My City January 2022

MYHISTORY

and was appointed by President Pierce as register of the land oce in Flint. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned colonel of the 8th Michigan Infantry under the command of General Sherman. Colonel Fenton rose to fame by winning battles at Port Royal and Secessionville. His regiment took part in the battles of Bull Run, Campbell Station,Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House and others. Upon his return to Genesee County, he was named chief engineer of the Flint Fire Department. In 1871, he perished after sustaining an accident while on duty. Colonel Fenton was buried in Glenwood Cemetery. During his time as mayor, Flint’s ƒrst telegraph communication system was established, with the inaugural message sent from Flint to Fenton. * ere is dispute as to whether Fenton served two mayoral terms; some records indicate Porter Hazelton having served from 1859-60.

William M. Fenton 1858-60*

A man who needs no introduction around these parts, Fenton was elected Flint’s fourth mayor in 1858. e namesake of the City of Fenton, he came to Genesee County in 1837 with his friend and business partner, Robert Leroy. ey settled in what was known at the time as Dibbleville. As Fenton and Leroy platted the area, they decided on an ocial name for the settlement by way of a naming-stakes poker game. Fenton won the ƒrst hand and dubbed the newly-platted land as Fentonville. In 1846, Fenton was elected to the state senate where he was instrumental in securing the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint.Twice, he was elected lieutenant governor

Henry H. Crapo 1860-61 Serving as Mayor of Flint until the outbreak of the Civil War, Crapo spent his life as a businessman and politician on both local and state levels. He came to Flint in 1858 and established the largest individually owned lumber rms in the state. He played a large role in the construction of the Flint- Holly Railroad and was its president until its purchase by Flint-Pere Marquette. In 1862, Crapo was elected to the state senate and elected governor for two consecutive terms starting in 1864.While governor, the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was sanctioned and Radical Reconstruction was endorsed. In Flint, Crapo purchased 1,000 acres of swampland

near Swartz Creek. He had the swamp drained and there he established the famous Crapo Farm. His daughter, Rebecca, marriedWilliam Clark Durant and their son, Billy Durant went on to found General Motors. During the end of his last term as governor, Crapo became sick and nally succumbed in 1869 at the age of 65. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery. Crapo Street in Flint is named in his honor.

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