his early education in the village school at Locust Grove. At nineteen he be- gan teaching school and continued in that occupation for sixteen successive years. lie then went to the Starling Medical College for four years and graduated as a physi- cian in April, 1900. He began the practice of medicine at Cynthiana, Ohio, and remained there nine years. lie is at present located and practicing medicine at Rainsboro, Ohio.
ISSUE OF OLIVER RODNEY EYLAR AND LILLIE BELLE NEWLAND, HIS WIFE.
Leo Beryl, born July 9, L886.
Ernest Coleman, horn September 22, 1891.
LEO BERYL EYLAR | 1886) was married to Margarel
May Cameron. She was horn July 29, 1885, a daughter of Joseph and Nellie Foulke Cameron.
Leo 1>. Eylar is well educated, having attended the Waverly high school, Wooster University and Ohio Univer- sity. He fitted himself to teach and is now superintendent of schools at Cynthiana, Ohio.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 111
ISSUE OF LEO BERYL EYLAR AND MARGARET MAY CAMERON, HIS WIFE.
Robert Ernest, born September I'l', 1906. Oliver Rodney, born March 28, 1908. John Cameron, born August 0, 1909.
HETTIE EYLAR-McCLURE (1862-1890) was married to Robert Denny McClure, at Locust Grove, Ohio. October 7, 1885. He was horn June 7, 1859, a son of Thomas Wil- son McClure and .Martha McCague, who arc both dead. R. D. McClure is a successful business man, being the vice- president and manager of the Welton Grocery Company, wholesale grocers at Washington C. II., Ohio. lie has re- married.
ISSUE OF HETTIE EYLAR-McCLURE AND ROBERT DENNY McCLURE, HER HUSBAND.
Margaret Lorena McClure, horn September 10, 1886.
MARGARET LORENA McCLURE i 1886) is a tine mu- sician, being an instructor in the Indianapolis Conserva- tory of Music. This is an important position for one so young. She is unmarried.
ELIZABETH EYLAR-ZILE (1865) was married to Jacob Randolph Zile, at Locust Grove, Ohio, April L5, L885. He was horn May 22, 1850, and is a son of Caroline and Louis Zile. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob R. Zile have Lived on a farm near Locust drove ever since their marriage.
ISSUE OF ELIZABETH EYLAR-ZILE AND JACOB RANDOLPH ZILE, HER HUSBAND.
Mary Kathleen, born October L5, L886. Evalena, born June 28, L888. Florence Lillian, born March 1. 1890. Verda Eylar, born July in. L901.
MARY KATHLEEN EYLAR-SHOEMAKER (1886)
112 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
was married 1<> Arva M. Shoemaker, son of George M. and Mary Newman-Shoemaker, December 20, 1905. He was born July 20, 1882, and is a farmer near Marshall, Ohio.
ISSUE OF MARY KATHLEEN EYLAR-SHOEMAKER AND HER HUSBAND, ARVA M. SHOEMAKER.
Alfred Lawrence, born .May 29, L907. Mary Blanche, born October 9, L908.
OSCAR COLEMAN EYLAE (1867) was married at Locust (J rove, Ohio, on March 21, L893, to Laura Dell Rearick, a daughter of Isaac L. and Margaret Rearick. Slie was born April 28, L868. Oscar Coleman Eylar farmed for six years and meeting with an accident had to go on crutches nearly four years. Thereafter he conducted a hotel and livery business at Sinking Springs, Ohio, for seven years; but he has recently sold out and is now living at Peebles, Ohio.
ISSUE OF OSCAR COLEMAN EYLAR AND LAURA
DELL REARICK, HIS WIFE.
.Mabel Rearick, born October 22, L894. Edward Glenn, born February 9, L896. Martha Margaret, bom October 23, lsi)7.
ELLA EYLAR (1870) ami RUTH EYLAR (1872) are both single. They live with and keep house for their moth- er at Locust drove, Ohio, and are both industrious girls of the highest standing in their community.
JOHN RANDOLPH EYLAR (1876) was married to Bertha Geddes, at Kansas City, .Missouri, June 21, 1907. She was born at Marietta, Ohio, April 23, 1885. He has been employed in the Eylar Bros, livery and undertaking business at Kansas City, .Missouri. His present street ad- dress there is 271b Wabash avenue.
ISSUE OF JOHN RANDOLPH EYLAR AND BERTHA GEDDES, HIS WIFE. Ralph Waldo, born July 21), L909.
ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY 113
OLIVER HAZARD EYLAR AND FAMILY.
OLIVER HAZARD EYLAR (1834-1893) was married November 24, 1857, at Winchester, Ohio, to Elma S. Bunn. She was horn June !), 1840, and died February 7. L888. Both she and her husband arc buried in the Elmwood cemetery, Kansas City, Missouri.
Oliver Hazard Eylar was a soldier in the Civil War, serv- ing both as private and officer. The following sketch of him is in part from a hook entitled "Ohio in the War," and in part from a sketch furnished by Samuel Dryden, one of his comrades :
"He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the jlh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, September 4, 1862, by the Governor of Ohio. Promoted to First Lieutenant June 3, 1863. Promoted to Captain October 12, 1864, and was assigned to and took command of Company 'I' and served with his company until our 'muster out,' July 4, 1865. I don't think it is out of place for me to say he was regarded by the entire regiment as one of the best company commanders we had.
"As to courage there was not an officer in the Regiment, Brigade, Division, or Corps, who would go further and no bet ter officer ever drew a saber or straddled a horse."
The 7th Ohio Cavalry took part in 32 engagements and Mr. Eylar was in most of them. During the siege id' At- lanta, lte served as commissary of his brigade. He had the honor to command the detachment that guarded Jeff Davis from Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia, and he had other posts of honor in that war.
ISSUE OF OLIVER HAZARD EYLAR AND ELMA S. BUNN, HIS WIFE.
William Edward, born December 1, 1858; died February 3, 1908.
Mary Belle, born Augusl 28, 1860; died August 14. L862.
Ruth Elma, born July 26, 1862.
Walter Bunn, born November 14, 1868.
Alverda, born March 20, 1872.
Sallie Ann, born January 11, 187<'>.
Oliver Hazard, born January 2, L879.
Lucy Mav, born July 16, 1882.
114 ELIZABETH EYLAR FAMILY
WALTEE BUNN EYLAR I L868) is the only one of the issue of Oliver Hazard Eylar to marry. The writer has been unable to get the details of his marriage or family except that lie has two children.
ISSUE OF WALTER BUNN EYLAR.
Samuel Leon, born August 2, 1897.
.John Oliver, horn July LMI, L904.
Respecting the sons and daughters of Oliver Hazard
Eylar, Miss Ruth Lima Eylar has furnished the following:
"Win. E. Eylar and Oliver II. Eylar were the firm, 'Eylar Brothers,' undertakers and liverymen. Since the death of Win. E. Eylar, it has continued under that name; Waller B. Eylar managing the livery business. Sallie A. is associated with her Brother Oliver II. in the undertaking. Ruth E. Eylar is as sistant principal of the Kensington School. Alverda is head of the primary department of the Ashland School."
Ruth, Walter, Alverda, Sallie Ann, Oliver and Lucy all
live at Kansas City, Missouri. Their street address is
2523 Park avenue, except Walter's, which is Sixty -tirst
street and Wahlron avenue.
CHAPTER FIVE
DELILAH FENTON.
DELILAH FENTON (1794-1883) was bora in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was only twelve years old when tier father settled in Adams comity. Ohio. She did no1 wed, having been unfortunate in her Love affair. Sin- was en- gaged to one Shriver, who owned a flatboa! which he ran between Cincinnati and New Orleans, carrying logs, grain and provisions. At the time of his last trip down to New Orleans, that city was afflicted with an epidemic of yellow fever. Fearing lie might not return alive he gave her a silk reticule and a pair of yellow silk stockings and told her if anything happened he did not gei back she tnighi be buried in the stockings. He did not get back alive from his trip, but died of yellow fever. Aunt Delilah mourned her loss and preserved the stockings throughout the long years of her spinster life and remained true to her firsl love, although there were many other suitors for her hand.
Delilah Fenton was a very generous-hearted woman. She always kept a supply of gold on hand, hut was never aide to refuse a request for a loan; and she lost many hun- dreds of dollars on accounl of the failure id' some of the people who borrowed of her to pay hack their loans, sin- was very industrious and her garden of flowers an 1 vege- tables was always among the besl in the neighborhood. She was so cleanly she swepl her garden walks every day.
After tlm diath of her parents she continued to live in the old home and kept house for lief In-other George. Her home was always a delightful place to visil on accounl of her hospitality. She always kepi on hand the fiuesl honey and the hist maple sugar and the excellence of the meals sin- cooked was something long to he remembered. Sin- was a kind, honest, free-hearted woman, without an enemy
116 DELILAH FENTON.
in the world. She joined the Methodist Clinch at Win- chester, late in life.
After the death of her brother George she moved to tin- old place of her brother William Fenton and spent the rest of her days there with her niece, Caroline Fenton-Baker. She felt nearer to Mrs. Baker than to anyone else, because the latter had lived with her a long time before her mar- riage. At her death she gave her lands and properly to Mrs. Baker for her splendid care of her in her feeble years. She is buried at Winchester, Ohio.
CHAPTER SIX
JOHN FENTON AND FAMILY.
JOHN FENTON i 1796-1855) was born in Fayette coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He married Ruth Corns, of Scioto coun- ty, Ohio. She was horn in L819 and died March 1!>, L88T. He is buried at Winchester, Ohio, and she ai Springfield, Ohio. John Fenton was over six feet tall, weighed aboul 190 pounds and had a tine physique. He was a powerful help to his father in clearing out the heavy timber of the old home place. He also was a successful hunter and farm- er. James Kendall Fenton lias furnished the following in- terest ing sketch of him :
"In comparison with the Fenton men today it would he about like King Saul to the rest of his family or tribe, llis strength was very great, llis form was as near perfei that of any man I ever saw. lie surpassed everybody a- a wood-chopper, lie was a model farmer and with all his strength he was as gentle as a refined woman. \\\> natural wit was the finest I ever saw. lie was the sort of man you would like to honor. lie newer united with any church, bill was a believer in Christianity, llis face and expression was about like that of John Quincy Adams, which is a-- near a- i can describe it. He had no book learning, hut was a beautiful talker. He was called 'Boone John' because he was similar to Daniel Boone in that he loved to hunt wild game in the prim eval forests. He was the kind of man that Burns says fulfills great nature's plan. He was a friendly, social, honest man.'
ISSUE OF JOHN FENTON AND WIFE, RUTH CORNS.
Alfred, born Mayo, 1838; died August. 1894.
Allen, horn January 17, 1840.
Elizabeth Jane, born November 27, 1842 (single).
John .Milton, born May 1:1, 1845.
ALFRED FENTON (1838-1894) married late in life Margaret Smittle. lie was a fine mechanic and was one of the best jewelers and watchmakers in the State of Ohio.
US JOHN FKXTo.X FAMILY
They had one child who died « 1 1 birth. 1 1 is surviving widow married ;i second time to Will Miller, of Stromsburg, Ne- braska, where she lived until her death ;il>oni three years ago.
ALLEN FENTON (1840) has not married. He enlisted twice or three times as ;i soldier of the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion and was for a shorl time a resident of an Ohio Soldiers' Home. lie is a lover of the green fields and running brooks and has spent most of his life in the open aii- going about in Adams county, Ohio.
ELIZABETH JANE FENTON (1842 - -) did no. marry. She was admitted to the Athens, Ohio, State Hos- pital, October 30, 1867. The superintendent on September s. 1909, says: "She still remains at the institution ami enjoys good physical health. She is usually cheerful and well contented. Ber mind has reached the stage of ter- minal dement ia.
JOHN FENTON FAMILY 119
JOHN MILTON FENTON AND FAMILY.
JOHN MILTON FENTON (1845) is a fruit grower ami lives near Catawba, Ohio. He was married to Mary Ann Shoup on November 13, L883. She was born in Nancy county. North Carolina, April 8, 1855, a daughter of Sarah and David Shoup. He is a very industrious ami kind-hearted man of good repute, and lias furnished the writi r some valuable information respecting the Fentons.
JOHN MILTON FENTON AND WIFE MAIiY SHOUP
He enlisted Augusl 11. L862, in the 91sl Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served in the Civil War for three years. In L868 lie made a trip to New Orleans and I'm- three months worked upon cotton and sugar barges. He then returned home and later spent three months in Kansas and finally returned to Adams county, Ohio. 1 1 « - removed to Clark county. Ohio, in ls74. For twenty-five years he was u fence builder, but for the last twelve years has been in the berry business, cultivating strawberries and blackberries.
120 JOHN FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF JOHN MILTON FENTON AND MARY SHOUP, HIS WIFE.
Nettie Mae, horn September 7, 1884 (single).
Florence Lorelle, born March 6, 1886.
Mary Alice, born May 23, 1887.
Margarei Elesta, born November 2, 1891 (single).
FLORENCE LORELLE FENTON-McMAHAN (1886) was married to Arthur Willis McMahan June 2, 1906. He was born in (Mark county, Ohio, on a farm near South Charleston, April 4, 1884. Be is a son of Alymer and Eliza McMahan. His present address is South Vienna, Ohio.
ISSUE OF FLORENCE LORELLE FENTON-McMAHAN AND ARTHUR WILLIS McMAHAN, HER HUSBAND.
Irnia Louise, horn April 4, 1007.
John William, born January 13, 1009.
MARY ALICE FENTON-PEARSON (1887) was mar- pied to Carl Leonard Pearson, the son of George and Serep- ta Pearson, on June 11, 1008. He was horn in Catawba, Ohio, on June 16, L884, and his present address is ( 'atawha. They have no issue.
CHA P TER SE VEN
JESSE FENTON AND FAMILY.
JESSE FENTON (1799-1860) was horn in Mason coun- ty, Kentucky. He married Mary (Polly) Lawrence in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1835. She was horn December 26, 1806, and died January 17, 1885. She was a daughter of John Lawrence and wife, Elizabeth. John Lawrence was a brother of Rosannah Lawrence- Fenton and of Catherine Lawrence-Horner, wife of Ephraim Horner. John Lawrence died June 1, 1854, of the age of To years, 9 months and 23 days, and his wife, Elizabeth, died August 1, 1850, of the age of 69 years, 6 months and 28 days. Both are buried in the Horner burial ground near Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and stones mark their graves. Annt Polly was a mighty good woman and extremely popular witli all of the Fentons. A friend of the family has furnished the following interesting article respecting Jesse Fenton :
"Jesse Fenton was a very sensible and industrious man. lie was a man of great perseverance, was cleanly in his person and provided well for his family, lie was a great worker and never allowed himself to become discouraged, but fought the battle of life to a finish. He was a splendid farmer and his habits were the most orderly of all the men f ever knew. lie always lived well and was highly respected by his neighbors and friends and beloved by his wife and children. He always honored those to whom honor was due. He was well in- formed on all topics of general interest and was a kind, help- ful neighbor. In short, he was far superior to most of the or- dinary men.''
Jesse Fenton owned and occupied a finely kept-up and well-improved farm, which joined that of his brother Wil- liam, and was just across the road from that of his brother Benjamin and near the old home place of his father, Jere- miah Fenton. Both Jesse Fenton and his wife are buried in the Winchester, Ohio, cemetery.
L22 JESSE FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF JESSE FENTON AND MARY (POLLY) LAWRENCE, HIS WIFE.
Louisa, born January 17, 1836; died April 14, 1909. Ruth, born .May 7, 1837.
Turner, born October IS, 1838; died October 10, 1004. Ann Elizabeth, born February 6, 1842; died August 12, L905.
Emma, born .May 28, 1843, died April 311, 1908. Margaret, born August 28, 184."); died December 15, L908. Hannah, born February 22, 1848. Harrison, born .May IS, 1850.
LOUISA FENTON (1836-1909), ANN ELIZABETH FENTON (1842-1905) and MAEGAKET FENTON < 184.",- 1908) all remained single and lived together on the old home place of their father until their death. They were conscientious Christian women and were highly respected by all who knew them. They are all buried in the Win- chester cemetery.
JESSE FENTON FAMILV
123
y. - ri
O g N
124 JESSE FENTON FAMILY
RUTH FENTON-KENDALL AND FAMILY.
RUTH FENTON-KENDALL (1837) was married to Hosea Moore Kendal] on March 31, 1861. He was a son of Benjamin Kendall and Christine Moore and a grandson of
Jesse Kendall, in whose home the First .Methodist Chinch of Winchester was organized, and this is where all of the Teutons worshipped. Hosea Moore Kendall died April
19,1880. Ruth Kendall is still living. She spends st of
her time on her old home place with the family of her son James.
ISSUE OF RUTH FENTON-KENDALL AND HUSBAND, HOSEA MOORE KENDALL.
Emma Alice, born .May 3, 1864. Edith Laura, born February 5, 1867. -lames Henry, horn September 'M), L871.
EMMA ALICE KENDALL-SHORT (1864) was mar- ried to Nathaniel Parker Short, April L6, 1890, and they live at Winchester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF EMMA ALICE KENDALL-SHORT AND HUS- BAND, NATHANIEL PARKER SHORT.
Truman Moore, born January l'i', 1891. La nra .Mary, horn November 19, 1892. William Harrison, born March 31, 1894. Minnie Irene, horn March 5, 1904.
EDITH LAURA KENDALL-SHORT (1867) was mar- ried to Ira T. Short on February L5, L893; and they also live at Winchester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF EDITH LAURA KENDALL-SHORT AND
HUSBAND, IRA T. SHORT.
Jesse Ralph, horn December 26, 1893. Ruth Elizabeth, born April 29, 1899. Mary Edna, horn .May 4, 1901. Lmy Evelyn, horn September 22, 1904.
JESSE FEXTOX FAMILV 125
JAMES HENKY KENDALL 1 1871 I married Annie Lee Edwards in L902. He is a farmer and lives on his father's old home place near Winchester. Ilis mother lives with him a part of the time.
ISSUE OF JAMES HENRY KENDALL AND ANNIE LEE EDWARDS, HIS WIFE.
Louis W'iliner. horn May 28, 1903. Clara Hester, horn January 25, 1905. Dorothy, horn September 6, 1906.
126 JESSE FENTON FAMILY
TURNER FENTON
TURNER FENTON (1838-1904) was a farmer all his life and lived and died near Winchester, Ohio, where he is buried. He was twice married, first to Mattie A. Mr- Clanahan, Novembers, lstil. She died April 6, L891. His second marriage was to Margaret A. Kelley, whom he mar- ried .May IT, 1894. She still survives him. He had no children by either of his marriages.
JESSE FENTON FAMILX" 127
EMMA FENTON-MORROW AND FAMILY.
EMMA FENTON-MORROW (1843-1908) married Al- bert Morrow in 1872. Her husband is a farmer living on Eagle Creek, near Winchester, Ohio, and has made a specialty of* fine sheep raising. Mrs. Morrow is buried at Winchester, ( )hio.
ISSUE OF EMMA FENTON MORROW AND ALBERT MORROW, HER HUSBAND.
Laura Edna, born September 26, 1873.
LAURA EDNA MORROW-HOWLAND i 1873) married Benjamin How land September 26, 1904, and he lives on a farm near Winchester, Ohio. They have had no issue.
128 JESSE FENTON FAMILY.
HANNAH FENTON-McPHERSON.
HANNAH FENTON-McPHERSON (1848) was mar- ried on March 23, L880, to Milton Campbell McPherson, a prosperous, hard-working farmer. He was an elder in the Red Oak Presbyterian Church; a man of strict piety and retiring disposition. He Lived near Russellville, Ohio, and died Augusl L3, L904, and is buried ;u Russellville. His wife survives him and with her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, lives in i lie town of Russellville.
ISSUE OF HANNAH FENTON-McPHERSON AND MIL- TON campbell Mcpherson.
Mary Elizabeth, born .March 5, L885.
MARY ELIZABETH McPHERSON (1885) is a finely educated young woman and a lirsi rate musician. She lives with and is the companion of her mother. She is yery smart, jolly and refined, and has contributed valuable in- formal ion respecting the Jesse Fen ton family.
HARRISON FENTON (1850) was married to Ian. la Rhoton on October L3, L887, and they have had no issue. Ilo is an excellent farmer and now lives on the old home place of his father near Winchester, lie has also been quite active in politics and is a man of good repute in his community, a worthy descendant of his father.
( IIM'T/iK BIGHT
CATHERINE FENTON-ECKMAN AND FAMILY.
CATHERINE FENTON-ECKMAN (1801-1872) was born in Mason County, Kentucky. She w;is married to Benjamin Eckman December 23, L824. II*- svas born June 16, 1798, on the Eckman farm, two miles north of Decatur, and died in Decatur, Ohio, January 24, 1858. A friend fur- nishes the following sketch <>r trim :
"At the time of his marriage he was a school teacher, but soon after he bought property in Decatur and opened a genera] store. He was a man who was respected and loved by all.
The Benjamin Eckman family Bible is in the possession of Professor William Stevenson, Ripley, Ohio.
Mr. James K. Fenton has furnished the following sketch of ( 'at herine Fenton-Eckman :
"She was an exception to the Fenton women in thai she married a merchant. She was a woman of refinement and re- spectability; was a line housekeeper and a splendid cook. She was smarter than the average woman. She was the mother ol two children, girls, both smart and handsome. She was a widow several years."'
Sin- had her full share of grief, for out of the nine chil- dren to whom she gave birth only two, Anna and Emma, lived to become of age ; most of them died when quite young. She died nt the home of Professor William Stevenson, her son-in-law, in Decatur, Ohio. She and all her family were Methodists.
ISSUE OF CATHERINE FENTON-ECKMAN AND HUS- BAND, BENJAMIN ECKMAN.
Ann. horn February 24, 1827; died September 27, L878. Jeremiah fenton, horn September 23, 1828; died Augusl 19, 1836. John, horn August, 1830; died September, 1830. George, born October 1. 1831 ; died July 24, 1847.
130 CATHERINE ECKMAN FAMILY
William, born November 1, 1833; died April lb, 1839. Rosanna, born March 3, 183b; died April 22, 1839. Catherine, born January 9, 1839; died July 5, 1849. Emma Sophia, born August 26, 1841 ; died August 11, 1890.
.Alary Jane, born June 10, 1847; died February 13, 1848.
AXX ECKMAN-VAN NEST (1827-1878) was married to John Van Nest October 8, 1851. Her parents opposed the marriage, so she slipped out one evening and went to the home of Dr. Burse, at Decatur, and was married by the Reverend E. II. Field. John Van Nest came to Decatur in about 1S49, a stranger. lie was a tailor by trade and but very little was ever known aboul his ancestry. They had no children.
CATHERINE ECKMAN FAMILY
131
EMMA STEVENSON AND FAMILY.
EMMA SOPHIA ECKMAN-STEVENSON (1841-1890) married Professor William Stevenson, at Georgetown, Ohio, September 28, 1801. He was horn at Decatur, Ohio, August 8, 1839, a son of Joseph and Nancy Geeslin-Steven- son. He attended the village school until he was about fifteen years old, and then he was prepared to enter the Ohio Valley Academy at Decatur where he attended until he completed the course of study, prepared to enter college.
EMMA SOPHIA STEVENSON
He desired to lie a teacher and went to the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, conducted by Professor Alfred Holbrook. He there took the mathematical course of that institution and also took the teachers' course. He taught 33 years, beginning in a country district. He went step by step to teaching in graded schools. The last ten years of his teaching was in Augusta (Kentucky) College, and in the Male and Female College at Sharpsburg, Path county, Kentucky. In September, 1861, he volunteered in the 59th
132 CATHERINE ECKMAN FAMILY
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years during the war.
The writer was a student under Professor Stevenson when he was principal of the Winchester school and gladly pays tribute to Professor Stevenson as an efficient, kind- hearted teacher and good man. He now lives, in poor health, at Ripley, Ohio. He has quit teaching on account of asthma, from which he is suffering.
ISSUE OF EMMA SOPHIA ECKMAN-STEVENSON AND WILLIAM STEVENSON, HER HUSBAND.
Maggie Irene, born July 2, 1863.
Mary Lulu, born October 28, 1865; died April :5, 1906.
Maud, born October 12, 1867.
Flora Planch, born October 22, 1869; died March 26, 1870.
Eddie Truman, born February 12, 1871; died April 30, L879.
Anna Eckman, born June 22, 1879.
MAGGIE IRENE STEVENSON-JENNINGS (1863) was married to James Wilford Jennings at Augusta, Ken- tucky, January (i, 1892. lie is a son of Robert Anderson and Francis Catherine Wilford, and they live at Augusta, Kentucky.
ISSUE OF MAGGIE IRENE STEVENSON-JENNINGS AND HUSBAND, JAMES WILFORD JENNINGS.
Roberl Stevenson, born November 28, 1892; died April 25, L893.
Frederick, born June 1, 1895.
Richard Sylvanus, born December 6, 1896.
Mabel, born April 2, 1900.
MARY LULU STEVENSON-NORTON (1865-1906) was married to William Dee Norton, at Decatur, Ohio, October 28, L886. He is a son of Dnrem Kinir Norton and
CATHERINE ECKMAN FAMILY 133
Virginia McDonald. lie is a business man at Cincinnati,
Ohio.
ISSUE OF MARY LULU STEVENSON-NORTON AND HUSBAND, WILLIAM DEE NORTON.
Edna Lee, born September 24, 1887. Emma Eckman, born October 18, 1889.
MAUD STEVENSON-HOWLAND (1867) was married on September 15, 1886, at Decatur, Ohio, to Morton How- land, who was born May 12, 1863, a son of David Kobe Rowland and Sarah Ann Lawrence, his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Morton 1 low land now live at Warren, Indiana.
ISSUE OF MAUD STEVENSON-HOWLAND AND MOR- TON HOWLAND, HER HUSBAND.
Florence Die, born June 6, 1887; died August 2, 1SS8. Infant daughter, born September 5, 1888; died Septem- ber 5, 1888.
Gertrude Pauline, born June 17, 1890. Georgiana, born June 17, 1901.
ANNA ECKMAN STEVENSON-BLAIR (1879) was married at Ripley, Ohio, on October 5, 1901, to Earl C. Blair, who was born September 1, 1880, a son of Frank G. and Lola A. Blair. They live at Carthage, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they have had no children.
CHAPTER NINE
JEREMIAH FENTON AND FAMILY.
JEEEMIAH FENTON (1803-1861) was born in Mason county, Kentucky. He married Eliza Crozier, a daughter of Christopher and Margarel Hall-Crozier, ;ii her father's home near Winchester, < >hio, April 27, lS4:i. She was born in March, 1816, in Tyrone county, [reland, and died Febru- ary L, 1SSS. Both she and her husband died at their old homestead near Winchester and are buried in the Win- chester cemetery.
Like nearly all of the Fentons, Jeremiah Fenton was a
farmer all his life. He owned, and kepi up well, a tine farm
near Winchester not far from his father's old place. He
was a devout Methodist, lie was (all and slender and was
a jolly, good-natured man. A relative of the family has
furnished the following sketch of him :
"He was an honest man and a good father, lie was a good neighbor and a splendid farmer. He had some ability to con- verse on history, more so than the average man of his day and generation; he was just an all around good citizen. He loved and indulged a great deal in jovial conversation and was a lover of hospitality. He was an old line whig as were all his brothers. His last vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He was loved 1>y li is neighbors and was helpful where there was sickness."
ISSUE OF JEREMIAH FENTON AND ELIZA CROZIER,
HIS WIFE.
Nelson, born February 26, 1S44.
Margarel Ann, born November 25, 1845.
Mary .lane, born November 23, 1X48.
Elcena, born February 28, 1851.
Russel, born duly 24, 1854.
'{iil'us. born March 13, 1857; died dune 13, 1858.
JEREMIAH FEXTOX FAMILY 135
NELSON FENTON (1844) was married on June 15, 1871, to Demaris Wallace, at the home of her parents near Winchester, Ohio. She was born February 11, 1849, a daughter of < teorge and Rebecca Swearengen-Wallace.
Nelson Fenton is a farmer and lives near Winchester, Ohio, on the old home place of his father, Jeremiah Feu ton. He is a very industrious farmer and keeps his place up in good condition. lie is a typical Fenton and a man of the strictest piety. He is somewhat active in politics and is said to have more political influence than any other man in his township. He has raised a large family of children and his home is a very pleasant place to visit, as he and his family are always hospitable and extend a cordial welcome to all visitors.
ISSUE OF NELSON FENTON AND WIFE, DEMARIS WALLACE-FENTON.
Ida Albertine, born July 29, 1872; died July 13, 1891. Eva Leora, born April 27. 1874. Leona Eliza, born December 16, 1875* Anna Rebecca, born March lb, 1877. Walter Wallace, born May 22, 1878. Charles Elmer, born November 5, 1880. George Edgar, born March 20, 1882. Earl Crozier, born September 15, 1885. Mary Emma, born February 14, 1887. Rena Matilda, born January 18, 1889. Infant son, born September 10, 1891; died September 10, 1891.
Maggie Blanche, born October 10, 1892.
EVA LEORA FEXTOX-< KISSMAX (1874) was mar- ried October 7. 1895, at the home of her parents near Win- chester, Ohio, to Horace Compton Crissman, a son of Wil- liam and Ann < !rissman. His occupation was farming, and he died in March, 1898. Mrs. Crissman lives at Win- chester.
136 JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
ISSUE OF EVA LEORA FENTON-CRISSMAN AND HUSBAND, HORACE COMPTON CRISSMAN.
Selena, born July 31, 1896.
ANNA REBECCA FENTON-ILLY (1877) was married ;it Covington, Louisiana, on March 10, 1904, to Fred Illy, a son of Joseph and Mary Illy. lie is a clerk in the office of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad Company, at Slidell, Louisiana. They have had no issue.
WALTER WALLACE FENTON (1878) is a student at the Stale University of Boulder, Colorado, in the second year of the medical course, lie is unmarried.
CHARLES ELMER FENTON (1880) was married to Dell O'Brien, a daughter of George and Jane O'Brien, at Greenfield, Ohio, November 11, 11)08. He is a machinist and lives at Dayton, Ohio.
ISSUE OF CHARLES ELMER. FENTON AND DELL O'BRIEN, HIS WIFE.
George Edwin, born duly IS, L906.
GEOKGE EDGAR FENTON (1882) was married May :'>, 1007, at Dayton, Ohio, to Eva Dunham, a daughter of John and Margaret Dunham. He is a machinist and lives at I >a\ ton, < >hio.
ISSUE OF GEORGE EDGAR FENTON AND EVA DUN- HAM, HIS WIFE.
Margarel La Vonne, horn January is, L908.
LLOXA ELIZA FENTON (1875), EARL CROZIER FENTON (1885), MARY EMMA FENTON (1887), RENA .MATILDA FENTON (1889), and MAGGIE BLANCHE FENTON (1892) are all unmarried and live with their parents at Winchester, Ohio.
JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY 137
MARGARET ANN HOWARD AND FAMILY.
MARGARET AXX FENTON-HOWARD (1845) was married at her parents' home, near Winchester, Ohio, to Cyrus Washington Howard, January 23, 1868. He was born April 5, 1841, a son of Charles A. and Elizabeth AVil- kins-IIoward.
Mr. C. W. Howard is a retired farmer and president of the Farmers' Hank of Seaman, Ohio. He was a soldier of the Civil War, enlisting August 22, 1802, in the 15th West
MARGARET AXX HOWARD
Virginia Infantry, as private; he was mustered out June 14, 1865, as first sergeant of the company, lie never was sick; never missed an engagement, of which Ids discharge shows twenty-one, until July IS, 1864. lie was wounded and captured ai Lynchburg, Virginia; was taken prisoner and remained so until able to go on crutches. He was paroled at Richmond, Virginia in April, 1865, and he joined his regiment at or near Petersburg, Virginia, and was en- gaged every day until the surrender of General Lee to Gen-
L3S JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
era! Grant at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865. Bis regiment had the honor to do the last fighting the morning of the surrender under General Sheridan.
ISSUE OF MARGARET ANN FENTON-HOWARD AND HUSBAND, CYRUS WASHINGTON HOWARD.
Era Curtis, horn August 8, 1871.
Lyda, horn .May 2, 1875.
Cyrus Kelly, horn November 1, 1881.
1KA CURTIS HOWARD (1871) was married to Lelia May Vandeman at the home of her parents, near Seaman, Ohio, September 3, 1899. She was born May 2, 1X77, a daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth Jane Foster-Vande- man. Mr. Howard is engaged in scientific farming and stock raising, near Seaman, Ohio.
ISSUE OF IRA CURTIS HOWARD AND LELIA MAY VANDEMAN, HIS WIFE.
Margaret E., horn April 20, 1901. Dorothy, horn March 19, 1906.
LYDA BOWARD-VANDEMAN (1875) was married to Dr. Adelhert X. Vandeman at the home of her parents, near Seaman, Ohio, December 26, 1902. He was born December L3, 1879, a son of Sylvester and Elizabeth Jane Foster- Vandeman. Dr. Vandeman is a graduate of Star- ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and practices his profession in Stanton, Ohio.
ISSUE OF LYDA HOWARD-VANDEMAN AND HUS- BAND, ADELBERT N. VANDEMAN.
Howard, horn October L3, 1903.
CYRUS KELLY HOWARD (1881) is single and lives al Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He is a civil engineer and a gradu- ate of Ohio Nor! hern University, at Ada, Ohio. He served
JEREMIAH FEXTOX FAMILY 139
for two years as civil engineer on the Southern Pacific rail- road, in Old and New Mexico. Ho is now city engineer of Sapulpa.
MAKY JANE EEXTOX-EXXIS £L848), now of Green- field, Ohio, was married at her home, near Winchester, to Henry Ennis, a coal and feed merchant, -Time 3, 1869. He was born July 16, 1848, a son of Henry and Sarah Long Ennis. Mrs. Mary J. Ennis and her family, like most Fen- tons, are Methodists.
ISSUE OF MARY JANE FENTON-ENNIS AND HUS- BAND, HENRY ENNIS.
Charles Russell, born March 27, 1870. Willis Edgar, born November 27, 1871. Myrta Ree, born March 5, 1874. Bertha Blanch, born June 10, 1882.
CHARLES RUSSELL EXXIS | 1870 i was married Jan- nary s, 1896 To Bertha Belle Pinkerton, at the home of her parents, Greenfield, Ohio. She was born January 2, 1878, a daughter of Daniel and Martha Pinkerton. Mr. Ennis lives at Greenfield, Ohio, where he is telegraph operator and assistant express agent. He is also a breeder and ex- hibitor of high-class poultry.
ISSUE OF CHARLES RUSSELL ENNIS AND WIFE, BERTHA BELLE PINKERTON.
Raymond Edwin, born February 2, 1898.
WILLIS EDGAR ENNIS (1871) was married to Martha Jeremiah Baker at the home of her parents, Henry and Caroline Fenton-Baker, near Winchester, December 12, 1897. She was born July 19, 1869. He lives at Belle- vue, Kentucky, and his occupation is that of laundryman. They have had no issne.
MYKTA REE ENNIS-HUMES (1871) was married al the home of her parents, Greenfield, Ohio, to Charles Yeo-
140 JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
man Humes, son of Benjamin and Emma Humes. He was born April 18, 1869, and is a street ear motorman, at Springfield, Ohio. His street address is 834 West Jeffer- son street.
ISSUE OF MYRTA REE ENNIS-HUMES AND CHARLES YEOMAN HUMES, HER HUSBAND.
Ruth Leontine, born .May 8, L897. Ralph Ennis, born December 6, 1S!)!>. Doris Grace, born June 8, 1901.
BERTHA BLANCH ENNIS-SLAGLE (1882) was mar- ried to Charles Rufus Slagle, son of Clinton and Emma Slagle, June 10, L902. He was born December 7, 1880. They live al Lyndon, Ohio. Mr. Slagle is a farmer, and a breeder and exhibitor of pure-bred slock and poultry.
ISSUE OF BERTHA BLANCH ENNIS-SLAGLE AND HUSBAND, CHARLES RUFUS SLAGLE.
(linlon Ennis, born August 22, 1905. Rosalie Grace, born September 29, 1907.
JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY ELCENA HOWARD AND FAMILY.
141
ELCENA FENTON-HOWARD i 1851) was married to John Wilkins Howard, son of Charles Allfree and Eliza- beth Wilkins-Howard, at the home of her parents, near
ELCEXA HOWAKI) AM) GRANDSON, HOWARD IRWIN I'LUMMEI!
Winchester, Ohio, September 3, 1873. He was born July 11, 1842; died March 24, 1897, and is buried at Old Mounl Zion Cemetery, near Seaman. His occupation was that of
142 JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
farming. He was a soldier all through the Civil War and was a good Methodist. Mrs. Elcena Howard now lives at Seaman, Ohio.
ISSUE OF ELCENA FENTON-HOWARD AND JOHN WILKINS HOWARD, HER HUSBAND.
Charles Allfree, horn September 5, 1878. Mary Elizabeth, born June 11, 1881. Wait man Fenton, born March 23, 1886 (single). John Paul, horn August 23, 1889 (single).
CHARLES ALLFREE HOWARD (1873) was married February 7, 1905, to Lulu Francis, a daughter of James and Maria McManis-Francis, at the home of her parents, in Brown county, near Winchester, Ohio. She was horn Jan- nary 7, 1S7S, and for a few years before her marriage was a milliner. Mr. Howard lives at Seaman, Ohio, where he is now engaged in farming. He tried city life in several states, hut took to farming from choice, and he is proud of his occupation.
ISSUE OF CHARLES ALLFREE HOWARD AND WIFE, LULA FRANCIS.
Mabel, horn April 28, 1907.
MARY ELIZABETH HOWARD-PLUMMER (1881) was married to Charles Edwin Plummer, a son of Henry and Sarah ( Jrissman-Plummer, December '27, 11)04. He was born February 7, 1881. He is a farmer and thrasherman and lives at Seaman, Ohio. His parents are farmers and are good Presbyterians.
ISSUE OF MARY ELIZABETH HOWARD-PLUMMER
AND CHARLES EDWIN PLUMMER,
HER HUSBAND.
Howard Irwin, horn September 3, 1908.
JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
RUSSEL FENTON AND FAMILY.
Ui
RUSSEL FENTON (1854) was married at Emerald, Ohio, February 26, 1879, to Nancy Anna Smith, who was born January 17, 1855, a daughter of Squire Smith and Sarah McDaniells Smith.
Russel Fenton lias been a farmer all his life and he is a good one. His farm is always well and neatly kept up and in order. His land joins his brother Nelson's near
RUSSEL KENTON
their father's old homestead near Winchester, Ohio. He is a good neighbor, a Christian man and a good citizen. He is active in polities in his township.
ISSUE OF RUSSEL FENTON AND NANCY ANNA SMITH, HIS WIFE.
Harry ('art is, born October 17. 1881.
Mamie Blanch, born August 15, 1884.
William Smith, born May 3, 1886 (single — farmer i.
HARRY CURTIS FENTON (1881) was married to Grace Hanna at the home of her sister, Mrs. Kerns, at
144 JEREMIAH FENTON FAMILY
Piqua, Ohio, June 18, 1907. She is a daughter of Reuben Hanna and Nancy Drusilla Hanna.
Harry C. Fenton is a special adjuster of accounts, repre- senting Powell & Howell, a prominent linn of lawyers ar Dayton, Ohio.
ISSUE OF HARRY CURTIS FENTON AND GRACE HANNA, HIS WIFE.
Russel Reuben, born September 30, 1908.
MAMIE BLANCH FENTON-REIGHLEY (1884) was married at the home of her parents, Winchester, Ohio, to Henry Herbert Reighley, November 30, 1905. He is a son of James II. Reighley and .Alary J. Kirkpatrick, his wife. He is a graduate of Miami University and is a teacher of Mathematics in the East High School, at Columbus, Ohio.
ISSUE OF MAMIE BLANCH FENTON-REIGHLEY AND HENRY HERBERT REIGHLEY, HER HUSBAND.
Dorothea Ermintrude, born October 3, 1906. Mary Anna, born January 26, 1908.
CHAPTER TEX
MARY (POLLY) FENTON-BAIRD AND FAMILY.
MARY (POLLY) FENTON-BAIRD (1804-1875) was born in Mason county, Kentucky. She was married on May IT, 1832, to John Baird, a well-to-do farmer, living near Russellville, Ohio, a son of George and Jane Baird. He was born May 9, 1807, and died March 10, 1881. Both
MARY ( POLLY) FENTUN BAIRD
are buried in the Baird graveyard near Russellville.
"■Polly" Baird was an honest, cheery, industrious wom- an; was a model housewife and a lifelong member of the Methodist < !hureh. To her came the honor of being a m oili- er of twin daughters.
A friend of hers has written of her as follows :
"She was a likeable, old-fashioned woman, whose like is seen
I It,
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
no more; honest, but unassuming", a hard worker all her life. Her home was one of great plenty and she helped to make hei husband a rich man. She raised a large family of children ; but 1 don't know how many. She died in a good old age. i think her children could well call her 'blessed.' ':
ISSUE OF MARY FENTON-BAIRD AND JOHN BAIRD, HER HUSBAND.
Jeremiah Fenton, born March 10, L833; died October is, L905. George, born March 3, 1835; died November 28, 1890. Sarah Ann, born March 12, ls:ST ; died June 2.~>, 11)01. Rosanna, born April 11, 1839. Katherine, horn April 11, 1839; died July, 1839. John, horn February 23, 1842. Mary, horn April 6, 1S44; died November 22, 1898. Rufus, born May 29, 1849; died April 20, 1892.
JEREMIAH KENTON BAIRD AND WIFE, NANCY SHAW
JEREMIAH FENTON BAIRD (1833-1905) was mar- ried lo Nancy Shaw at Decatur, Ohio, April 26, 1860. She was horn June 11, 1839, a daughter of Joseph Shaw and Nancy Hamilton Shaw.
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 147
Mr. Baird moved to Blue Springs, Missouri, in January, L865, where his occupation was that of farming', stock rais- ing and bee keeping until the time of his death, at which time he owned a whole section of fine land. He and his family belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was active in temperance work and considered secret societies enemies to both church and individuals. The min- ister in preaching his funeral sermon said: " His was a noble life; he hated sin in all its forms." He was indus- trious and well informed; and he was liberal in his chari- ties. His widow, Nancy Shaw Baird, still survives him and lives at Blue Springs, Missouri.
ISSUE OF JEREMIAH FENTON BAIRD AND NANCY SHAW, HIS WIFE.
Mary Hamilton, born February 21, 1861. Elizabeth Fenton, born August 22, 1862; died August 20, 1880.
MARY HAMILTON BAIRD-LIGGETT (1861) was married to John Alonzo Liggett, at Oak drove, Missouri, December 8, 1881. He was born January 25, 1858, a son of James Walker Liggett and Sophia Crow Little. He died July 25, 1901). His widow, Mrs. Mary II. Baird-Liggett, survives him and lives at Blue Springs, Missouri. Mrs. Liggett is a very superior woman, a devoted mother, and she has shown much interest in and helped greatly with this book.
ISSUE OF MARY HAMILTON BAIRD-LIGGETT AND HUSBAND, JOHN ALONZO LIGGETT.
Walter J., born June 9, 1883. Fred AY., born December 23, 1885. Henry Hughes, born April 20, 1887. Baird, born December 4, 1889. Nadaine Elizabeth, born July 25, 1894. Edith Elsa, born December 7, 189G.
148 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
WALTER J. LIGGETT (1883) is unmarried. Be is a farmer and lives at Blue Springs, Jackson county, Mis- souri.
FRED VV. LIGGETT ( 1885) married Delia May Shrout, August 22, 1!)07. She was born duly 13, 1879, a daughter of dames Monroe Shrout and Sarah Katherine Shrout.
FRED VV. LIGGETT is a farmer and accountanl and lives at Line Springs, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Liggetl have hail no children.
HENRY HUGHES LIGGETT (1887) married Ger- trude I telle Shrout, October 1(1, 1908. She was born Feb- ruary 7, 1890, and is a daughter of James Monroe ami Sarah Katherine Shrout, being a sister of Mrs. Fred \V. Liggett.
HENRY II. LIGGETT is a farmer and lives ai Blue Springs, Missouri. He has had no issue.
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 149
GEORGE BAIRD AND FAMILY.
GEORGE BAIRD (1835-1890) was married on April 10, 1873, to .Mary A. Smith, at Decatur, Ohio. She was born September 19, 1841. George Baird was a farmer and lived and died near Russellville, Ohio. His surviving widow lives at Winchester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF GEORGE BAIRD AND MARY A. SMITH, HIS
WIFE.
John Pearl, born January 1, 1874.
Frank Otis, born June 22, 1876.
Grace Ruth, born December 24, 1877; died December
1, 1879.
Bessie Blanch, born May 11, 1884.
JOHN PEARL BAIRD I 1S74» was married September
2, 189(5, at Russellville, Ohio, to Mattie Mefford, who was born April 1 1, 1876, a daughter of Reverend W. \Y. Mefford and Martha Mefford. Mr. Baird is a farmer and lives near Winchester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF JOHN PEARL BAIRD AND MATTIE MEF- FORD, HIS WIFE.
Grace Ruth, born May 30, 1897. Marjorie Lmy, born July 2, 1900.
FRANK OTIS BAIRD | 1870 ) was married at Washing- ton C II., Ohio, to Osa Job, daughter of Henry and Sarah Job, September 2, 1902. She was born November 3, 1878. He is a farmer and lives near Winchester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF FRANK OTIS BAIRD AND OSA JOB FIS
WIFE.
Paul Ervin, born June 6, 1903. Dorothy, born October 2, 1907.
BESSIE BLANCB BAIRD-POTTS (1884) was mar-
150 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
ried at Georgetown, Ohio, to Charles Potts, son of J. T. Tottx and Margaret Potts, on March 30, 1905. He was born January 24, 1880, and his occupation is farming, near Win- chester, Ohio.
ISSUE OF BESSIE BLANCH BAIRD-POTTS AND CHARLES POTTS, HER HUSBAND.
Ralph Baird, horn Dec. 12, 1908.
His Grandma Baird says: "He is the prettiest hoy in (lie whole connection."
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 151
SARAH ANN BAIRD-EYLER.
SARAH ANN BAIRD EYLER (1837-1901) was mar- ried at tlif home of her parents near RusselMlle, Ohio, De- cember 29, IS."):',, to Joseph Eyler, a farmer, who was born December 1(1, 1829, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth Eyler and
a nephew of Judge Joseph Eyler. She died near Emerald, Adams county, Ohio. Her husband survives her and lives at Hillsboro, Ohio. Unfortunately four of her six children died before becoming of age; three died in infancy.
ISSUE OF SARAH ANN BAIRD-EYLER AND JOSEPH EYLER, HER HUSBAND.
John, born October is, 1854; died August 12, 1855.
Mary Elizabeth, born July 5, 1856; died April 30, 1875.
Franklin Lewis, born March 17, 1859; died October !), 18(31.
Aaron Rufus, born October 24, 1861 ; died May 2, 1864.
( reorge Baird, born March 5, 1864.
Henry Cornelius, born April 15, 1867.
Lucien Perry, born January 6, 1870; died March 28, 1870.
Louella, born June 23, 1873.
Minnie, burn January 24, 1876; died January 24, 1876.
OxEOROE BAIRD EYLER 1 1864 I was married to Anna M. Borden, daughter of Nicolas and Mary Borden, on October 25, 1803. He lives near Hillsboro, Ohio, and his occupation is that of farming. They have had no issue.
HENRY OORNELIUS EYLER (1867) was married on September 21, 1803, to Lizzie J. Shaw, a daughter of W. A. and Nancy Shaw. He lives near Sabina, Ohio, and his oc- cupation is that of farming.
ISSUE OF HENRY CORNELIUS EYLER AND LIZZIE J., HIS WIFE.
Lou Erne, bom July 12, 1894; died June 30, 1896. Lola May, born October 17, 1807.
152 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
Clarence Albert, born September 7, 1899. Bessie .Marie, born September 1, 1901. Gladys Isla, born February 23, 1901. Arthur Willard, born September 22, 1905. Son, born August 11, 1909.
LOUELLA EYLEK-WOODS (1878) was married on June 15, 1895, to Joseph J. Woods, son of Joseph and Rachel A. Woods. They live at Jamestown, Ohio, and his occupatioD is that of farming.
ISSUE OF LOUELLA EYLER-WOODS AND J. H. WOODS, HER HUSBAND.
Alva, born April 25, 1896.
Wilber, born July 24, 1897.
Ethel, born November 20, 1899.
Walter, born September 25, 1902.
Goldie, born January 20, 1905; died February 20, 1905.
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
ROSANNA BAIRD-HOWLAND.
153
ROSANNA BAIRD-HOWLAND (1839) was married to John I lowland, near Russellville, Ohio, May 12, 1870.
ROSANNA IIOWLAXI)
He was born Angust 25, 1818, and was a son of Ezatus and Sarah Howland. He was a farmer near Russellville, Ohio, and accumulated considerable wealth. He died April 15, 1896. The writer is much indebted to Mrs. Rosanna
154 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
Howland for valuable information respecting her mother's family. She now lives at Ripley, Ohio, although she is at present visiting friends at Redlands, California. She has only recently recovered from an attack of pneumonia.
ISSUE OF ROSANNA BAIRD-HOWLAND AND JOHN HOWLAND, HER HUSBAND.
Flora Dell, born December 31, 1872; died November 1G, 1885.
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 155
JOHN BAIRD AND FAMILY.
JOHN BAIRD (1842) was married to Elizabeth Eden- field, near Carlisle, Ohio, February 7, 1867. She was born November 23, 1S4(>, a daughter of Richard and Rachel Eyler-Edenfield. Mr. Baird is a well-to-do farmer, living near Cherry Fork, Adams county, Ohio.
ISSUE OF JOHN BAIRD AND ELIZABETH EDEN- FIELD-BAIRD, HIS WIFE.
George Lewis, born January 18, 1868.
Irene, born June 15, 18(59.
Rachel Anna, born February 22, 1871.
Rnfns, born June 5, 1871; died November 17, 1875.
Albert, born October 23, 1876.
Frank, born April F.I, 1880 (single), Cherry Fork, Ohio.
Oma, born October 18, 1882.
Grace Maud, born January 6, 1880.
Erie Gladys, born July 23, 1888.
GEORGE LEWIS BAIRD (1868) was married to Mag- gie May McCormick by the Reverend S. W. Campbell, at West Union, Ohio, April 13, 1802. She was born November 28, 1873, a daughter of William Stewart McCormick and Elizabeth McFarland-McCormick. Mr. Baird lives at An- thony, Kansas, where he is employed in a flouring mill.
ISSUE OF GEORGE LEWIS BAIRD AND MAGGIE MAY McCORMICK, HIS WIFE.
Avis Fay, born March 4, 1894.
Ferrell Novlyn, born September 20, 1006.
IRENE BAIRD-ROBISON (1869) was married al the home of her parents, North Liberty, Ohio, February 28, 1804, to William Vane Robison, who was born .May 6, L866, a son of Wade Hampton and Z^r>miah Ellis-Robison.
Mr. and Mrs. W. V. Robison live near Winchester, Ohio, and are engaged in farming.
156 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
ISSUE OF IRENE BAIRD-ROBISON AND HUSBAND, WILLIAM VANE ROBISON.
Earle Baird, bom July 7, 1898. Ruth Marie, born February 10, L902.
RACHEL ANNA BAIRD-CHAMBERS (1871) was married at West Union, Adams county, Ohio, on May 9, L894, to .John Spencer Chambers, a son of George and Mary Burns-( hambers. lie was born January .3, 1862, and his occupation is that of guard at the Ohio Penitentiary. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers live at 28. Hayden avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
ISSUE OF RACHEL ANNA BAIRD-CHAMBERS AND HUSBAND, JOHN SPENCER CHAMBERS.
Charles Cordon, born March 30, 1902.
ALBERT BAIRD (187(5) was married to Dora Adams, in Jackson county, Missouri, in December, 1903. She was born in 1X79. Mr. Baird is a farmer and lives at Bluff <'ity, Kansas.
ISSUE OF ALBERT BAIRD AND DORA ADAMS, HIS
WIFE.
Ray, bom October — , 1901.
Grace Maud, born December — , 1900.
Boy, nol yet named, born June — , 1909.
OAIA BAIRD-ROUSH (1882) was married to Nathan Sherman Roush, by the Reverend \Y. W. Montgomery, at Seaman, Ohio, May 11, 1905. Be was born September 13, 1S79, a son of Nathan Ballard Roush and Rebecca Anna Swearengen-Roush. They have had one child, born and • lied January 1, 1907. Mr. Roush lives at West Union, Ohio, where he is engaged in farming.
GRACE MALI) BAIRD-SHELL (1886) was married at Seaman, Ohio, duly 14, 1905, to William Oscar Shell, who
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 157
was born July 12. 1870. a son of .Tames Shell and Sarah Anna Young. Mr. Shell is a farmer living near Wesi Union, Ohio.
ISSUE OF GRACE MAUD BAIRD-SHELL AND HUS- BAND, WILLIAM OSCAR SHELL.
William Everett, horn May 21, L906. James Howard, born August 4, 1908.
ERIE GLADYS BAIRD-WAGNEE (1888) was mar l-icil to John Lepley Wagner, at Decatur, Ohio, August 9, 1906. He was born March 23, 1886. a son of David Wagner and Martha Belle Williams-Wagner. He is a farmer and lives near Decatur. Ohio.
ISSUE OF ERIE GLADYS BAIRD-WAGNER AND HUS- BAND, JOHN LEPLEY WAGNER.
Alberta Mae. born March 5, 1907.
158 POLLY BAIRD FAMILY
MARY BAIRD-WEST AND FAMILY.
MARY BAIRD-WEST (1844-1898) was married to John West on November 15, 1860. She died near Decatur, Ohio. He was born April 10, 1882, a son of John and Lavinia West. His occupation was that of farming. He died July 15, 1873.
ISSUE OF MARY BAIRD-WEST AND JOHN WEST, HER HUSBAND.
George Baird. born July 14, 1862. Levina, born December 5, 18(54. Joseph Ellis, born January 22, 1807. .Mary Helen, born July 28, 1869. William Rufus, born March 3, 1872.
GEORGE BAIRD WEST | 1862) is engaged in farming near Ripley, Ohio, and is not married.
LEVINA WEST-EDENFIEL1) (1864) was married to Samuel Edenfleld, a son of Richard Hart and Rachel Edenheld, at the home of her parents on Eagle ('reek, Oc- tober 18, 1883. He was born November 20, 1858, and lives near Ripley, Ohio, where he is engaged in farming.
ISSUE OF LEVINA WEST-EDENFIELD AND HUS- BAND, SAMUEL EDENFIELD.
Mary Maud, born September 16, 1884. Annie Dell, born January 5, 1887. William McVey, born August 20, 1890. Clara, born June 5, 1892. Oren Lee, horn August 18, 1899.
JOSEPH ELLIS WEST (1867) was married to Tiara Lucas al Unadilla, Nebraska, on February 20, 1890. She was born January 21, 1867, a daughter of Fred and Fanny Pell-Lucas. Mr. West is engaged in farming near Unadilla, Nebraska.
POLLY BAIRD FAMILY 159
ISSUE OF JOSEPH ELLIS WEST AND WIFE, CLARA LUCAS-WEST.
Harvey Macvay, born December 3, 1890. George Bryan, born June 2, 189G. Marjorie, born November 2, 1898. Nellie Evelyn, born June 17, 1903.
MARY HELEN WEST- BEASLEY (1869) was married to John Beaslcy, at Decatur, Ohio, December 2, 1891. He is a farmer near Ripley, Ohio, and was born May 18, 1859, a son of Alfred and Nancy Beaslcy.
ISSUE OF MARY HELEN WEST-BEASLEY AND HUSBAND, JOHN BEASLEY.
Alma Grace, born February 7, 1891. Nellie Jane, born September 29, 1897 ; died December 8, 1905.
WILLIAM RUFUS WEST ( 1872 ) was married to Ada Blanche Work, a daughter of John and Ellen Work, on February 21, 1901, at Russellville, Ohio. Mr. West is en- gaged in farming near Ripley, Ohio. They have had no issue.
RUFUS BAIRD, YOUNGEST CHILD OF POLLY BAIRD.
RUFUS BAIRD (1849-1892) did not marry. He was born a cripple and died at Blue Springs, Missouri. His oc- cupation was teaching school.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
GEORGE FENTON.
GEORGE FENTON (1808-1861) was born in Adams county, Ohio. He did not wed. He was quite attentive to, and became a good friend of, Hannah Moore, a maiden lady, but remained single to take care of his maiden sister, Delilah, and his brother Joseph, who lost his mind. He was a farmer and occupied the old home place of his father until his death. He was a fine looking man and had beau- tiful bine eyes. He was dressy for his time and often wore a tine silk hat. He was a great fun-maker and was quite witty. He is buried at Winchester, Ohio. The following sketch has been furnished by one who knew him well :
"He was of a lovely disposition ; never saw him angry or sullen; was a fine historian and a fine conversationalist. He loved to have company about his house and he knew how to make them feel they were entirely welcome. The most of the lime f knew him he was a man of leisure and had plenty of money. When in his prime he was a fine looking man. The last years of his life he was much afflicted, having had a speli of a fever. The doctor salivated him very badly from which lie never recovered."
CHAPTER TU'EL VE
BENJAMIN FENTON AND FAMILY.
BENJAMIN FENTON (1810-1870) was born in Scott, now Winchester, township, Adams county, Ohio. He mar- ried Elizabeth Smith at Winchester, Ohio, in April, 1838. She was born at Smithiield, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1813, a daughter of Barnabas Smith and
BENJAMIN FENTON
Elizabeth Bees Smith, and died at Winchester, Ohio, No- vember 5, 1892. She was very industrious, upright and benevolent and of great decision of character.
Like all of his brothers, Benjamin Fenton was a farmer. His farm adjoined that of his brothers, Jesse and William, and was very near his father's old place. It was one of the best kept up farms in Adams comity and his dwelling
162
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
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BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY 163
was one of the best owned by any of the sons or daughters of Jeremiah Fenton. He lived a pure and pious life; spent all his days near Winchester, and left no spot or blemish on his good name Both he and his wife are buried in the Winchester cemetery. The following sketch of him was furnished by one of the Kent on family:
''Benjamin Fenton was a life-long farmer of more than av- erage prosperity. lie was industrious, painstaking and frugal. Habits as nearly correct as could be found. lie was never known to use tobacco or strung drink, or to indulge in pro- fane or unchaste language. He was very religious and main- tained family worship regularly in his household. In politics he was, in early life, a whig, with strong anti-slavery proclivi- ties, but when the time came for disintegration of that party he became an ardent republican. He was a great reader and kept himself well posted on the current events of It's time."
ISSUE OF BENJAMIN FENTON AND ELIZABETH SMITH, HIS WIFE.
Rosanna Juliet, born October 18, 1839; died September 11, 1885.
Mary Lydia, born January 7, 1842.
Linden Jerome, born May 7, 1844.
Albert Washington, born July 7, 1846.
Emma Catherine, born November 21, 1848; died July 16, 1891.
Priscilla Adelaide, born July 20, 1851.
Martha, born November 13, 1854.
ROSANNA JULIET FENTON (1839-1885) did not wed. She assisted in the household duties at the old home and was especially kind to everyone and very conscientious.
MARY LYDIA PENTON-McKNIGHT I 1842 I was mar- ried to John Ellison McKnight at the home of her parents, near Winchester, Ohio, August 27, 1868. He was born May 2, 1841, a son of John McKnight and Sarah Moore.
Mr. McKnight was a soldier in the Civil War, being in Company "A" 70th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the war he taught school for a few years and then fitted himself
164
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
for the law; was admitted to the bar and at the time of his death he had taken rank as one of the leading lawyers of his section of the state. lie died at St. Joseph, Missouri, June 11, 1870.
MARY I.VDIA MCKNIGHT
Mis. McKnight, prior to her marriage, received a good common-school education, attended normal school at Leb- anon, Ohio, for ;i brief period, and taught school for sev-
|:K\'.IA.\I1.\ FKXTON KAAliM
165
era! years. She lia.s been active in church and temperance
work. She has recently stated:
"My aim has been and will henceforth be to try to make the world better by my having lived in it. I want my greatest thought from this time onward to be that I may never lose an opportunity of winning souls for Christ's Kingdom."
Mrs. McKnight lives at L903 Illinois avenue, Sioux City,
Iowa.
ISSUE OF MARY LYDIA FENTON-McKNIGHT AND
JOHN ELLISON McKNIGHT, HER HUSBAND.
Maud, born May Id, 1869.
Albert Percy, born March 23, 1871.
Lucie, born February 16, 1874; died August 20, 1874.
Sarah Katherine, born September 19, 1875.
MAUD MCKNIGHT
MAID MCKNIGHT < L869) and ALBERT PERCY MC- KNIGHT (1871) are both single. The former lives at 1103 East Liberty Avenue, Spokane, Washington, where she is engaged in teaching. The latter lives at L903 Illinois Avenue, Sioux < 'ity, low a.
166 BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
SARAH KATHEEINE McKNIGHT-KEX V( >\ ( 1ST.)) was married April 7, 1903, at Maitland, Missouri, to Clyde M. Kenyon, a son of Monroe Kenyon. He was a bookkeeper for his father in the mercantile business and died at St. Louis, Missouri, October 10, 1905. They had no children.
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY 167
LUCIEN JEROME FENTON AND FAMILY.
LUCIEN JEROME FENTON (1844) was married to Belle Manker May i'i*, 1872, at Maysville, Kentucky. She was born February 11, 1S47, at Hillsboro, Ohio, a daughter
LL'CIEX .JEKOME FENTON
of William W. and Ann Leggett-Manker. Her father was a native of Ohio and was for many years a prominent busi- ness man ami manufacturer of Ripley, Ohio, and at Mays ville, Kentucky.
Ifi8 BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
Lucien J. Fenton lias been a student, scholar, teacher, statesman and successful business man; a combination rarely found in any one man. First, after many hard knocks, he obtained a good education. Second, lie won complete success as an educator, having been for many years a teacher of prominence. Third, lie took an active part in public affairs and his political influence became such as to win for himself a seat in the Congress of the United States, and while in that Congress was an influen- tial member of the important Military Affairs Committee during the Spanish-American War. Fourth, lie organized the Winchester Bank and has made of it a successful bank- ing institution.
It is an achievement for one man to win success in any one of these things, but to win success in nil four of t hem is certainly real success in the highest sense of the term.
Thai he has made some political enemies even among the Fentons must be acknowledged; but it should be remem- bered no man in political office can please all; and invar- iably ami necessarily some enemies are made. All Fentons should feel pride in Lucien Fenton's achievements and they should also cherish the fact that throughout his career the terms "grafter," "trickster" and "demagogue" have not been and could not be applied to him.
.Mi-. Fenton has always maintained a hospitable home where his friends and all Fentons are welcome. One fur- ther fad should be noted: he has always stood ready to help others, and especially his own kin, to get an education ami rise in the world. When the writer's mother was left a widow in 1876 with three small, young children to rear, it was Lucien Fenton who comforted her and suggested ways for them to obtain a good education — even offering to take one of them into his own home at Manchester. While iii Congress he had the right to appoint a boy to at- tend school at West Point, an appointment of great polit- ical value io him, and he named for the post, one of the descendants of the Lentous, thus giving that person a gold- en opportunity for the very finest education obtainable
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY 169
anywhere. This appointment to one of his own kin could in no way help Mr. Fenton politically, but it goes to prove his great desire to help his own friends and relatives.
As a banker he has ever been ready and willing to coun- sel anyone in respect to financial investments, business propositions, etc., and it is safe to say no man or woman ever lost a dollar through following his advice.
Mr. Fenton is much traveled ami has recently made a tour abroad and has written for the press a series u\' papers describing his travels.
Since he is the only Fenton to win high political office it seems hut fair to give him this extended notice and also to insert herein the following sketch of him, taken in the main, from the "Biographical Cyclopedia of Ohio/' which covers his life more in detail:
LUCIEN JEROME FENTON.
"The subject of this sketch attended the common district schools when a boy — for a portion of the time in a typical old log schoolhouse, subsequently for several terms he was en- rolled as a student at the National Normal University, at Le- banon, Ohio, and finally he entered the Ohio University at Athens. Until his eighteenth year he was employed on his father's farm, but was always inclined toward a business or a professional life.
"He taught a district school in Brown County during the winter of 1865-6; clerked in a store at Winchester the follow- ing summer; and again taught school near Eckmansville through the fall and winter of 1866-7.
"He was superintendent of schools at Winchester from 1871 to 1874; at West Union from 1874 to 1875; and at Manchester from 1875 to 1881. He was awarded a life certificate by the State Board of School Examiners, at Cincinnati, December, 1878, and was president of the Adams County Teachers' As- sociation from 1875 to l%77- He enlisted in Company I, 91st Ohio Volunteers, August 11. 1862. and was discharged on ac- count of a gunshot wound May 20, 1865, at York. Pennsyl- vania; was at the battle of Lynchburg. June 18 and 19, 1864; at Stephenson's Depot, July 20th; at Winchester. July 24th; at Martinsburg, July 25th; and at Opequan, September 19th. 1864, besides numerous minor engagements during term of service. He was dangerously wounded on last mentioned date. Mr. Fenton \va< appointed a member of the Board oi School Examiners, for Adams County in 1878, and resigned
170 BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
this office and the position of superintendent of Manchester schools in 1881, to accept an appointment to a responsible posi- tion in the Custom House at New Orleans, Louisiana, by Hon. |m1i,i Sherman, Secretary of the United States Treasury, Jan- uary, 1881; was transferred to the Treasury Department at \\ ashington by the same official in March, 1881, and held this position until October, 1884, when he resigned to be- come cashier of the Winchester Bank, of Winchester, Ohio, which position he is now filling. He was ap- pointed one of the honorary commissioners of the Ohio Centennial Exposition, held at Columbus, in 1888, and received the appointment from Governor McKinley, Feb- ruary 19, 1892, as a trustee of the Ohio University at Athens. He became a member of the Masonic Order in 1868; of the order of Knights Templar in 1876; and of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1882. He also belongs to the Society of the Army of West Virginia, to the Phi Delta Theta college frater- nity, and to the Knights of Pythias.
".Mr. Kenton has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1868. In politics, he has always been a Republi- can, and was the candidate of that party for clerk of the court; of Adams County in [880, but was unable to overcome the large Democratic majority. At the noted Galliopolis Congres- sional Convention, 1888, he received the unbroken support of his county, Adams, through 820 successive ballots, after which he withdrew his name, thereby giving the nomination to Judge A. C. Thompson, of Portsmouth. He received complimentary votes from each of the six counties, then composing the Elev- enth District of Ohio; during this contest Hon. H. S. Bundy, Gen. W. If. Enochs, and Hon. W. McCormick were also can- didates before this Convention. Pie has several times been a delegate to State Conventions, and was chosen one of the dele- gales to the National Republican Convention at Minneapolis, by acclamation, at the Convention of the Republicans of the Tenth District of Ohio, held at Waverly, May 3, 1892. lie went to the Minneapolis Convention as an ardent supporter of the I ton. James G. Blaine for the Presidency; but finally, in common with forty-four other members of the Ohio delegation, casl his vote for Hon. William McKinley.
'Mr. Fenton became a candidate for Congress, for the sec- ond time, before the fronton Convention, held in August, 1893, fo nominate a sucessor to the late Gen. W. H. Enochs. After marly eighteen hundred ballots, he requested his delegation to casl the vote of Adams County for Hon. H. S. Bundy, of Jackson County, thus nominating the latter. Mr. Fenton be- came a candidate again for congressional honors before the I onvention of the Tenth District of Ohio, which met at Ports- mouth. June i<), [894, and was nominated, June 21st, on the 564th ballot, and was elected a member of the Fifty-fourth Congress, November 6, 1894, by a plurality of more than
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY 171
10,000, the largest ever given any candidate in the district. I [e was re-nominated for Congress by acclamation in 1896, and re-elected as a member of the Fifty-fifth Congress after the memorable campaign which resulted in the election of William McKinley to the Presidency over William Jennings Bryan. Having been appointed by Speaker Reed to membership on the Committee on Military Affairs, his service thereon covered the period of the Spanish- American War, and since this com- mittee is one of great power and responsibility in time of peace. it is pre-eminently so in time of war.
"At the outbreak of the war with Spain it became necessary for the Military Committee to formulate legislation prepara- tory to the reorganization of the regular army and also to the enlistment and equipment of a large volunteer force. The ar- duous duties and responsibility of individual members of the committee in this connection are apparent.
*" After having served two terms, he retired to private life in March, 1899, and resumed his position at the head of Win- chester Bank. Prior to the close of his last term in Congress, he was appointed by Governor Bushnell a member of the Ohio Centennial Commission, which was authorized by an act of the General Assembly to formulate and execute plans for a great centennial exposition at Toledo in 1903, to commemorate the admission of Ohio into the Union as a State.
"The commission went to work with zeal worthy of the rep- resentatives of a great state, and with the co-operation of the city of Toledo, made rapid progress, having secured a pictur- esque site for the exposition on the lake front: a large appro- priation from the national government, and the active co-oper- ation of all the great states which had formerly constituted the Northwest territory. But after all this and much more had been accomplished, the jealousy and bitterness growing out of factional quarrels in the party in power during the admin- istration of Governor Nash brought about legislation which abolished the commission and. to the lasting discredit of cer- tain political leaders, Ohio's centennial was not celebrated by an exposition."
ISSUE OF LUCIEN JEROME FENTON AND WIFE, BELLE MANKER.
Alberta Florence; born September 25, 1873. Clifton Lucien; born February 2('», 1S7('». Mary Elizabeth; born August 13, 1880.
ALBERTA FLORENCE FENTON (1873) is single and
lives with her parents at Winchester, Ohio. She was edu- cated at Oxford Female College at Oxford, Ohio, and al
172 BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. She was sec- retary to her father while he was a member of Congress.
CLIFTON LUCIEN FENTON (1876) was married to Elizabeth Gibson, of Rockbridge Baths, Virginia, October 25, L905. She was born November 13, 1887, and is a great- granddaughter of General Andrew .Moore, an officer of the War of the Revolution ; a member of the first Congress and a Senator of the United States from Virginia for twelve vears. Her parents' names are James Samuel Gibson and Emily Le Mar Moore.
Clifton L. Fenton served on the General Staff of the Army as Assistant Quartermaster with the rank of Cap- tain during the Spanish-American War, and for more than ;i year afterward. He was appointed by President McKin- Ley. At the present time he is the cashier of the Winches- ter Bank. lie is well educated, having obtained his edu- cation in the public schools, and at the Ohio Northern Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio. He is notable for his kindly disposi- tion and integrity.
ISSUE OF CLIFTON LUCIEN FENTON AND ELIZA- BETH GIBSON, HIS WIFE. Gibson Lucien; born August 10, 1906.
MARY ELIZABETH FENTON-LONG (1880) was mar- ried at the home of her parents, Winchester, Ohio, to Wil- fred Rudisill Long, June 4, UM>2. He was born at Win- chester, Ohio, April 16, 1ST!), a son of Samuel Newton Long and Louise Elizabeth Havens. He is manager of the business of the S. N. Long Warehouse Company, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Mrs. Mary E. Long attended public school at Winchester, Ohio, and Washington, 1). C, and she also attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. Her present ad- dress is 5015 Kensington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri.
ISSUE OF MARY ELIZABETH FENTON-LONG AND WILFRED R. LONG. Wilfred Fenton; born June 27, 1005.
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
IT,
|
1 1 SB* <V |
|
|
' |
|
WILFRED KENTON LONG
174 BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY
ALBERT WASHINGTON FENTON.
ALBERT WASHINGTON FENTON (1846) has re- mained single. He is a prosperous farmer living near Winchester, Ohio, on his father's old place. lie is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church and a conscientious Christian. Although well educated and of bright mind he has pre- ferred the quiet of farm life to any other occupation. He is one of I hose men of whom we say, "His word is as good as his bond."
EMMA CATHERINE FENTON (1848-1891) did not wed. She was a woman of excellent mind and beautiful character. She took a course of music al the Conservatory, Cincinnati, and afterwards taugtil music with success.
PRISCILLA FENTON JEPFERYS
PRISCILLA ADELAIDE FEXTOX - JEFFERYS (1851 i was married to Melker Martin Jerf'erys, June 20, L895, ;ii Winchester, Ohio. He is a sou of Lewis Jefferys and Catherine Wallers. He served in the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion from West Virginia; taught
BENJAMIN FENTON FAMILY 175
school for some time after the war and is now in the gov- ernment service, being in charge of the National Cemeter}7 at Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is a. genial, clever man lo meet.
Mrs. Priscilla A. Jefferys was a successful teacher in the public schools of Ohio and Kansas for some years before her marriage. The writer had the privilege of going to school at Winchester to her and gladly bears tribute to her excellence as a teacher. It is safe to say all her former pupils remember her with great esteem and affection. She
has had no issue.
MARTHA FEXTOX (1834) has remained single and
lives with her brother, Albert, on the home farm near Win- chester. She has considerable artistic talent and has pro- duced some paintings of merit. She has many valuable Fenton relics and keepsakes and always extends a hearty welcome and real hospitality to visitors; her home is a de- lightful place to visit.
( If A P PER THIR TEEN
JOSEPH FENTON.
JOSEPH FENTON (1815-1846), the youngest child of Jeremiah Fenton, was born in Adams county, Ohio. He did not marry and died young. As a boy he was intensely active and was quicker to learn than any of liis brothers and sisters. He was of a nervous temperament and was a rapid eater and these causes produced dyspepsia; and lie eventually lost his mind. He was not sent away, but was kept in partial confinement at home. Be upset a stove with fire in it once and narrowly escaped being burned to death. lie destroyed the Fenton family Bible.
I CHAP TEN EO I TR TEEX
INTERESTING MISCELLANY OF THE LAWRENCE FAMILY, FAYETTE COUNTY TAX ROLLS, ETC.
' George
(wife Sarah)
William 177:5-18^4
(wife Patience 1807- 1868) John 1779-18^4
»hn Lawrence.. « (wf. Elizabeth 1781-1850)
Died .817 or 1S18 \ Samuel __ d 1820
I Kosannah 1700-104:;
Catherine Lawrence, wife. I (m. Jeremiah Fenton) Died between 181S-1822 f Catherine
(m. Ephraim Horner) Mary (m. Amos Frost)
The foregoing chart of the John Lawrence family is accurate so
far as it goes.
The following is a true copy of the will of John Law- rence, father of Rosannah Lawrence-Fenton :
"Will of Will Book Xo. 1, Volume 2, pag-e 925.
John Lawrence, Deceased.
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Lawrence, of Fayette County and State of Pennsylvania, being in perfect health of body and 01 perfect mind and memory thanks be unto God, calling into mind the mortality of my "body and knowing that it is appoint- ed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and First of all. I give and Recommend my sou! into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and as touching such worldly estate where- with it has pleased God to bless me with in this life. I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First, I give and bequeath unto Catharine, my dearly beloved wife, one-third of all my real estate and one-third oi all my moveable estate; also I give to my well beloved son-. William and John, one-half of all my lands, each one to pos- sess his part where they now live, that is to say my son, Wil Ham, his part which was called Fenton's Old Place, and my -mi. |ohn, his part which was called Reeve's Place: also to my
178 LAWRENCE MISCELLANY
sons, George and Samuel, I give and bequeath to them jointly the other half of my lands which is my home place to be be- tween them equally divided. My son, George, is to have and possess my house and is to build on his own expence on my son, Samuel's, place a good and sufficient lined two-story log house, two god floors, two (lores, one stone chimney and shingle ruff, the sise of said house shall be twenty-two by eighteen ; and to my daughters I give and bequeath unto them as follows, viz. : To my Daughter, Rosannah, I give unto her the sum of Eighty dollars and to my Daughter, Catharine, I give unto her the sum of eighty Dollars, and to my Daughter, Mary, I give unto her the sum of eighty dollars; my daughter legeses shall be raised out of my moveable estate and if my moveable estate will not pay sd. ligses the ballance wanted shall be paid by my sons, each one paying an equal part of sd. money. If the said movables do overrun the payment of the legacies to my daughters, the ballance shall be divided equal amongst my Sons; my Sons, William and John, I like- wise constitute, make and ordain the sole executors of this, my last will and Testament. I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, leg- acies, bequests and executors by me in any wise before made, ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14 day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine (T809).
(Signed) John Lawrence. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence < >f us :
William Miller, Elijah Staals."
(This will was probated March 10. ISIS, and letters is- sued March 19, ISIS.)
( 'Idic signature to said will is in the testator's own hand writing and is a fairly good hand. )
The following are two interesting letters from William
Lawrence to his sister, Rosannah Fenton:
January 4th 1819 [1818] Mr. Jeremiah Fenton my Dear Brother We are all shadows your mortal parent [John Lawrence] hath passed away and we pass away after him Ides ed be the author -1 Every good and Perfect (lift for the Shadow of his Eternal paternity Display-ed to us in our 1 )eceased parent wdiat was Good Loving and lovely in them is hid with Christ in God where we may Still Enjoy it I now Come to inform von that we are in a Reasonable state of health at present Except our aged mother which is poorley at this time she has a sick Spell Every Day or too Hoping: that these mav fin you and vours
LAWRENCE MISCELLANY 179
all well we have nothing in particular to write we had our vendue on the ninth of Aprile last we gave nine months Cred- it we Expect to have your money Ready By Spring' we want you to write us an answer as Soon as possible to let us know what kind of money to Collect for you we want you not to bevery particular a bout what kind to (collect') for you as it is a verry hard matter to get Good money at this time you must Expect to take Some kind of paper for Specie is out of the Question at this time as all the Banks have Stoped pay- ment I want you and Rhosanna to Come up in the Spring along with Samuel [his son] as I Expect he will be with you in a Short time he has been making some prepation for that but Set no Day as we no I want you to Select a Good wife from amongst your ohio Lasses as he Does not incline to get one here we heare from Amos Frost [husband of his sister Mary] a few Days ago they were all well at that time and are Doing well Ephraim Horner [husband of his sister Catherine] and family are well and are Living about a half a mile below us and has bought a saw mill from his Son inlaw Eli Chandler he has moved out to Stillwater ohio John and myself have had to small town out in the State of ohio we have Bought a Quar- ter Section of Land a piece and have it paid for and got our Deeds we Bought in Rich Land County five miles South of the town of mansfield we like the Country well I Dont Ex- pect to move out til I get more help we have three Girls and three Boys Matilda Mary and Harriett John William and Thornton 1 want you to Give us a Small history of the well fa;r of all our friends in Kentucky and Ohio particular from John Fenton T Here inclose you a Copy of the Last Will and testament of our Lather as I expect you would Like to Know how he Disposed of his little property
So I conclude my letter with Love to one and all of you this from us William and Patiance Lawrence to Jeremiah and Rho- sanna Fenton
(Address) To Mr. Jeremiah Fenton Adams County Westunion
(Postmark)
Brownsville Jany 8 Fayetta, Fayette County (Pa)
October 30, 1822 Dear friends T take this opportunity to inform you that we are all well at present hoping that these may find you all in the same state we have nothing strange at present we got Mr. Eylars letter about the 14 of Oct. stating the accident that happened you last June we expected some of you up this fall 1 would have wrote to you before now but money is very scarce in this county if you will send me a letter stating when you will be up T will try to have it ready for you we had our settlement on the 23 of July it appears each share was
ISO LAWRENCE MISCELLANY
30 dollars j~ cents subject to further expenses as the business is not settled up and there is something due yon for paster I cant tell von what as I have not had that part of the business to settle and a part of 6 acres of corn now on the -round we would like to by your share if you would sell at a fair price which is better than \il/2 acres our crops are very lite and money very scarce agreeable to the will there is something coming from George I sent you a copy of the will when 1 rote to you before I should be very glad to see you both in this county once more for I dont know that 1 ever shall get that far into your county I have been 3 times in your state twice at mansfield where my land lise 1 expect if ever I move there to come to see you we have 7 children 3 girls and 4 boys I want you to write how our friends in Kentucky are doing as we never get to hear from them we have had a very dry somer our crops of hay oats and corn are very lit I dont know that there could be a ton of hay bought at any price so no more at present but >till remain your loving friends
William and Patiance Lawrence To Jeremiah and Rhosanna Fenton
FAYETTE COUNTY TAX ROLL
181
Extracts From Assessment Property Roll of
Luzerne Township, Fayette County, now
on File in the Court House at
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
YEAR
OWNER
HOGS&PATTLE
No. Value
HORSES
No.
Value
LAND
Acres Value
Total Value
785 Jeremiah Finton . 785 John Lawrence 785 Michael Finton 785 Samuel Finton
787 Jeremiah Fenton . 7S7 Samuel Fenton 7S7 Michael Fenton. 787 John Lawrence _.
7SS Samuel Finton
788 Jeremiah Finton
788 Jeremiah Fin ton, ••Single'
7S8 Michael Fenton
789 Jeremiah Finton
7S9 Samuel Finton
7S9 Jeremiah Finton. "Single" 789 Michael Finton
791 Jeremiah Finton
791 Samuel Finton
791 Michael Finton
791 Jeremiah Finton. Jun'r
793 Jeremiah Fenton. Sr.__ 793 Jeremiah Fenton, Jun'r
793 Samuel Fenton
793 Michael Fenton
795 Jeremiah Fenton__ 3
795 Jeremiah Fenton 3 4 10 s
3
3
No
3 Na
£ 2
9 3 3
12
1 prope
med o n ta
4
£ 5
16
None ICO
200
6 None
6 None
None
10 200
12 8 named but as
£ 7
£56 5d. 8j cd
207
15
9
3 102
H
9
80
sessed
6
9 3°° x roll but no t assesse d anvth"
3 7
S
10
6
1 100 1 300
352
6
180
6
"7
4 12
13.5
10
On the 1795 tax roll and ther eat'ter Samuel & Michael Fenton's names
[are not foun d
796 Jeremiah Fenton, Sen. 796 Jeremiah Fenton, Jun.
1797 Jeremiah Fenton
$20. 3°-
So.
1 $ 60.
"Renter"
$ 20. 90.
180.
Here one of the Jeremiahs drop out. probably the senior.
On the 1799 tax roll and thereafter until 1S02 no Fenton name is found. The name of William Horner "pioneer" of our Homers is on these tax rolls from 17S5 to 1S29. No examination made as to John Lawrence after I7S7.
The above matter was carefully copied from the original tax rolls by the writer. The spelling of names is exactly as on said rolls.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The following is a chart of the Quaker branch of the New Jersey and Uncles county, Pennsylvania, Fentons. It was made by Hon. Warren S. Ely, professional genealogist, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, after several days of careful search of records and study of the subject. Mr. Ely thinks thai Jeremiah Fentou, father of our Jeremiah (1764), de- scended from Jeremiah (1691-1732) on the above chart, who was the first son of Eleazer Fenton, the pioneer, (1655- 1704), by his second wife, Elizabeth Stacy. He writes as follows: "1 have no doubt whatever that Jeremiah, Sr., on your (our) chart was a son or grandson of Jeremiah, of Burlington county, New Jersey, who died in IT^li, but fear there is no absolute proof."
CHART— QUAKER FENTONS
THE FENTONS IN NEW JERSEY; IN BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYL- VANIA, AND EARLY QUAKER FENTONS
Ephraim
b. in Bucks Co., Pa. m. 1736 Han- nah Pearson d. 174S
Mary
O O -J
Or- b <£ 'A
, H 1-4 to A3
fe = - - ~
tf § « ■« " .
pq x i? » =
W
- •••- ,g> -r
Fruits of
First Marriage Ephraim
Fenton
b. about 16S5 in Buck-; Co. Pa. Married 1710 to Mary Blackshaw. Died 1750.
Fruits of Second Marriage
Jeremiah
Fenton
b. in N. J. l
1691 : d. in N.J. I732; m a r r i e d Sarah •■- - Died with no will and no real es- tate. N o t h i n g
known as
to issue. Elizabeth
Fenton
b. N. J.
1693: d.
unmarried
i732-
Enoch
Kenton -
b. N. J. 1695 : d.N. J. 1732: m. Rachel French Eleazer Fenton b. N. J. d. unmarried 1728 1 Samuel Fenton b. N.J. d. x.j.
1 767 : m. — [Judith Fenton
Josiah
b. Bucks Co.,
Pa. m. 1739
to Sarah
d. 17S}
Eleazer
b. 1740 m. Margaret i Evans 1796 J d. 1S06 j Hannah
m. Wm. (iil- bert 1 70 1 lluldah
m. John [ones 1 796 Judith
died young [ Mary
died young I John, single 1790. Left that country Jane Eleazer
Ephraim, single 1 790. Left that country Judith [ Sarah I Randal
Ephraim <j
1S3
Ephraim
d. unmarriec Mary
Samuel
b. Bucks Co. Pa. m. Ur- sula Day d. i79r>
*Samuel Fenton
*Eleazer
*James
*Randall
*Ephraim
*Charles P."
Samuel Fenton
Ephraim
Jesse
"Randal
Elizabeth
William
Eleazer
d. N. J. 17S9 m. Elizabeth
— , 1755
Vashti m. Oba
diah Ireton
1754 Rachel Enoch
Patrick . . Mary m. Wm. Gilbert 177 2 Hannah, d. un- I
married 1833 Thomas, d. un- married 1829 j Martha, d. un- married 1S30 [Elizabeth m.
Jos. Rich j 1 lannah I m ) 1777. Jacob Shinn. Jr. -<J Eleazer ; John
Samuel i Elizabeth E. Kinton
*AU living in Montgomery county Pa., in 1833.
Thomas
Samuel Stacy m. Ab- igail Ivins Elizabeth
Sarah Mar\
1§4 NEW JERSEY FENTONS
NEW JERSEY FENTONS.
At the special request of the writer, Hon. Warren S. Ely made a special trip to Trenton, New Jersey, to look up the records of the New Jersey Fentons and after personal ex- amination of the early records there lias prepared the fol- lowing paper :
ELEAZER FENTON, an early settler in Springfield town- ship, Burlington County, New Jersey, died there, in 1704. Will dated December 16, 1702, probated' July 24, 1704. Liber of Wills in Office of Secretary of State, Trenton, N. J. No. T, p.
77- *\
Eleazer Fenton was one of the Proprietary's of West Jersey, and there was surveyed to him by Thomas Revel, Surveyor General. Sep. 30, 1680, 200 acres of land on the Assincunck Creek, adjoining Robert Stacy. Liber A. West Jersey Deeds, or Revel's Book of Surveys, p. 6.
On October 17, 1683, Eleazer Fenton conveyed to Nathaniel \\ est, 100 Acres of above survey in First Tenth, Liber, p. 35.
Mis share in the Lands of West Jersey was evidently 1-16 of a .Share.
On September 6, 1686, Eleazer Fenton, of Bird Creek, Bur- lington Co., conveyed to John Shinn a River Lot and House and Lot 011 Burlington Island, part of 1-16 Share, &c. Liber B., p. 197.
On February 10, 1683-4. Mahlon Stacy, of Falls of Delaware, Tanner, and George Hutchinson, of Sheffield, England, distil- ler, conveyed to Eleazer Fenton, of Neare Assincunck Creek, Burlington Co., Wrest Jersey, yeoman, 1-16 share in "ye First' Tenth — Marginal Note — "ye first and second divedent due on tin's deed are taken up; ye later 300 acres thereof by Warrt. dated Feb. 17, 1698." Liber B. Part 2, p. 511.
Deed dated March 22, 1683-4, Eleazer Fenton, of Springfield, near Burlington, to Daniel Leeds, his right and title in 2 Acres part oi 200 acres where he now dwells adjoining Grantee. I .iber P.. Part 2, p. 481.
Eleazer Fenton was a Quaker, but appears to have been married by License to Elizabeth Stacy, February 2, 1690, al- though their marriage also appears of record at Burlington Meeting.
She was probably a daughter of Henry Stacy, of Spitle- lields. Parish of Stepney, County Middlesex, England, Mer- chant, who came to New Jersey in 1678, but returned to En- land, died there as did his wife, Mary, thougdi the wills of both
NEW JERSEY FENTONS 185
are mentioned in New Jersey records. They had a son, Sam- uel, and daughters, Alary and Elizabeth.
It is claimed by some, however, that Elizabeth Fenton was a daughter of Robert of Hansforth, Yorkshire, who was a brother of Mahlon Stacy.
Elizabeth (Stacy) Fenton married, second, Samuel Gooldy, of Burlington, and died in 1708.
The will of Eleazer Fenton makes his wife. Elizabeth, sole heir and Executrix, mentions his children, but not by name.
On the death of Elizabeth in 1708, letters of Administration were granted on her estate to Samuel Gooldy and Daniel Leeds and they were appointed guardians of her children, as follows:
JEREMIAH FENTON, aged about 17 years,
Elizabeth Fenton, aged 13 years,
Enoch Fenton, aged about 14 years.
Eleazer Fenton was probably married before his marriage
to Elizabeth Stacy, and had a son, Ephraim Fenton, who came to Bucks County in 171 1, and died there about 1750, leaving sons Ephraim, Josiah and Samuel, and two grandsons named Eleazer, only the son, Josiah, has left male issue, but they are cpiite numerous, no Jeremiah in this line.
The family both in Bucks County, Pa., and New Jersey con- tinued to be Quakers, but the records of Burlington Meeting contain little mention of them. The record of the marriage of Hannah Fenton, daughter of Eleazer and granddaughter of Enoch, is recorded at Burlington, Nov. 6, 1777.
And Elizabeth Fenton is reported as "Marrying Out" in 175S '■ sne was probably the mother of Hannah, and wife of Eleazer.
There was a meeting at Springfield, where some of them may have belonged, but Enoch lived in the town of Burlington.
The Will of Eleazer Fenton mentions his home farm in Springfield and 300 acres bought of John Ogborne, adjoining Thomas Douglass.
JEREMIAH FENTON, eldest son of Eleazer and Elizabeth (Stacy) Fenton, born 1691 (about 17 years of age July 12, 1798, when he chooses guardian), died intestate and letters of administration were granted on his estate to his widow, Sarah Fenton, December 9, 1732, The Inventory of his estate made Dec. 1, 1732, by George French and Joseph YYoolston, his widow, Sarah, "being of the People called Quakers" qualified by affirmation.
He was living at the time of his death on a farm in North- ampton township, Burlington County, belonging to his broth- er, Enoch, who in his will dated May 16, 1732, provided that "llrother Jeremiah Fenton to enjoy and possess the plantation
J86 NEW JERSEY FENTONS
whereon he dwelleth for the term of nine years without rent and after the expiration of that term my executors shall rent the same until son Eleazer be of age." No record of children. See Will Hook 3. p. 226.
Eleazer Fenton, Jr., son of Eleazer and Elizabeth, died un- married in 1728. though his will indicates he was nearly mar- ried to Ann Bullock. The will dated March 28, 1728, and proved April 13. 1728, gives his residence as Springfield town- ship, Burlington County, New Jersey. It devises legacies to his two sisters. Elizabeth and Judith Fenton ; and brothers Enoch, Samuel and Jeremiah, but directs that the bulk of his estate go to "Friend Ann Bullock, daughter of John Bullock, includ- ing the proceeds of sale of a farm of 160 acres in Springfield; Titan Eeeds. Exr.
Enoch Fenton, the second son of Eleazer and Elizabeth (Stacy) Fenton, was ''about 14 years of age" July 16, 1708, when guardians were appointed for himself. h:s brother ami sister, and was therefore born in 1694. He married Rachel French, daughter of John French, Sr., of Northampton town- ship, Burlington County, as shown by her father's will dated Apr. [3, 172a and proven May 9, 1729; and by the will of her brother, John French, Jr.. dated March 28, 1729, proven May 10, 1729.
Fnoch Fenton was a butcher in Burlington when he made his will, dated May 16, 1732, probated September 2, 1732 ; the Inventory was made Aug. 31, 1732. by Silas Crispin and ( reo Eyre.
To youngest son, Enoch, is devised all Irs lands in Spring- field township, aggregating 350 acres, -ubject to payments to sisters Vesta and Rachel Fenton; to son Eleazer 100 acres in Northampton; to wife, Rachel, house and lot where he dwelt; my lirother Jeremiah to possess the farm in Northampton on which he resides for nine years, etc.
Estate I am to receive from John Finney and Mary, his wiie, under Articles of Agreement, including certain lands in Spring- field, to son Enoch ; my sister. Elizabeth Fenton, house and lot where -lie dwell- Eor life with three acres in Springfield; wife Rachel and friend Samuel Scattergood, of Burlington, Inn- keeper, Exrs.
'I he widow Rachel married Nathaniel Wilkinson, Dec. T.
'//b-
Deeds show that the estate acquired from Finney and de- d to Enoch was purchased by her and conveyed to her oth- er -'.n. Eleazer, Feb. 20, 1755: it was 158 acres in Springfield '■n \ssincunck ('reek. Enoch released his right therein to his brother, Eleazer, March 4, 1758, deed recorded in Fiber S.. page -'4. which recites the date of purchase by Rachel as Apr.
NEW JERSEY FEXTONS 187
12. 1733, before her marriage to Nathaniel Wilson, and the subsequent conveyance to Eleazer.
Enoch Fenton, as shown by deeds, had resided until 1727 in Springfield township. His -ens, Eleazer and Enoch, were minors at the date of his will.
ELEAZER FENTON, the son of Enoch and Rachel
1 French) Fenton, married Elizabeth ■, probably the
Elizabeth Fenton who was dealt with for marrying "out of unity'- at Burlington Meeting in 1755. As before referred to, his mother conveyed real estate to him in that year. 158 acres in Springfield, lie later removed to Piles Grove, Salem Coun- ty, Deed dated March 15, 1787, Liber AP, p. 104, Eleazer Fen- ton and Elizabeth, his wife, of Pile-- Grove, Salem County. Inn late of Springfield township. Burlington county, conveys to their sons, Samuel and Eleazer Fenton, the 158 acres in Spring- field conveyed to him by his mother and step-father, Nathaniel Y\ ilkinson and Rachel, his wife.
He seems, however, to have returned to Springfield:
Will of Lleazer Fenton, of Springfield, dated Nov. 8. 1789, proved Nov. 2y, 1789, clevises to son, Eleazer, 5 or 6 acres in Salem County, purchased of Robert Hubeson ;
To son, John Fenton, residue of land in Salem county, about 300 acres.
To son. Samuel Fenton, a bed, etc.;
To daughter, Hannah Shinn, wife of Jacob Shinn. Jr., who was married at Burlington Meeting. Nov. 6, 1777.) 100 pounds :
To daughter, Elizabeth Fenton;
To wife, Elizabeth, all residue of estate and she to sell at her discretion two tracts of land in Springfield bought of John Vestan.
The will of Elizabeth Fenton, widow of Eleazer. of Spring- field township, is dated Feb. 21, 1801, and was proved July 23, 1802; mentions son, Eleazer; daughter, Hannah Shinn ; daugh- ter, Elizabeth Elkinton, and her children, Fenton and Rebecca Elkinton ; daughter-in-law. Drusilla Fenton; granddaughter, Mary and Hannah, daughters of son, Eleazer; and Elizabeth Fenton, daughter of son. John.
Letters of Administration were granted March 8, 1750, on the estate of Enoch Fenton. late of Burlington County, Black- smith, to Robert Fenton.
(This could hardly be the brother of Eleazer, as he make- a iked to Eleazer in 1758. unless I have made a mistake in the latter date.)
There is also the will of a John Fenton, of Freehold, Mori mouth County. "Innholder," dated August 4, and proved ' >c tober 1, 1747, who does not fit into the above line, unless as a son of Jeremiah. It mentions son. Robert, daughter, Rachel Johnston, and makes wife. Mary, residuary legatee and Exrx.
188 NEW JERSEY FENTONS
SAMUEL FENTON, son of Eleazer, and Elizabeth (Stacy) Fenton, died in Chesterfield township, Burlington County; will dated January 9, 1762. proved September 28, 1767; "Lov- ing wife" mentioned several times, but not by name ; To son, Thomas, plantation in Chesterfield, where I live, for life, then to his eldest son, in default of sons to daughters, in default of issue to son Samuel ;
Son Stacy Fenton, land purchased of William Miller, he pay- ing to Ebenezer Large the indebtedness thereon and to Exrs. of Samuel Large ;
To son Samuel, land at Bordentown;
To daughters Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Elizabeth Fenton,
Son Thomas and Thomas Miller, Exrs. Proceedings show they were Quakers.
Will of Thomas Fenton, of Freehold, Monmouth County, dated March 4, 1777, proved May 24, 1777: Son-in-law John Story my lands if he pay incumbrance .thereon to Amarr'ah Morris, otherwise to be sold to pay same ;
Smith's tools and other personal estate to be sold, and pro- ceeds to son Lewis and daughters Anna and Sarah.
Letters of Guardianship were granted to Samuel Fenton November 14, 1797, on estates of John and Elizabeth Fenton, children. of John Fenton, deceased, of Salem County. (This was doubtless son of Eleazer and Elizabeth.)
A deed by the Sheriff of land belonging to estate of Stacy Fenton, late of Bordentown, deceased, dated April 26, 1783, shows that he had purchased lots in Bordentown, of Aaron Watson, April 8, 1775.
A (\a;d dated March 27, 1767, (Liber AG, p. 433), Stacy Fen- ton and Abigail, his wife, of Chesterfield township, shows that Abigail was the widow of Thomas Ivins, before her marriage to Stacy Fenton, prior to January 4, 1765. It conveys the land purchased by his father, Samuel Fenton, of William Miller, and the Exrs. of Samuel Large, September 26, 1750, and March 14, 1752. Samuel Fenton purchased 124 acres of the Exrs. of Samuel Large, who conveyed 84 acres, part of same tract, to William Miller, and the latter conveyed 78 acres to Thomas l\ins, and 5 '/> acres to Samuel Fenton. On December 21, 1764, Samuel conveyed to his son Stacy the 124 acres and by will, 1767, devised him the $y2 acres. Then the 78 acres were sold by the Sheriff as property of Thomas Ivins, deceased, and purchased by his widow Abigail, who later intermarried with Stacy Fenton, and on January 4, 1765, joined him in con- veyance to Jacob Lawrence, who same day conveyed to Stacy Fenton, thus passing the title to whole 208 acres of Large plan- tatii in t< 1 Staey Fenton.
Stacy Fenton could not have been a young man at this date (1767); his wife, Abigail, or at least her former husband, Thomas I \ ins, had a daughter, Sarah, wife of John Pancoast, who released their interest in the y^ acres to Stacy Fenton.
BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS 189
THE BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS.
Mr. Ely, who lives at Doylestown, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and who knows more of the history of that county than anyone else, has prepared the following sketch of the Bucks county Pentons. It will bo recalled that through Mr. John F. Fenton, of Oxford, Ohio, we have I he definite information that some of our Fentous came from Bucks county :
EPHRAIM FENTON, the pioneer of the family in Bucks County, came from New Jersey and was said to be a son of Eleazer Fenton, one of the Proprietors of West Jersey, who was a resident of Burlington County, New Jersey, as early as. 1680 and died there in 1704, by his first wife, whose maiden name was West.
Ephraim Fenton married about 1710, Mary Blackshaw, daughter of Randall and Alice (Burgis) Blackshaw, of Hoi1 lingee, County of Chester, England, who with their children, Phebe, Sarah, Jacob, Alary, Nehemiah, Martha and Abraham, embarked for America, September 5, 1682, in the ship "Sub- mission," which landed its passengers at Choptank, Mary- land, October 30, 1682, from whence the Blackshaws made their way overland to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where Randall was the purchaser of large tracts of land.
Ephraim and Mary (Blackshaw) Fenton settled in the ex- treme north corner of Buckingham township, on the lines of Plnmstead and Solebury townships on a 500-acre tract of land laid out to Randall Blackshaw. Ephraim later purchased the land lying westward of this tract which descended to his son-. The original tract was sold by him in his lifetime, lie died in 1750, leaving a will dated September 11, 1738, proved Decem- ber 24, 1750, in which he devises to his eldest son. Ephraim Fenton, 180 acres of land off the end of his plantation and the remainder of his estate to his other sons, Josiah and Samuel, they paying certain legacies to their mother, Mary Fenton, and their sister, Mary Fenton, who was a minor at the date of the will, and married prior to 1750, James Shaw, Jr., (1724- 1801).
Ephraim Fenton, the eldest son, died before his father, lei ters of administration on his estate being granted to his widow. Hannah Fenton, in 1748. He had married, by Xew Jersey Li- cense, dated April 12, 1736, Hannah Pearson, daughter of Law rence and Ann Pearson, of Plumstead, Bucks County, who were among the earliest Quaker settlers in Buckingham, re moving later to Plumstead near Point Pleasant, where Law rence died in 1756, at an advanced age and his widow, Ann. in 1760. Both their wills mention their daughter. Hannah Fen ton, and that of the latter a granddaughter, Mary Fenton.
190 BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS
Ephraim and Hannah ( Pearson) Fenton had children, Eleazer, I Inldah. who married John Jones in 1705, and Hannah, Eleazer married, second, late in life, or at least if married earlier had 110 children by first wife, lie married about 1796, Margaret 1 Brown) Evans, and had son, Ephraim, who died without is- sue, and daughter, Mary, who married Tench C. Kintzing.
Eleazer Fenton, married first at Buckingham Friends Meet- ing, November 22, 1709, Martha, widow of Stephen Wilson and daughter of William and Deborah Preston, hut had no issue by her.
Eleazer, son of Ephraim and grandson of Ephraim the first, was for many years proprietor of the old Cross Jeys Tavern in the west corner of Buckingham on the Doylestown township and Plumstead township lines. Ilis will dated April iS, 1806, was proven November 11, 1S06. Deeds of record show ab- solutely his connection with the pioneer above noted.
The Fentons were originally Friends, but through one cause or another most of them drifted out of the Society, like their cousins in Xew Jersey.
Josiah Fenton, second son of Ephraim, and Alary (Black- shaw) Fenton, was disowned from Buckingham Friends Meet- ing in [739, for being the father of two illegitimate children. In tlie same year his father, Ephraim Fenton, is dealt with for attending a "disorderly marriage at the house of Thomas I leed ;" that is, a marriage not authorized by the meeting. This was probably the marriage of Josiah, though Joseph Pearson. a brother-in-law of Ephraim, was charged with the same of- fense at the same date, but the date being three years after Ephraim's marriage, it could hardly apply to that.
The will of Josiah Fenton, of Buckingham, dated January [9> >7°% proved March 12, [783, mentions sons, John, Eleazer and Ephraim, to whom he devises his lands, Samuel Shaw and Eleazer Fenton to divide it between them. Eldest daughter, Jane Fenton, daughter Judith, youngest daughter Sarah, a minor. Son John and James Shaw, Exrs. All three of the sons sold their land in 1790 and apparently left the county; Eleazer, the youngest, was a minor in 1784.
Samuel Fenton, the youngest son of Ephraim and Mary (Blackshaw) Fenton, married prior to 1746, Ursula Day, daughter of Christopher Day, one of the earliest settlers 01 Plumstead township, just over the line of Buckingham, whose will dated September 1, 17-10, proved March 25, 1748-9, men- lions daughters Abigail Poe and Ursula Fenton. Abigail was the wile oi Patrick Poe, many years proprietor of the Tavern ai Brownsville, now Gardenville.
Samuel Fenton died intestate and on November 7, 1796, a petition was presented to the Orphans Court, setting forth thai he Kit sons, Randal, Ephraim, Patrick, Thomas, daugh- ters, Jiannah, Martha and Elizabeth, and a grandchild "sup he living in some part of North Carolina, or South
X ise<
BUCKS COUNTY FENTOXS 191
Carolina, whose name is unknown to the petitioners, but ac- cording to the best information obtainable is Lydia, being the only issue of Mary, daughter of the said Samuel Fenton, de- ceased, by her husband, William Gilbert, which said William and Mary both died in the lifetime of said Samuel Fenton. The name of this girl as shown by later records was Mary Gil- bert. According to the records of Buckingham Meeting Han- nah Fenton, was married to William Gilbert, of Buckingham, at Plumstead Meeting House. November 25, 1761. Witness signing "Eleazer Fenton." He may have married, first, Han- nah, daughter of Ephraim and Hannah (Pearson) Fenton, and second, her cousin, Mary. lie did not marry Hannah, daughter of Samuel, mentioned above, as she never married, and died at an advanced age in 1838. Her will mentions her brothers. Patrick and Ephraim, and the children of the former as Samuel. Ephraim. Jesse. Randall and Elizabeth. And of Ephraim as Samuel, Eleazer, James, Randal, Ephraim, Charles P. and Thomas, all of Montgomery Count}-. She also mentions her nephew, William Fenton. Esq., of Buckingham, and his wife, Mary. A daughter of this latter couple is still living in Buckingham at an advanced age. She it was that presented to the Bucks County Historical Society, the silk sash said to have been worn by Lord De-la-Warr, and had come down to her through the Fentons, as descendants of Lord Delaware, through the mother of Ephraim Fenton, first. Elizabeth or Mary West.
Randal Fenton, son of Samuel, died without issue and de- vised all his estate to his brother. Thomas, whom he named as executor.
Mary Fenton and William Gilbert were granted a marriage license, May 25, 1772.
As before stated, the three sons of Josiah Fenton. John. Ephraim and Eleazer. after dividing their father's land be- tween or amongst them, each sold their tracts at different dates during the vear 170,0. their mother, Sarah Fenton. joining in the deeds to clear the land of her dower. Nearly all this land was acquired by their uncle Samuel, and his sons, Randal. Pal rick. Ephraim and Thomas. The latter in earlier deeds being named as Tomson. At the death of their father. Samuel Pen- ton, in 1796, intestate, partition was had in the Orphans Court and the whole tract or tracts comprising about 250 acres was adjudged to Randal Fenton. and he soon after conveyed por tions to his brothers. Patrick. Ephraim and Thomas, finalhj making a deed to Thomas, vesting in the latter a one-half in- terest, with titles of survivorship, all the residue of -aid lands which he still held. He further made his will in [S07. pr March 26. 1829. by which he devised all his estate to Thomas. Thomas and Randal Fenton both died unmarried. Thomas, a- above shown, was seized of the greater part of the paternal real estate in Buckingham, and at his death in 1820. the same
192 BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS
year his brother Randall died, partition thereof was made in the Orphans Court on petition of Samuel Fenton, son of Eph- raim, December Term, 1829, which shows that his brother, Ephrajm, was deceased, leaving children, Samuel (the peti- tioner), Eleazer, James, William, Randal and Thomas; his second brother, Patrick, was still iving, as were his sisters, .Martha Fenton, ( who died in 1830, leaving will dated January, 1829, by which devised all her estate to her sister, Hannah, and made her brother, Thomas, Exr.), Hannah who died in 1838; that his sister, Mary, and her husband, William Gilbert, were deceased, leaving a daughter, Mary Gilbert, residing in North Carolina. The land was divided and adjudged to Pat- rick. Hannah and Samuel, the nephew.
Hannah Fenton survived all her brothers and sisters: her will was made in 1833, a codicil added in 1836, and proved August 25, 1838. At the date of her will, her nephews, Samuel, Eleazer, James, Randal, Charles P., Ephraim and Thomas i). Fenton, sons of her brother, Ephraim, deceased, were all resi- dents of Montgomery County; while Samuel, Ephraim, Jesse, Randal, William, and Elizabeth, the wife of William Rich, children of her brother, Patrick, were residents of Bucks. Ephraim, son of Patrick, had died before the date of the cod- icil.
Another Fenton family was founded in liucks County, in 1743, by Joseph Fenton, "of Brookland, Kings County, Prov- ince of New York, Weaver," as he is named in a deed dated May 12, 1743, by which Isaac Van Horn and Alice, his wife, convey to him 276 acres of land in Northampton township, P. ucks County.
lie married at about this date, (certainly prior to June 1, 1745, when she joins him in a mortgage on the 276 acres), Mary Shaw, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Watts) Shaw, of Northampton, and granddaughter of Stephen Watts. Joseph Fenton died early in 1782, the inventory of his estate being made May 27, 1782. His will dated February 8, 1782, proved .May 10. 1783, mentions his wife, Mary; grandchildren, Joseph, Tin imas, Mar; and Martha, representatives of his deceased son, "Thias ;" Joseph and Mary, representatives of his deceased son, Cornelius; and surviving children, Joseph, John, Benjamin Fenton, and Helena Kroesen. His widow, Mary, survived un- til April 27, 1789, dying at the residence of her son. Dr. Joseph Fenton, with whom she had resided since November 15, 1786, as shown by his settlement of her estate. On September 21, 1782, she joined with her sister, Rachel Shaw, in the convey- ance of real estate inherited by her father, Joseph Shaw, from her grandfather, John Shaw, of Northampton, D. B. 21, p. n.
Note—It is just possible that this Mary (Shaw) Fenton was the wile of Cornelius Fenton, son of Joseph and Mary. He, Cornelius, died intestate and letters were granted to His widow, Mary Fenton, April 8, 1782. On September 28, 1786,
BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS 19b
letters of Administration were granted on the estate of Mary Fenton, to Dr. Jos. Fenton, and in a petition to the Orphans Court ask for appointment of guardians for her two minor children, "the eldest not exceeding eight years of age."
The children of Joseph and Mary Fenton are named in his will above quoted.
Dr. Joseph was the eldest and is given a special legacy of
10 pounds for his birthright, lie married Hannah
and died in 1827. leaving only one child, Maria, wife of Joseph C. Whitall. He and his brothers, John and Cornelius, were members of Northampton Associated Company in 1775; and he was Surgeon of Col. Joseph Hart's Bucks Count}' Battalion in the Flying Camp, in 1770. though his name is given in the Pennsylvania Archives as "John Fenton, Jr.," instead of Jo- seph Fenton, Jr.; there was no John Fenton, Jr., who could have been more than a mere child at that date.
John Fenton, second son of Joseph and Mary Fenton, mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Richard Leedom, of Richboro, a promi- nent merchant and innkeeper. John Fenton was a member of the Associated Company of Northampton in 1775, on May 6, 1777, was commissioned Second Lieutenant of the Eighth Company, First Battalion, I Wicks County Militia, Captain Gawin Adams, First Lieutenant Garret Dungan. His name does not appear as an officer of the same company in 1780. I le wa .'. named as one of the executors of his father's will, and the real estate of his father being sold by the Sheriff, he purchased it, and after deeding a small portion thereof to his brother. Dr. Joseph Fenton, conveyed the residue to his father-in-law, Rich- ard Leedom. He purchased another tract in Northampton on which he 1'ved at the time of his decease, which he authorized his wife and her father, Richard Leedom. as Executors to sell, which they did. His will dated January 19, 1702, proved Feb- ruarv 14, 1793. directs that his sons. Joseph. John. Benjamin, Richard and [esse, be placed out to trades at suitable age. and mentions two daughters. Sarah and Mary. His son. Benja- min, died unmarried and letters of Administration were grant- ed to his brother. Richard, February 4, 1809. Richard married March 10, 1808, Elizabeth Feaster. Xo effort has been made to trace out the descendants of these children, as they are oi too late a date to be ancestors of the Virginia branch.
Cornelius Fenton, son of Joseph and Mary, died intestate and letter- were granted to his widow as above stated. April 8. 1782. They had two children. Joseph and Mary, "the eldest not exceeding 8 years of age," at the date of appointment of guardians for them on petition of their uncle. Dr. Joseph Fen ton, in 1787.
Matthias Fenton, son of Joseph and Mary, married at the Dutch Reformed Church of North and Southampton, Augusl 2,S- 1770, Rachel Harding, daughter of John Thomas Harding, of Northampton. They purchased the famous old Red Lion
194 BUCKS COUNTY FENTONS
Inn, in Bensalem in 1779, and both died there soon after leav- ing children, Joseph, Thomas, Mary and Martha. Letters were granted to his brothers, Joseph and John, October, 1781. On September 8, 1783. Abraham Duffield, who had a three- years lease of the inn. petitioned the Orphans Court, joined by the guardians of the Fenton minors, for a reduction of the rent, "being hard and ruinous owing to Peace taking place."
Helena Fenton, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Fenton, married March 21, 1765, Garret Kroesen, of Northampton.
Benjamin Fenton, son of Joseph and Mary Fenton, does not appear of record here other than in the will of his father. I ie evidently left this section and was probably the Benjamin Fen ton who married Ann Jackson in Frederick County, Virginia, in j 7<J5- I Note. — Mr. Ely is mistaken here. The Benjamin Fenton, husband of Ann Jackson, was a son of Enoch Fenton. — W. B. B."|
Who the Fenton was who married Ruth Wright in Freder- ick County, Virginia, in 1779, for which she was disowned (see abstracts of records of Hopewell .Monthly Meeting here- to attached), I am unable to determine.
Sidney Wright, a widow, of Solebury, Bucks County, mar- ried as second husband, Isaac Bickering, a widower, born 1716, died 1798. who by his first wife had several children, one of whom, Rachel, born 1752, married Solomon Wright, son of Sidney, by her first husband. Solomon Wright and Rachel Pickering were married at Buckingham Meeting of Friends, June 13, 1787. Hie will of his mother, Sidney Pickering, of Solebury, dated June 10, 1800, and proved June 24, 1812, makes her son, Solomon Wright, executor, and mentions children, John. James, Edward, Nathan and Solomon Wright; daugh- ters, RUTH FENTON, and Mary Adams; daughter-in-law, Rachel Wright, wife of Solomon.
Can it be possible that some of her sons and the daughLei, Ruth, had removed to Virginia prior to the marriage of Ruth to - — Fenton? I can find no Fenton in the Bucks
County families of suitable age or who left here earlv enough 1o have married in Virginia in T779, unless it was Benjamin, and lie seems to have married Ann Jackson.
The John Fenton who petitioned for membership nt Hope- well in 1704, might of course have been the son of Josiah, of Buckingham, but it would be rather singular if representatives o! three distinct families of Fenton were almost simultaneou - A to appear in that section, viz.: — - Fenton, who mar-
ried Ruth Wright in T779; John, who asked and became a member of Hopewell Meeting in 1794, and Benjamin, who married Ann Jackson in 1795. Or was John and the husband 1 'i Ruth the same?
HOPEWELL MEETING RECORDS 195
EARLY QUAKER FENTONS.
While Jeremiah Fenton (1764) was a Methodist, ir is known certainly that many of our very early Fentons were Quakers, or Friends, particularly those in Frederick and Loudoun counties, Virginia. Mr. Ely lias taken from the early church records the following informal ion:
TAKEN FROM HOPEWELL MONTHLY MEETING RECORDS, FREDERICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting- held 4th. Mo. 5th. 1779. the women Friends inform us that they want some assistance in drawing a Testimony against Ruth Fenton. Formerly \\ right, James Gawthrop is appointed to that service.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 5th. Mo. 3d. 1779. the Friends appointed to assist women Friends in drawing a Tes- timony against Ruth Fenton. produced one to this meeting, which was read and signed.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held nth. Mo. 5th. 1781. women's meeting informs this that Ruth Fenton requests to be joined in membership with Friends, Richard Ridgway and Isaac Brown are appointed to visit her in company with wom- en Friends.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 2d. Mo. 4th. 1782. the Friends appointed to unite with women Friends in visiting- Ruth Fenton, report they visited her. and are of the mind she is in a good degree sensible of her misconduct. She producing an acknowledgment as follows:
"Whereas I the subscribed having had my education ec made some profession of the truth as held and believed by the people called Quakers, but for want of giving heed to the dic- tates of Truth in my own heart, hath suffered myself to be guilty of Fonication with him that since that hath become my Husband, & also accomplished my marriage by the assist- ance of an hireling Teacher, for which I was justly disowned. for all which misconduct I am sorry, and desire that Friends would Pass it by and receive me again under their care, as my future conduct may render me worthy. Ruth Fenton.'
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 7th. Mo. 2d. 1792, Back Creek Preparative Meeting informs that Ruth Fenton re- quests for her children, viz.: Sarah. Oudney, Joseph, Mary and Joshua, be joined in membership with Friends, James Steer and Mordecia Walker are appointed 4.o visil them.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 8th. M 1. 6th. [792, Friends appointed on request <>i Ruth Fenton with respect t 1 her children, report they visited them, and think it best t 1 grant her request, with which this meeting concur-.
196 HOPEWELL MEETING RECORDS
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 9th. Mo. 29th. 1794. Back Creek Meeting informs that John Fentorj requests to be joined in membership with Friends, Win. McPherson. Win. Grubb and Abel Walker are appointed to visit him.
At lh.pewell Monthly Meeting held 1st. Mo. 5th. [795, the Friends appointed to visit John Fenton, to inform him, and lie being present is received into membership.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 2d Mo. [St. [796, the women Friends appointed in Ann Fenton's case report they visited her, and thought her not in a di position to make sat- isfaction.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 3d. Mo. 7th. [796, the Friends appointed produced a Testimony againsl Ann Fen ton, 1 formerly Jackson, who by not giving heed to Truth in her own heart, so far give way as to Intermarry with a man not in membership with us, by the assistance oi a hireling teacher. For which we disown her.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held [2th. Mo. 5th. 1S11, women Friends inform that Lydia Horsman, formerly Lupton, has accomplished her marriage with her first cousin. John Fenton and Jonathan Pickering are appointed to draw a tes timi my against her.
At Hopewell .Monthly Meeting held 10th. Mo. 7th. [816, women's meeting informs that Mary Flowers, formerly Fen- ton, has accomplished her marriage contrary to discipline, and is desirous to retain her right in membership. John Wrighl and Edward Wilker are appointed to unite with women Friends to visit her.
At Hopewell Monthly Meet'ng held [2th. Mo. 5th. [816, Mary Flowers produced an acknowledgment which was ac- cepted.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 2d. Mo. 4th. ['820, Hope- well Preparative Meeting informs Joshua Jackson Fenton re quests to be joined in membership with Friends, Richard George and. Mordecai Taylor are appointed to visit him.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 9th. Mo. 7th. 1820, the committee appointed on the occasion, report they visited Joshua Jackson Fenton, and it was their judgment there was a good degree of sincerity in him. and were free that his re- qu< st might lie granted, which was concurred with.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 7th. Mo. 10th. 1823, women's meeting informs that Ann Fenton requests to be re- instated in membership and they have visited her and are free that her request be granted, which after consideration the meeting was willing that she be encouraged to make an offer- ing oi ackm iwledgment.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 8th. Mo. 7th. 1823. Ann Fen1 in produced the following acknowledgment, winch was received as satisfaction and she is reinstated in membership, i Acknowledgment not given.) From marriage certifica'es,
HOPEWELL MEETING RECORDS 197
William Tate, of Goose Creek, Loudon Co., Ya., son of Levi and Elizabeth Tate, and Priscilla Fenton, daughter of Benja- min and Ann Fenton, of Frederick Co., Ya., were married ioth. Mo. 15th. 1823, at Ridge Meeting House.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 4th. Mo. ioth. 1828, this meeting received a certificate from Fairfax Monthly Meeting dated 13th. of 2d. Mo. last for Joseph Fenton and Mary, his wife, with their children. Joseph S. Fenton, which was ac- cepted.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES.
Josiah J. Fenton, of the town of Gainsborough, Frederick Co., Ya.. son of Benjamin and Ann Fenton. (deceased), and Mary Lovett, daughter of Benjamin and Ann Lovett, (the Eormer deceased), were married nth. Mo. 12th. 1833, at Hope- well Meeting House.
At Hopewell Meeting held 7th. Mo. 8th. 1841. this meeting informs that Benjamin Fenton requests to be taken into mem- bership with Friends, which request was granted.
At Hopewell Monthly Meeting held 5th. Mo. 6th. 1847. this meeting appoints Hugh Sidwell, Thomas Wright. Samuel Brown, Jesse Wood, David Walker, Joel Lupton and John Fenton elders of the meeting.
At Fairfax Monthly Meeting held 3d. Mo. 12th. 1823. the Preparative Meeting informs that John Fenton has made ap- plication to come under the care of Friends.
At meeting held 8th. Mo. ioth. his request was granted.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES OF FAIRFAX MONTHLY
MEETING.
John Fenton. of Loudon Co., Ya.. son of Benjamin and Ann Fenton, and Mar}- Steer, daughter of Joseph Steer, of Loudon Co., Ya.. were married 9th. Mo. 28th. 1825. at Fairfax Meet- ing Flouse.
At Fairfax Monthly Meeting held 1st. Mo. 28th. 1828. John Fenton and his wife. Mary, and son, Joseph, were granted' certificates to Hopewell.
In order to get anything out of the foregoing extracts from the Frederick county, Virginia, church records ir will \h> necessary again to refer to Enoch Fenton. It is well known that Jeremiah Fenton, Si-., (father of Jeremiah, 1704 i, had a (dose relation; tradition says lit- was a broth- er, in Frederick county, Virginia, of the name of Enoch Fenton. The official records of Frederick county disclose a great deal of information as to one Enoch Fenton.
198
ENOCH FENTON
On August 11, 1774, for 5 shillings, and on Augusl 11*, 1774, for 20 shillings, Darby Reagan conveyed land to Enoch Fenton. On April iM>, 1780, Mordecai Walker deed- ed land to Enoch Fenton for 5 shillings. At the limes of all of these transfers of land Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., and Jeremiah, Jr., lived in Frederick county.
Enoch Fenton's will dated March 23, 1789, was proven April 2, 1805. He left lands, negroes, money. From the contents of said will and olher Frederick County Court House records, the following char! of the Enoch Fenton
family is made: I Mary '"• Rich'd Flowers
i Rachel in. A.bel Jackson,
( )ct . ii, 1S15 (1 795-1867)
1 Ruth 111. Win. Pickering
I John ^ Joseph m. Eleanor —
Will proved Sidney (dau.) m. Benja-
Feb. 1. 1836 niiii Daniel
Sarah m. Davis I James
Enoch Fenton
Died about 1805. Will allowed April .:. 1805 Wife. Sarah 1 [annah : will proved Feb. .2S.
lS2s
Joseph Will proved Feb. 4. 1833, witnessed by John and Enoch
Fenton
James John
'Das id Joseph
Sarah Ann I Mary Jane
Josiah Jackson John 111. Mary Steere Benjamin [ Benjamin
m. Ann Jackson Jan. 13, 1795 Will proved Oct.
3= 1831
Enoch Rebeckah ^Daughter, name un- known
Enoch
[ Priscilla m.Tate, Loudoun County
Sarah
Comparing the names, etc., on the Enoch Fenton charl with the names and other information in the Friends' Church records it will he seen that every Fenton name, ex- cept Ruth, on the church records given is found on the Enoch Fenton chart.
1 1 is also interest ing to note that while two sons of Enoch Fenton, aamely, Joseph and John Fenton, were Quakers, another son, Benjamin, was not a Quaker, as appears from the fact that Ann Jackson came to much grief in the Friends' Church for marrying "a man ( Benjamin Fenton) noi in membership with us" (them). Thus the tradition handed down in our own family that some of our Fentons were Quakers or Friends and some not is proved to be a fact bv the records.
CONNECTION BETWEEN NEW JERSEY FENTONS
AND BUCKS COUNTY, PA., FENTONS WITH
FREDERICK COUNTY, VA, FENTONS.
The writer cannot say with absolute certainty that the descendants of Jeremiah Fenton are connected by blood relation with the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Fentons of Mr. Ely's chart, but he believes they are and so does Mr. Ely. We know that Jeremiah Fenton, Sr., prior to settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in about 1784, lived in Frederick county, Virginia, near Winchester, on Apple Pie Ridge. We know he was related to Enoch Fenton, who also lived on Apple Pie Ridge. We also know that the Enoch Fenton whose will and descendants are referred to in this chapter lived on Apple Pie Ridge and that his descendants were part Quakers and part Methodists as our Fentons were. Indeed the very name of the meeting house where I lie early Fentons worshipped in Frederick county, Vir- ginia, and in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, is the same — "Hopewell." And being the only Enoch Fenton of record in that county at that time, we believe he is the same as the Enoch Fenton to whom Ave are related. We know some of our Fentons came from Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and that the Bucks county Fentons came originally from New Jersey. We, know that many of the family surnames of the descendants of Jeremiah are the same as those on the Enoch Fenton chart and the same as those on the Ely chart. Here ace a few found on all three or on two of the three charts: Jeremiah, Samuel, Enoch, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary.
Some time one of our kin with the t ime, money and incli- nation may investigate further and close up the gaps. With the material now at hand this should not be difficult. Frequently the line can he traced by the aid of the name of the spouse of an ancestor, and this can often be ascertained by a careful examination of the deed, will and other pro- bate records. The writer hopes this may be done and also that some one may then trace the family lineage on back to England.
199
Private Family Register
OF
Births, Marriages, Deaths
BIRTHS
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Fall Name |
Date and Place of Birth |
Date of Baptism and Church |
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• |
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- |
MARRIAGES
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Date & Place of Marriage |
Names of Bride and Groom |
Name of Minister |
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1 |
DEATHS
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Full Name |
Date and Place |
Place of Burial |
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1 |
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APPENDIX.
The following communication respecting other Fentons from Hon. Win. I). Fenton, a very prominenl lawyer, of Portland, Oregon, will be of interest and may, someday, lie]]) to connect our Fentons with his family.
Portland. Oregon, May 21, 1908. Mr. William R. Brown, 403 Clapp Block,
Des Moines, Iowa. Dear Sir : — ■
I have delayed replying to your letter of February 17th un- til 1 could gather together such facts as are within our family knowledge here. On March Mjth I received a letter from Lucien J. Fenton. of Winchester, Ohio, and 1 am sending to him a copy of this letter to you.
As I understand it, the Fentons were an ancient family 01 England. William de Fenton was Constable of Newcastle in 1255 in the reign of Richard 1 1. The families lived in Stafford- shire and Nottinghamshire. The tradition of our family is that they came from England when my great-gran dfatfier, Caleb Fenton, was a youth, with his father, mother and two broth- ers; the father was English, and the mother Welsh. We have the name of one brother, Joshua, but have lacked the name of the other brother, who tradition says located in Pennsylvania. It is the belief that Joshua was the oldest of the three. lie was in the Revolution, and was promoted from Ensign to Lieu- tenant. June 15, 1779, in the Massachusetts Bay Regiment.
Caleb Fenton, my great-grandfather, could not enter the regular service, as he had lost one eye by an arrow, and could only do sentry duty. The tradition is that they were separated at the battle of Brandywine in 1777, and that Caleb Fenton went to Virginia, where he lived, and married Lovey Etheridge, the daughter of Joseph Etheridge, who was French. They moved from Virginia to Maysville, Ma- son count}-, Kentucky, date not known, and in 1820 they moved to Missouri, where Caleb Fenton died, February 20, [840. Their son, James E. Fenton, was born in Virginia, March 2, [798, and died at Carthage. Jasper count}', Missouri, February 20, [861. James E. Fenton was married to Susan I licks in Boone count}', Missouri, in the year 1822. Their son, James Davis Fenton, my father, was born in Missouri, March 29, [832, and died in Yamhill county, Oregon, February 8, [886. James Davis Fenton. my father, and Margaret Pinker- ion, my mother, were married October 16, 1851.
I he family tree of my immediate famdy, commencing with my ,-reat -ram! father, Caleb Fenton, is as follows:
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fjane E.
Caleb R. f William David Harriet Amanda Amanda Francis
Martha James Edward
f Caleb. ]r. i Telitha Francis Washing'n
Caleb rentOIl James E. ._ *j James Davis .. J Jefferson Davis
and Lovey |' wf., Susan Hicks | wife, Margaret ' Henry Lee
Etheridge . j Phoebe Pinkerton | Charles Robert
I Nancy John 11. , Mathew Fountain
| Love'v | William 11. ! Eli Hicks
[Joel ' [Eliza [Mary Margaret
Caleb Fenton and Jane Boyer, (second wife ) ..
\ Joshua
/ Andrew
Enclosed in the letter of Lucien J. Fenton referred to, was an extract from the "Life of Richard Fenton," by his grand- son, Ferrar Fenton, in which 1 was very much interested, and I am writing to Lucien J. Fenton requesting him to procure a copy of this work. Ferrar Fenton resides at Xo. 8 King's Road, Metcham, S. E., and is the author of the "Life of Rich- ard Fenton," and the "Life of John Fenton." lie was burn in Lincolnshire, in 1832.
In the book entitled "Who's Who," 1906. published in Lon- don, I m dice the names of Henry John Horstman Fenton, 19 Brookside, Cambridge, born in Cambridge, 1854, University Lecturer in Chemistry, Cambridge; also the name of Sir Myles Fenton, born September 5, 1830, residing at Redstone Hall, Redhill, Surrey. In the American Edition of this work, I no- tice the name of Hector Tyndale Fenton, 502 Commonwealth Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born August 6, 1850, residence No. 3312 Spring Garden street, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and I shall send him a copy of this letter, with the request that he give me any information which he may be able to furnish along the lines of our common ancestry. \ do not believe there is a family of Fentons in America but what orig- inally sprung from the common source indicated. My family are all of dark complexion, the men large and tall, all black- eyed; so far as I know, the women large and dark-eyed; they incline in later years to overweight. I am myself six feet in height, and weigh 204 pounds. My father was about the same height; he died February 8, 1880, in his fifty-fourth year, and he had weighed as high as 2<)X pounds. My brothers^and sisters are all living, execept one brother. Charles Robert hen- tun, who died at Spokane, Washington. October 22. [893, in his twenty-ninth year.
The only living cousin of my father that I know of, Caleb Fenton, resides at Bloomfield. Iowa, a man about seventy years of age. who visited me a year ago, and who has a better recol lection of the family history in Missouri than any other man of the name living'. My uncle, \Y. II. Fenton, my father's brother, lives at Salem, Oregon, and is not far from seventy vears of age. All of my father's brothers and sisters, 1 think.
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arc dead, with the exception of this brother and John I I. Fen- ton, supposed to be living at Leavenworth, Kansas.
I have not been able to locate the family in Virginia, where my grandfather, James E. Fenton, was .born, but 1 am in- clined to think that he must have been born in Frederick county, Virginia, and was probably a near relative of Jeremiah Fenton, the grandfather of Lncien J. Fenton, who was born in Frederick county, Virginia, in 1764.
I enclose the list of questions, with such answers as 1 am aide to give, and I believe I have now given you all the infor- mation within my knowledge, and 1 await with a great deal 01" interest your book, which Lucien J. Fenton tells me you ex- pect to publish.
With kind personal regards, I remain,
Very truly yours, Encl. Win. D. Fenton.
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