Rev. John E. FENTON is of English descent, and the son of Eleazer FENTON, a native Virginian, and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Elizabeth ENGLEMAN, of Virginia, and in 1810 they moved to Floyd County, Ind., but finally settled in Warren County, Ind, where Mr. Fenton owned 320 acres of land. Their union was blessed by the birth of the following children, all of whom grew up and were married: Enoch; Frederick, Joseph, John E., Mary, Dolly Ann and Daniel. Mr. Fenton passed his last days on his farm in Warren County, Ind., and died at the age of fifty-six years. He was a good man, and both himself and wife were worthy members of the United Brethren Church. In his politics he was a Democrat, and was in the Black Hawk War. He was a man who led an honorable, upright life, and was well respected. His son, John E. Fenton, was born in Floyd County, Ind., in 1818, and attained his growth on the farm, receiving a common-school education, to which, he has since added by reading and study. Mr. Fenton united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of sixteen years, and at the age of thirty he became a local minister, preaching with general acceptance to all for twenty-two years in Indiana. He married Miss Sarah ODLE, daughter of William and Elizabeth ODLE, and to them were born thirteen children, nine of whom are now living: William, John W., Thomas J., Mary, Joseph W., Worthington F., Mattie, Oliver S. and Daniel M. Mr. Fenton lived in Warren and Benton Counties, Ind., where he owned land, until 1870, when he moved to Lawrence County, Mo., and settled near Mount Vernon, where he purchased 500 acres of land. This he has divided among his children. Mrs. Fenton died January 10, 1864, and Mr. Fenton married Mrs. Martha L. TORRENCE, a widow, and the daughter of Joel and Calorina (ARNOLD) BOOTH. The Booths and Arnolds were of English descent, and settled among the pioneers of Connecticut. They were Puritans. By his last marriage Mr. Fenton became the father of four children: Ellery C., Benton R., Nola and Lawrence E. Mr. Fenton is a prosperous farmer, but has now retired from active work on the farm, although he still continues to preach. He is an excellent citizen, and has always lived a moral and upright life. He is a man of strong convictions, and a lover of honesty and truth. His children are settled around him, having been assisted to start in life by their father. Mr. Fenton is a Democrat in his political views.
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John Wesley FENTON, liveryman, is a native of Benton County, Ind., born
October 2, 1844. His parents, John E. and Sarah Ann (ODELL) FENTON, were natives of Indiana, and the father was a successful tiller of the soil. Their son, John Wesley Fenton, was reared in his native State, and at the breaking out of the late war he donned his suit of blue, shouldered his musket and enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Volunteer Infantry, United States Army, and served in the one hundred days' service. After the war he returned to his home in Indiana, and followed agricultural pursuits in this State, until 1870, when his parents sold out and moved to Lawrence County, locating at Mount Vernon, where J. W. Fenton engaged in the livery business. He afterward sold out, and was for some time engaged in the grocery business, but later abandoned this, and in 1885 purchased his present livery business, which he has conducted in a successful manner ever since. While living, in his native State he married Miss Mary
BOYINGTON, who was also a native of Benton County, Ind. To this marriage were born two sons and three daughters: Gertie, Lena, Maudie, Freddie D. and Walter B. While living in Indiana Mr. Fenton was road overseer, and is a man respected and esteemed by all who know him. Mrs. Fenton is a member of the Christian Church.
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