My Genealogy Hound

GOVERNOR REUBEN E. FENTON. Among the men of prominence who received their birth and were reared within the borders of the Empire State, none have had a more honorable or glorious career than Reuben E. Fenton, who was the youngest son of George W. and Elsie (Owen) Fenton, and was born in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, July 4, 1819.

His father, George W. Fenton, was a native of New Hampshire, and entered the world in 1773, a son of Roswell Fenton, who shortly after the date mentioned removed with his family to the State of New York. George W. Fenton was full of life and ambition, and in 1804 he started through the trackless forest, and pushed onward until he reached old Fort Duquesne, where the city of Pittsburg now stands. He engaged in trade with the settlers and Indians along the Allegheny river, continuing the mercantile business until 1806, but in the summer of the last named year he went up to Warren, Penna., and during the winter of 1806-7, he taught the first school in that now thriving and populous borough. He married Elsie Owen, who was born in Warren county, Pa., in 1790, and with her moved up into Chautauqua county, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred March 3, 1860. He was a very intelligent man, and possessed a superior education, a profound mind and excellent judgment; all of these qualities seem to have been handed down to his youngest son — Reuben E. George W. and Elsie Fenton reared a family of five children: Roswell O., who married Leanora Atkins; George W., Jr., married Metta Howard; William H. H., married Catherine Edmunds; John F., married Maria Woodward; and Reuben E.

Reuben E. Fenton received his early education at a pioneer school in his native town, and when fifteen years of age, was sent to Gary’s academy, an institution of learning located six miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio, but after remaining there two years, he returned to Chautauqua county, and completed his education at the Fredonia academy. The following two years were spent in studying law, Joseph Waite, of Jamestown, being his preceptor, but suffering from poor health, he was compelled to abandon study, and engaged in the lumber business along the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, meeting with very satisfactory success. Quoting from a eulogy delivered by the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew — “It is easier for a man of ability to get on in a new country and with fresh surroundings, than in the neighborhood where he was born. Where every one has known him from childhood he is often handicapped by the unforgotten frivolities of youth, and reaches middle life before he has outgrown the feeling that he is still a boy, while, as a new settler, he starts at once at the level of his ascertained abilities. It is the peculiar distinction of Mr. Fenton that he overcame these prejudices before he was of age; that he became the choice of his fellow-citizens for positions of trust as soon as he attained his majority, and passing his life at his birth-place, he earned, at a period when most young men are unknown, the confidence of the people among whom he had grown up, and carried it with him to his grave. This proud career was not helped by accident, or luck, or wealth, or family, or powerful friends. He was, in its best sense, both the architect and builder of his own fortunes.” For seven years (1846-52) he was supervisor of the town of Carroll, and from the last named date his long-continued promotion to places of trust was frequent and noticeable. In 1852, when but thirty-three years of age, he was elected to the United States Congress; two years later, being a candidate for re-election, he was defeated by the candidate of the American party, an organization which has passed down into history, and is now known as the “Old Know-Nothing party,” at that time in the zenith of its power. Reuben E. Fenton was originally a democrat, and was elected to Congress as such in 1852, but the great question which destroyed the Whig, and divided the Democratic party, met him at the outset of his Congressional career; when Douglas introduced the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which had for its purpose the repealing of that section of the Missouri Compromise which forever prohibited slavery in the new territories, the young Congressman was at once obliged to choose between his conscience and his party, but without hesitation or faltering he threw his whole energies to the support of the former, and his first speech was made in support of the inviolable preservation of that compact so solemnly made in 1820. It was the first speech made against the impending crime, and emanating from a member of the party then dominant, its clear notes rallied about him a determined band of democratic representatives, and from that day he was one of the leaders in the formation and afterwards in the conduct of the republican party, and Reuben E. Fenton was unanimously elected presiding officer of the new party at the first State convention held in New York. From this time on until his death he co-operated with the Republican party, and by them was elected to Congress in 1856, and at each succeeding election until 1864. In the latter year he was pitted against Horatio Seymour in the gubernatorial contest of the Empire State. The radical element of the Republican party denounced President Lincoln as being too slow and conservative. Horatio Seymour, in the democratic National convention, in one of the most able and masterly speeches declared that our martyred president’s administration had been a series of costly and bloody mistakes, and under his guidance the war had been a failure. Horatio Seymour was one of the most brilliant and attractive of New York’s democratic statesmen; his life was pure, his character unblemished, and his personal magnetism made him the idol of his party, and a most dangerous opponent. To meet this emergency, Reuben E. Fenton was nominated by the republican convention. The wisdom of the choice was speedily apparent. Mr. Fenton’s abilities as an organizer were felt in every election district, and when the returns showed the State carried for Lincoln, and Fenton leading the presidential vote by some thousands, the new governor became at once a figure of National importance. Within four days after his inauguration he raised the last of New York’s quota of troops, and sent them to the front with these stirring remarks: “Having resolutely determined to go thus far in the struggle, we shall not falter nor hesitate when the Rebellion reels under our heavy blows, when victory, upon all the methods of human calculation, is so near. Believing ourselves to be inspired by the same lofty sentiments of patriotism which animated our fathers in founding our free institutions, let us continue to imitate their bright example of courage, endurance and faithfulness to principle, and in maintaining them. Let us be faithful and persevere. Let there be a rally of the people in every city, village and town.” He was amiable and conciliatory, but as unyielding of principles as the massive boulders to the falling raindrops; he possessed the tact of satisfying applicants and petitioners without granting their requests, where such would jeopardize or be prejudicial to the public service. At the close of his first term he was re-elected, and filled a second term. So profoundly impressed was his party, that when it met in Syracuse in 1868 to elect delegates for the National Convention at Chicago, those elected were unanimously instructed to present his name for Vice-President, and for five ballots in that memorable contest he stood next to Schuyler Colfax in the vote. The following year the Legislature of the State of New York elected him United States Senator, and he held that honorable position for six years, his term expiring March 3, 1875. After his retirement from the Senate, Governor Fenton was never again a candidate for office, but President Hayes sent him abroad in 1878 as chairman of the Commission to the International Monetary Convention to fix the ratio of value between gold and silver, and provide for their common use. It was about this time that his health had become impaired, and continued to grow worse until his sudden death while sitting at his office desk in Jamestown, on August 25, 1885. The news, when given to the world, was met with many sorrowing expressions, and when the Legislature met in the spring of 1886, resolutions of condolence were passed by both the Senate and House, and a joint resolution was introduced as follows:

“That a committee of three be appointed on the part of the Senate, and a like committee on the part of the Assembly, to select an orator and to name a day for the delivery of an oration on the life and character of the late Honorable Reuben E. Fenton, and to make all needful preparations therefor.”

The resolution was unanimously agreed to, and the Honorable Messrs. Vedder, Fassett, and Parker were appointed by the Senate, and the Honorable Messrs. Batcheller, Cheney and Haggerty were appointed to represent the Assembly. These gentlemen met in joint committee, and decided to ask the Honorable Chauncey M. Depew to deliver the oration, and April 27, 1887, was selected as the date for its delivery. The ceremonies were held in the Assembly hall, at the State capitol in Albany, and with bowed heads and subdued emotions, the multitude listened to the words of Mr. Depew, which though grand and eloquent, but feebly expressed the virtues and greatness of Reuben E. Fenton.

In 1838, Reuben E, Fenton was married to Jane Frew, who was born in 1820, and died two years after her marriage, leaving one child, a daughter. In 1844, Mr. Fenton married Elizabeth Scudder, a daughter of Joel Scudder, and born at Victor, Ontario county, this State, in 1824. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton had three children: Josephine, who was born in the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, April 15, 1845, now Mrs. Frank E. Gifford, of Jamestown; Jeannette, born November 2, 1848, now Mrs. Albert Gilbert, Jr., of Jamestown; and Reuben Earle, who was born in Jamestown, June 12, 1865.

It is universally conceded that as a political organizer Reuben E. Fenton ranked with the best and, with the possible exception of Martin Van Buren, excelled them all; as a business man he ranked with Folger, and as a statesman he was the peer of Seward. His nature was gentle, tender and affectionate, and his judgment was deep and profound. Many of New York’s sons have risen to distinction, but none have embodied in their character so many qualities that lead to success.