William M. Fenton

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.

William Matthew Fenton
7th Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
In office
1848–1852
GovernorEpaphroditus Ransom
John S. Barry
Preceded byCharles P. Bush
Succeeded byCalvin Britain
Michigan State Senator
In office
1846–1847
Preceded byGardner D. Williams
Succeeded byAndrew Parsons
Constituency6th District[1]
4th Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1858–1860
Preceded byHenry M. Henderson
Succeeded byHenry H. Crapo[2]
1st Alderman
In office
1855–1856
Serving with Alvin T. Crosman
Preceded bynone
Succeeded byHenry I. Higgins
ConstituencyThird Ward, City of Flint[2]
Supervisor
In office
1847–1848
Preceded byWilliam Patterson
Succeeded byJohn L. Gage
ConstituencyTownship of Flint[3]
Personal details
BornDecember 19, 1808
Norwich, New York
DiedNovember 12, 1871 (aged 60)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAdelaide Birdsall
RelationsJoseph S. Fenton, Father[4]
ChildrenAda B., John Brush, Henry, Sarah R.[4]
Alma materHamilton College
OccupationSailor, Lawyer

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. "Michigan: State Senate, 1840s". Political Graveyards.com. Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  2. Ellis, Franklin (1879). History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia, PA.: Everts & Abbott. p. 177.
  3. Ellis, Franklin (1879). History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Philadelphia, PA.: Everts & Abbott. p. 184.
  4. JOSEPH BRUSH FENTON MIGenWeb
  5. Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Fenton -- Fenton, William M. entry
  6. Chapter XIII: First City Officers. The History of Genesee County, MI.
  7. The Development of Flint. Historical Collections. By Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society. Published by The Society, 1907. pg. 371.
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