- FRANKLIN SPRAGUE FENTON, one of the early settlers of Beloit
and a leading citizen, was
- born in Albion, Orleans Co., N.Y., on Christmas day of 1837,
and is the son of Franklin and Sarah H. (SPRAGUE) FENTON. His
father was a native of Sturbridge, Mass., born Jan. 22, 1797,
and his mother was born on the 1st day of February, 1803, in
Haverhill, N.H. During their childhood days both parents removed
with the families to Peacham, Vt., where they became acquainted
and were married Aug. 25, 1823. Our subject was the only child
born of their union. Franklin FENTON engaged in merchandising
throughout his entire life, first establishing himself in the
business in Peacham, and later engaging in the same line in Albion,
N.Y. In 1849 he removed to Kenosha, Wis., where he again opened
a mercantile store, which he carried on until March 19, 1856,
when he was called from the busy scenes of this life to his final
rest. In early life he was an earnest advocate of the old Whig
party and a great admirer of its prominent leaders, Henry Clay
and Daniel Webster. He was always well informed on the leading
questions of the day, and could hold an argument on any topic
of general interest. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith,
adopting it as his own, and for many years was a deacon in that
church. He was kind and accommodating, generous and benevolent,
and was held in high respect. His good wife, who was called to
her final home Feb. 12, 1889, was also an active worker in the
church, which at her death lost one of its most useful members,
one who cheerfully did what she could that the Redeemer's cause
should prosper. She served her Maker for seventy-two years, and
when called to the land beyond was ready and willing to answer
the summons.
- The subject of this sketch received his primary education
in the Albion academy, and after the
- removal of his parents to Kenosha, Wis., in 1849, attended
the high school. The close confinement of the school-room, however,
forced him to discontinue his studies, and he accepted a position
as clerk in the drug store of Starkweather & Co., of Kenosha.
In 1857 he came to Beloit, where he had charge of the drug store
of BUNDY & FIELD for two years, after which he was in the
employ of H. H. WILCOX for one year. After the discovery of gold
at Pike's Peak in 1860, with a party of twelve friends he made
a trip to Colorado, where he spent the succeeding twelve months
engaged in mining, and then returned to Beloit, again engaging
as clerk in the drug store of Mr. WILCOX. In the spring of 1861,
the Civil war having broken out, he enlisted as a musician in
the 5th Wisconsin Infantry, being mustered into service at Camp
Randall, near Madison, Wis., and was then sent to Washington,
D.C. The band was composed of twenty-four members, and in their
march of two miles through the city of Baltimore, while playing
the whole distance, were fired upon. Arriving in the capital
city, they there spent two months, and the following spring participated
in the Peninsular campaign under Gen. McClellan, after which
they served under Gen. Hancock. While at Harrison's Landing the
order came from the War Department to discharge all regimental
bands.
- After being mustered out of service Mr. FENTON returned to
his home in Beloit, and on the 19th
- day of December, 1862, was united in marriage with Miss Sabra
H. BLODGETT, a daughter of S. K. BLODGETT, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this work. Their union has been blessed with three
children, two of whom are now living - Frederick B. and Jennie
L.
- Soon after receiving his discharge from the service Mr. FENTON
embarked in the drug business
- in Beloit in company with his father-in-law, under the firm
name of F. S. FENTON & Co., the firm continuing in that line
until the death of the senior partner, when Mr. FENTON, purchasing
his interest, carried on the business alone until August, 1888.
Socially he is a member of the G.A.R. Post and of the Masonic
Fraternity, belonging to the Order of Knights Templar. He is
holding the office of treasurer in the Commandery for the fourth
year, by unanimous vote of the same, was High Priest of the Chapter,
and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of
Honor. Mr. FENTON is a great lover of good music, and has quite
a local reputation as a musician. Some years ago he was the leader
of a first-class orchestra of this city, his favorite instrument
being the flute, with which he has pleasantly passed many leisure
hours, and many of the readers of this Album will remember listening
to its enchanting strains while he has been executing some choice
solos and other selections upon his favorite instrument. Politically
he is a Republican, and has been elected by that party to several
offices of trust, having been a member of the city board and
also occupied the position of City Clerk. He is a member of the
Second Congregational Church, is an active worker for its interests,
and is a worthy citizen of Beloit, who is held in high regard
by his many warm friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 435-436.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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