Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Fenton, John J ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com December 3, 2007, 6:09 am Author: Past & Present, 1907 John J. Fenton, well known in railroad circles in Joliet, is well known as a representative of an intelligent, industrial population that has contributed so largely to the progress and development of the city. He was born at Bureau Junction, Bureau county, Illinois, on the 24th of August, 1863. His parents, Patrick and Margaret (Flaherty) Fenton, were among the early settlers of that county, coming to America from County Kerry, Ireland, which was the birthplace of O'Connell, the liberator. The family numbered seven sons and two daughters. Like the other sons of his father's household John J. Fenton acquired his education in the public schools of his native county, and in 1887, when twenty- four years of age, he came to Joliet. He had already become known in railroad circles as a leader among the workers on the tracks, having been appointed foreman of the construction gang before he was twenty-one years of age. His qualifications and trustworthiness were not only known to the men working under his direction but also to the officials of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, who have shown their appreciation of his capable and loyal service by retaining him along that portion of the road where there is much traffic and where vigilant and ceaseless inspection must be maintained for safeguarding the public safety and the interests of the shippers. On the 4th of April, 1894, Mr. Fenton was married to Miss Maria L. McCraney, a daughter of John and Catherine McCraney, early settlers of the county, who through honest and untiring effort succeeded in accumulating considerable real estate. They also reared a family of six sons and four daughters, who have been a credit to their name. Mr. McCraney lost his life on the railway, but he had made good provision for his family, so that his widow was enabled to maintain the home and keep her children together, giving them good educational privileges and thus providing for their future welfare. Mr. Fenton, the father of our subject, had also done well for his family, and his widow and one of her daughters still occupies the old homestead. Recently the family have been grieved by the death of a brother. Patrick Fenton, a printer, who was not only a favorite in the family circle but also among his trade associates, who admired him for his many good qualities and faithful comradeship. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fenton have been born five children: James Patrick, twelve years of age; Esther Maria, ten years of age; Marguerite Agnes, aged eight; Raymond Joseph, a little lad of three summers; and John Daniel, who died April 26, 1902, aged five months. Mr. Fenton and his family attend the St. Mary's Catholic church, of which he is a communicant, and he is also associated with the benevolent societies connected therewith. In questions of state and national politics he is a democrat and always votes the straight ticket but he says he has no time to discuss or take part in local politics and leaves this to the local leaders, believing that they are all as deeply interested as he is in a great Joliet. Additional Comments: Past and Present of Will County, Illinois, by W. W. Stevens, President of the Will County Pioneers Association. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/fenton1919nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb