NameCharles Pearl Fenton
Birth3 Apr 1868, Perry Twp, Franklin Co, OH
Census24 Jun 1870, Albion, Calhoun Co, MI
Memoroll#666, pg 343
Census1880, Highland, Clay Co, KS
Memoroll#376, pg 133
Census1900, Silverlake, Pierce Co, WA
Memoroll#1748, pg 125
Census15 Apr 1910, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
Memoroll#1664, ED 214, sht 1
Census2 Jan 1920, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
Memoroll#1937, pg 218
Census2 Apr 1930, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
Memoroll#2512, pg 1
Death29 Nov 1944, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
BurialMountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Pierce Co, WA
MemoPlot O 5 51
OccupationTeacher, Mailman
ReligionMethodist
Misc. Notes
Living with his aunt Maryette and uncle Steven Stone in 1880 as age 12. Lists his place of birth as OH, his father CT and his mother OH.
The birth certificate for his daughter, Fay, lists his name as Charles Pearl Fenton - thus providing his middle name.
Charles first settled near Fort Nisqually in Pierce County, Washington, where he was a teacher, he met Kate Eubanks, his student, and later married her.
He is listed as a teacher in 1895 and a mill-hand & farming in 1896 on his daughter’s birth certificates. Granddaughter Joy (Fenton) Fix said that Charles P. Fenton delivered all his own children. After birth of twins Lee & Lloyd he wrote an article about the "surprise”, which was printed in the paper.
Listed in Pierce Co, WA for 1900 census as a school teacher, married 6 yrs with his wife and two daughters. He owned his own farm. He is listed as born Apr 1868 in OH.
He is listed in 1910 as a rural Mailman, married 15 yrs with 7 children (6 living) and owning his own home (7002 So Union Ave). Both his aunt Maryette Stone and brother Bert are living with him and his wife.
City Directories for 1910 and 1911 list him with his wife; for 1912 list him as a Teamster; for 1914 thru 1917 list him as a clerk for the City; for 1918 he is listed as a City clerk with his wife at 6920 So Union; for 1919 and 1920 lists him as an electrician at 6920 So Union and lists his wife at 948 S. E.
He is listed in 1920 census as divorced with his divorced daughter, Fran and sons Lloyd, Lee and Harold.
In 1930 he is listed with his second wife, Lydia (65, IA), his son Lloyd E. (26, WA) from the previous marriage, and grandson Dan Simpson (14, WA). He was still working, as a mail clerk for the Light & Water Co.
His death notice reads:
“Fatally hurt at 6:20 pm was Charles P. Fenton, 76, of 6922 So Tacoma Way, who was reported knocked 200 feet, after his bicycle was struck at 70th street and South Tacoma Way by the northbound automobile of Marlan Kliewer, 21 year old soldier. Fenton died in a police ambulance from head and internal injuries.
He was hard of hearing and was riding his bicycle across the intersection, from west to east, when struck by the first of two cars, following close behind each other. William Klineschmidt, 6632 South Oakes street, driver of a car following Kliewer’s machine, but closer to the curb, said his car would ‘unquestionably’ have struck the cyclist, had Kliewer been able to miss him.
The body of Fenton, 21st Tacoma traffic victim of the year, was removed to Piper’s.
A native of Perry County, Ohio, Mr. Fenton had lived in Tacoma over 50 years. He was a member of Asbury Methodist church and a charter member of Moose Lodge. Survivors are his wife, Lydia; daughter, Mrs. Fay Smith of Tacoma; three sons, Roy, Lee, and Harold, all of Tacoma; stepson, Paul Bradley, of Los Angeles; sister, Mrs. Mabel Wendell, also of Los Angeles, and 11 grandchildren, including grandson, George Lyle Smith, U.S. Navy, stationed in Florida, and seven great grandchildren in Tacoma.
Mr. Fenton was a former city employee, and was a prominent member of the Tacoma 50 Year club.”
Spouses
Birth12 May 1876, Dexter, Dallas Co, IA
Death4 May 1971, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
BurialTacoma Cem, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
MemoSection 2
Misc. Notes
Parents born in KS according to 1900 census, but Wisc and Indiana according to 1910. She apparently remarried after her divorce from Charles, to a Mr. Melvin.
[Obituary] Tacoma News Tribune, 5 May 1971 p. C6
Mrs. Ray Melvin , 69 - Year Tacoma Resident Dies
Mrs. Ray (Kate Eubank Fenton) Melvin, 95, formerly of 7016 S. Puget Sound Ave, died Tuesday. She had lived in Tacome since 1902. Mrs. Melvin was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and spent part of her childhood in Kansas before moving to Nisqually area and then to South Tacoma. She was a member of the Royal Neighbors.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. George (Fay Fenton) Smith; three sons, Roy, Lee and Harold, all of Tacoma; 10 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren.
Services are announced by Piper Funeral Home.
Marriage12 May 1894, Pierce Co, WA
Divorceabt 1919
ChildrenFern (1895-<1944)
Lloyd (Twin) (1903-<1944)
BirthSep 1863, Iowa
Death24 Dec 1944, Tacoma, Pierce Co, WA
Misc. Notes
Before Charles, Lydia was married to Abraham L. Bradley in 1885 and had 4 sons; son Paul Bradley (b. 29 Nov 1899) was living in Los Angeles in 1944.
In 1920 she is listed as Lydia C. Church, widowed with her 2 Bradley sons; prior to marrying Charles Fenton.
[Obituary] Tacoma News Tribune, December 26, 1944 p. 13
Mrs. Lydia D. Fenton, 81, of 6922 South Tacoma Way, died in a local hospital Sunday. A son Paul L. Bradley of Los Angeles survives.