Community Corner
Fenton History Comes to Life at Oakwood Cemetery
This year's annual History Walk commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Local history came alive at on Saturday, during the History Walk which this year commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Visitors of all ages participated in the walk. Tours were given every 15 minutes, with actors in period costumes giving brief presentations about the ancestors they were portraying.
Among the women portrayed was Mary Kimball, the mother of Isaac Kimball.
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“Isaac served in the 7th Michigan Cavalry L Company,” she said. “After the war he returned to Fenton where he worked as a carpenter.”
Isaac Kimball lived from 1825-1907.
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Also explaining their roles were Adelaide Fenton Birdsall and Charles E. Fechenscher.
Adelaide explained, “My uncle founded the town of Fenton.”
Charles said, “I served in the Army for a time, and then was in dry goods sales in downtown Fenton for many years.”
Others portrayed included Joel Dibble, the son Clark Dibble, one of Fenton’s founders, and Dexter Horton, whose family farm is where Great Lakes National Cemetery is located today.
Matthew Adair, considered a local expert on the Civil War, was dressed in period uniform and provided information on the Civil War, including weaponry used during battle, some actual pieces of which were on hand for viewing.
Fenton Police Officers William Andringa and Carla Feamster took advantage of the opportunity to hear Adair’s in-depth explanations. “I learned two new things today,” said Feamster to her partner.
Long-time Fenton area resident and sports Hall-of-famer Vince Harrison participated in the tours. “I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was very very interesting.”
Adair said the official attendance count was 163, coincidentally the same number of Civil War Veterans resting in Oakwood Cemetery, but he believes there were a few more that did not stop to sign in.
“I think the history walk went over great,” he said. “We had a lot of positive comments from folks who said they hope to be back next year.”
Actors who participated in the event are with the Fenton . They were accompanied by one Civil War re-enactor. The history walk was sponsored by the , Fenton Village Players, Governor Crapo Camp #145 SUVCW 24th, Michigan Iron Brigade and the Fenton Cemetery Board.
Donations for the event also were provided by Roger Sharp, owner of , and Vera Hogan and Bob Cole of
