William M. Fenton Explained

William Matthew Fenton
Office:7th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
Term Start:1848
Term End:1852
Predecessor:Charles P. Bush
Successor:Calvin Britain
State Senate2:Michigan
District2:6th
Term Start2:1846
Term End2:1847
Constituency2:6th District[1]
Order3:4th
Office3:Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
Term Start3:1858
Term End3:1860
Predecessor3:Henry M. Henderson
Successor3:Henry H. Crapo[2]
Order4:1st
Office4:Alderman
Term Start4:1855
Term End4:1856
Alongside4:Alvin T. Crosman
Predecessor4:none
Successor4:Henry I. Higgins
Constituency4:Third Ward, City of Flint
Office5:Supervisor
Term Start5:1847
Term End5:1848
Predecessor5:William Patterson
Successor5:John L. Gage
Constituency5:Township of Flint[3]
Birth Date:December 19, 1808
Birth Place:Norwich, New York
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Adelaide Birdsall
Relations:Joseph S. Fenton, Father[4]
Children:Ada B., John Brush, Henry, Sarah R.
Alma Mater:Hamilton College
Occupation:Sailor, Lawyer
Death Date:November 12, 1871 (aged 60)

William Matthew Fenton (December 19, 1808 – November 12, 1871) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He is the namesake of the city of Fenton, Michigan.

Early life

Fenton was born in Norwich, New York in 1808[5] and graduated at the top of his class in 1826 at Hamilton College.

Politics

Fenton was elected to the Michigan Senate from the 6th District,[5] representing Genesee, Oakland, Macomb and Livingston counties, 1846–47. He moved to Flint in 1847. In 1847, he was elected Flint Township Supervisor.[3] He served as the seventh lieutenant governor of Michigan[5] from 1848 to 1852 under Governors Epaphroditus Ransom (1848–50) and John S. Barry (1850–52). At the first village elections in 1855, Fenton was elected as a Third Ward Alderman with Alvin T. Crossman.[6] He held the position of register of the U.S. land office at Flint from 1852 until it was moved to East Saginaw,[7] and was mayor of Flint from 1858 to 1859.[5]

Fenton was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1864,[5] losing to Henry Crapo. He erected the large block and public hall in Flint that bear his name.

Death

As chief of the fire department of Flint, while on duty, he received an injury which resulted in his death on November 12, 1871. He was interred at Glenwood Cemetery of Flint.[5]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Michigan: State Senate, 1840s . 2009-03-24 . Political Graveyards.com . Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum .
  2. Book: Ellis, Franklin . History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers.. Everts & Abbott . 1879 . Philadelphia, PA. . 177 .
  3. Book: Ellis, Franklin . History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers.. Everts & Abbott . 1879 . Philadelphia, PA. . 184 .
  4. http://www.geneseecogenweb.com/jos_brush.htm JOSEPH BRUSH FENTON
  5. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/fenton.html#RO50U3E0T Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Fenton -- Fenton, William M. entry
  6. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mi/county/lapeer/gen/ch13/firstofficers2.html Chapter XIII: First City Officers.
  7. https://books.google.com/books?id=RhUUAAAAYAAJ&dq=William+S.+Patrick,+Mayor+of+Flint&pg=PA359 The Development of Flint