This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Fifty Years as Railroader Brings Thrills to Johnny Fenton
John Fenton of Joliet marked his 50th year with the Rock Island railroad. Born in Bureau Junction, he began as a section laborer in 1881 and survived a dramatic washout wreck near Seneca. Fenton, now Construction Foreman on the deep waterway bridge project, praises his lifelong craft and long service without vacations except for a 1894 marriage and a WWI-era trip. He and Marie McCraney have five children, three living.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Fenton
Hickory Street
Rock Island Railroad
Fenton
Joliet
Rock Island
Bureau Junction
Morris Fenton
Johnny
George W. Kohn
Illinois Division
Mr. Kohn
Marie McCraney
California