Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2012, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page 178 WILLIAM MATTHEW FENTON William Matthew Fenton was born in Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., on the 19th of December, 1808. In 1826, while yet scarcely more than a boy, he graduated at Hamilton College, at the head of his class. In less than a year from his graduation he sailed from Charleston, S. C., as a common sailor. Four years later, when he decided to leave the seafaring life, he was first mate of a merchantman, and was offered the captaincy of a similar vessel, which position he declined. In April, 1835, he married a daughter of Judge James Birdsall, of Norwich, N. Y., and in July of the same year settled at Pontiac, Oakland Co., where he engaged in mercantile business with Robert Le Roy, Esq. In April, 1837, he removed to Genesee County, and settled in the village (then Dibbleville) which afterwards took his name. There he was first engaged in mercantile pursuits, milling, and real-estate transactions, but soon commenced preparation for the practice of the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. In 1844 he was the Democratic candidate for Representative in the State Legislature, but was defeated by the opposing candidate. In 1846 he was elected to the State Senate for the district composing the counties of Genesee, Oakland, Macomb, and Livingston. While in the Legislature, he was active in securing the establishment of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, and its location in Flint. In 1848 he was elected lieutenant-governor of the State, and was re-elected to the same office in 1850. In 1852, having removed to Flint, he was appointed by President Pierce register of the land-office at that place, and held the position until the removal of the office to Saginaw. In the year 1856 he traveled with his family to Europe, and in 1858 was elected mayor of Flint, in which position his ability and good judgement did much for the good of the city and for all the public interests represented. When the great war of the Rebellion broke out, the voice of Mr. Fenton was raised for his country above the din of party discord. He had been, and was, a Democrat, but he was also more than Democrat, or Republican,--he was a patriot; and he instinctively dropped all considerations of party, and offered his services to his country in a way that proved his devotion most conclusively. When the first Michigan troops were called to organize for the field, he telegraphed to Governor Blair that five thousand dollars of his private means was at the disposal of the State for the equipment of the forces. Early in 1861 he was made major of the 7th Michigan Infantry; but before being mustered in with that rank he was commissioned by Governor Blair colonel of the 8th Infantry. Col. Fenton possessed extraordinary organizing and executive ability, and entered upon his work with such zeal and energy as to inspire every officer and private in the regiment with a similar spirit, and to cause the 8th to be organized, drilled, equipped, and led to the front with remarkable celebrity. Of Col. Fenton's distinguished services as commander of the regiment, and of the brigade of which it formed a part, a more extended account is given with the history of the heroic 8th, to be found elsewhere in this volume. After two years of incessant service in the field, Col. Fenton was obligated to resign his commission on account of his ill health. On his return home he became the Democratic candidate for Governor, but that party was too much in the minority in Michigan to make his election possible. He then devoted himself to his profession, and to the details of his private business, among the enterprises of the latter being the erection of the block of stores and public hall which still bear his name in the city of Flint. In the ========================================================================== Page 179 organization of the city government, Col. Fenton was chosen chief engineer of the Flint Fire Department, and his zeal in the performance of the duties of that office caused his death, on the 12th of November, 1871. On the previous night he was summoned by an alarm of fire, and, in his haste, he ran against a post with such force as produced fatal internal injuries. "This event cast a gloom over the entire city. Resolutions expressive of the great sorrow felt by the community were adopted at a public meeting of citizens. Similar resolutions were adopted by the members of the bar, the common council of Flint, the fire department, and the Knights Templar Commandery, of which he was a member. On the day of his funeral most of the business places in Flint were closed, and nearly all of them draped in mourning. He was a ripe scholar, and able lawyer, and a wise counselor. The elements of true manhood were combined in his character in such nearly perfect proportions that, as a man, a neighbor, friend, and Christian gentleman, he won the entire confidence of his fellow-citizens." He left a family of four children. His wife, his beloved companion during more than thirty years of married life, had died three years before him. ==========================================================================