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William T Fenton

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Birth	:	2 Oct 1872 Dawson, Richardson County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	1939
Burial	:	Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Lincoln, Lancaster County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.8119011, -96.6639023
Description	:	With much appreciation to Find A Grave contributor K Ahroon #47781598, for so generously and kindly providing the following information and the outstanding picture of Mr. Fenton. Taken from the Biographical Sketch of William T. Fenton in The History of Richardson County: Nebraska has been especially fortunate in the character and career of her public men. In every section have been found men born to leadership, men who have been able successfully to discharge the duties of official position because of their sterling qualities and force of character. It is profitable to study such lives, weigh their motives and hold... Read More	With much appreciation to Find A Grave contributor K Ahroon #47781598, for so generously and kindly providing the following information and the outstanding picture of Mr. Fenton. Taken from the Biographical Sketch of William T. Fenton in The History of Richardson County: Nebraska has been especially fortunate in the character and career of her public men. In every section have been found men born to leadership, men who have been able successfully to discharge the duties of official position because of their sterling qualities and force of character. It is profitable to study such lives, weigh their motives and hold up the achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career of William T. Fenton, ex-sheriff of Richardson county and the present warden of the Nebraska State Penitentiary at Lincoln. Mr. Fenton was born in this county on October 2, 1872, a scion of an honored old pioneer family of this section of the state, being a son of Jerry and Catherine (Calnan) Fenton. The father was born in Ireland in 1830 and there spent his boyhood, immigrating to America when seventeen years old, being accompanied by his mother, four brothers and one sister. The family located at Richmond, Virginia, where they remained until in the sixties when they came to Nebraska, locating on a farm near Dawson in Richardson County. Jerry Fenton and Catherine Calnan were married before leaving Virginia, prior to the breaking out of the Civil War. He developed a good farm in Richardson County through close application and perseverance and established a comfortable home here. He continued general farming and stock raising successfully on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres until about five years prior to his death. He died in 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was an influential man in his community and helped organize nearly all the schools of the Dawson neighborhood. He was active in the Catholic church and was the only trustee of the church in his vicinity. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, the date of her birth being 1838. She came to Virginia with her parents when seven years old. To Jerry and Catherine Fenton twelve children were born, five of whom are deceased; those living at this writing being as follows: Mrs. Mary S. Kane of Dawson; Mrs. Ella Riley, also of Dawson, Thomas F., who lives at Reedley, California; Robert E., who lives at Haddam, Kansas, Mrs. Catherine Carr; Mrs. Nora Ryan, who makes her home at Dawson, and William T., the subject of this review. No doubt one of the potent contributing causes of the success and popularity of William T. Fenton has been his Celtic blood, for people of his strain are everywhere noted for their courage, fortitude, perseverance and pleasing personal traits. He grew to manhood on the home farm in Richardson County, where he assisted his father with the general work during crop seasons, when he became of proper age. In the winter time he attended the district schools. He remained at home until 1894, when he went to California and worked for a fruit company two years. He then returned to Nebraska and for two years operated a hardware and implement store in the village of Dawson, then sold out and engaged in general farming and stock raising, with very gratifying results, near there until 1906. In that year he was elected sheriff of Richardson County on the Democratic ticket, and he continued to discharge the duties of the office in a faithful, able and highly accaptable manner until 1913, when he resigned in order to assume the office of warden of the state penitentiary at Lincoln, in January of that year, having been appointed to this responsible position by Governor Morehead. He had made his home in Falls city for seven years, but early in 1913 moved to the city of Lincoln, where he has since resided, and has given eminent satisfaction to all concerned as warden. He understands his work thoroughly and has instituted many reforms and has everything about the prison under a superb system; in fact, it is said to be one of the best managed penitentiaries in the United States. Since he took charge he has kept the grounds and buildings in good repair and everything is in ship-shape at all times. He has established a large greenhouse and he has done much to better the general conditions of the prisoners. He is a man of tact, executive ability, prudence and caution; kind, but firm, and is always faithful in seeing that the laws and rules of the institution are strictly obeyed. He is popular with all his associates and is evidently the right man in the right place. Mr. Fenton, in partnership with ex-Governor Morehead, owns a fine farm in Lancaster County, Nebraska, of two hundred and eighty acres. At one time he and his brother, the late Jerry P. Fenton, owned five drug stores in the city of Omaha. On April 9, 1902, Mr. Fenton was married to Vinnette M. Colman, who was born at Falls City, where she grew to womanhood and was educated, being graduated from the high school there, and taught school for some time at Falls City and at Dawson prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Ryan) Colman, who were early settlers in Richardson County. Mr. Colman, a veteran of the Civil War, was a harnessmaker by trade. His death occurred in Falls City in 1876 and his widow is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Fenton. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fenton, namely: Helen Ruth, born in 1903; and Bryan, 1905. Mr. Fenton is a Democrat and has long been an influential worker in his party, as was also his father. The latter was elected representative to the Legislature from Richardson County in the early days here. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Highlanders, the ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Catholic Church. Note From the Knights of Columbus: William T. Fenton (b. 1872) — of Richardson County, Neb.; Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Dawson, Richardson County, Neb., October 2, 1872. Son of Jeremiah Fenton and Catherine (Calnon) Fenton; married, April 9, 1903, to Vinnette M. Coleman. Democrat. Richardson County Sheriff, 1907-13; warden, Nebraska State Prison, 1913; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1924. Catholic. Member, Knights of Columbus; Modern Woodmen of America

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William T Fenton's memorial?
William T Fenton's memorial is located at: Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Lincoln, Lancaster County, USA.
When did William T Fenton death?
William T Fenton death on 1939 in
Where are the coordinates of the William T Fenton's memorial?
Latitude: 40.8119011
Longitude: -96.6639023

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Vinnette M Coleman Fenton

(1872 - 1946)

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

Robert E Fenton

(1871 - 1953)

Children

Helen Ruth Holmes

(1903 - 1995)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

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Coordinate: 40.8175011, -96.6647034

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7. Westminster Presbyterian Church Columbarium
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13. College View Cemetery
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14. Mount Carmel Cemetery
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15. Saint Davids Episcopal Church Columbarium
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16. Fairview Cemetery
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17. Nebraska State Penitentiary Cemetery
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18. Saint Marks United Methodist Church Columbarium
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19. Lincoln Regional Center Haines Branch Cemetery
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20. Lincoln Regional Center Calvert Street Cemetery
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21. Sheridan Lutheran Church Columbarium
Lincoln, Lancaster County, USA
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22. Teachman Graveyard
Lincoln, Lancaster County, USA
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23. Yankee Hill Cemetery
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24. Lincoln Memorial Park
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