Joseph Fenton was born in Burlington NJ, September 12 1794 and came to WHiteside COunty in October 1835, settling upon the farm in Fenton Township where his widow and a part of his family still reside. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Durrell, at Burlington City, NJ in April 1826. The children of this marriage have been; Elwood W born Jan 23 1827; Joseph R March 27 1829; Elizabeth H Jul 9 1831; John D Nov 10 1832; Robert S Oct 6 1834; Alfred W May 13 1837; Mary E Dec 18 1839; Sylvester H Aug 27 1841; Henry C Jul 3 1845. The only death in the family has been that of Elizabeth H which occurred at the old home in NJ on the 25th of Jul 1833. Elwood W married Annette E Wonser, and lives at Amidore CA; Joseph R lives at Oakland CA and married since his settlement there; John D married Marcia Wonser and lives at Erie; Robert S married Josei Cross and lives at Fenton; Alfred W is unmarried, and lives at Erie; Mary E marreid Elson Medhurst and lives in Fenton, Sylvester H married Amanda Medhurst and lives at Alphage, Henry county IL; and Henry C married Amanda Smith and lives at Erie. Mr Fenton was the earliest settler in what is now known as Fenton township, and one of the earliest in Whiteside County. With the pioneers he suffered all the privations incident to a new and unsettled country, and with them grappled with all the obstacles i nthe way with an energy and perserverance born of a conquering will. Men of less determination than our pioneers might have given up in despair, and gone back to the homes where they were reared, but not so with them. They had come to remain, and with that view set themselves resolutely at work to overcome all obstacles. Many of them became affluent in worldly circumstances and amont these was Mr. Fenton. Those who knew Mr. Fenton in his lifetime speak of him as a man of strict integrity, sound judgment, great industry, and of a peculiarly kind and obliging disposition. He was averse to holding public positions, and only accepted some of the minor offices of the township. His great delight was his home. He died on the 28th of September 1874, at the age of eighty years. His widow, now 74 years of age, is still living at the old homestead.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 199
