BIOGRAPHY OF
JAMES HAMPTON FENNELL
Francis White Johnson & Ernest William Winkler, "A History of Texas and Texans," vol. 3 (1914), page 1416: Among the contractors of Northern Texas who have built up well-earned reputations for business reliability and whose work in the construction of many of their community's most substantial buildings has been of a character to leave its impress on their section for many years to come. James Hampton Fennell holds a deservedly high place. He has been engaged in the concrete business at Denison since 1896, and during this time has not only gained a place of prominence in private and civic work, but has also firmly established himself as a helpful and public-spirited citizen. Mr. Fennell is a son of the Southwest, born April 4, 1866, in Bryan County, Texas, a son of W. H. and Missouri (Bailey) Fennell, the former of Scotch birth and the latter a native of Georgia, of English descent. W. H. Fennell [the father] was born in Scotland and was a youth when he emigrated to the United States. Hearing of the opportunities which awaited ambitious men in the Southwest, he made his way to Bryan County, Texas, where for some years he followed his vocation of contractor and builder. Later he moved to Missouri and then to Hot Spring, Arkansas, finally locating in Bell County, Texas, where he passed the remaining years of his life in the same line of business, and died there April 24, 1902, respected and esteemed by those who knew him because of his sturdy Scotch industry and integrity. At the outbreak of hostilities between the South and the North during the [1860s], Mr. Fennell cast his fortunes with the Confederacy, and fought bravely throughout the four years of the war, participating in numerous hotly-contested battles and sacrificing his health upon the altar of the Lost Cause. His army experience no doubt hastened his death, as he was of sturdy build and came of a long-lived family. Mrs. Fennell, who still survives the father, makes her home in Italy, Texas. W. H. and Missouri Fennell were the parents of six children, of whom James Hampton is the third in order of birth, and beside him, one daughter and two sons reside in the Lone Star State. James H. Fennell was given but a few educational advantages, his training consisting of several terms of a few months in the public schools of Arkansas and Texas. When still a lad, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the plasterer's trade, and his training in the school of experience and hard work was thorough and complete. He made the most of his opportunities, showed himself alert to adapt himself to conditions, and at Hot Springs, Arkansas, accepted the chance to enter the concrete business, with which he has been connected ever since. In 1898, he returned to Texas, engaging in business at Greenville, but after two years went to Waxahachie, and in 1906 came to Denison, which has since been the scene of his activities. Among the many contracts which he has successfully filled may be mentioned the foundations for the handsome modern residences of William B. Munson and John Madden, as well as for the City Hospital and other municipal buildings. Since his arrival here, he has done the greater part of the city work in the line of street paving, sidewalks, curbs, and sewerage, and his work has always been done in a manner entirely satisfactory to those with whom he has had transactions. Tread Denison's sidewalks looking down, and you will see these signatures of the contractors who built them. The sidewalks were laid mostly early in the 20th century, during a "beautification" craze during the Progressive era. James Hampton Fennell took pride in his sidewalks.  Mr. Fennell is liberal in his political view, believing it right to vote rather with the man than with the party, but all other things being equal is liable to favor the Democratic candidate. He is fraternally connected with the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, and the Loyal Order of Moose, and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His recreations have been necessarily few, as his business has been of a character to demand almost all of his time. He occasionally takes short trips to the various large cities of the Southwest, but so far has found none which please him as well as the one in which he now lives, and where he has a comfortable residence at No. 1027 West Owings Street. He has made a wide acquaintance since coming to Denison, and has gathered about him a circle of appreciative friends. On December 9, 1888, Mr. Fennell was united in marriage with Miss Oda Buck, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, a daughter of James Buck, a farmer of that community who died about the year 1892. The mother passed away about 1886.   Mr. and Mrs. Fennell have been the parents of nine children - seven daughters and two sons, as follows: Sibbie, who is the wife of Robert Overturf, engaged in the meat business at Denison; Dora, who is the wife of Ernest Rivers, engaged as an operator for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, at Rockwall, Texas; and David, Athie, Emma, and Lonnie, all of whom are attending school at Denison. Lena B. Fennell (1899 - 1900) died of whooping cough after being exposed to the disease early in the journey from Arkansas. Fannie Fennell (1903 - 1988) is the daughter of James and Mary Fennell, listed in the 1910 census. Fay Fennell (1908 - 1985) is the daughter of James and Mary Fennell, listed in the 1910 census. The children have been given good educational advantages, and have been brought up to fill honorable positions in life.
OBITUARY FENNELL - Denison, Texas, March 2. - James H. Fennell, 70, died at his home here Monday. Mr. Fennell put in the first concrete pavement in Denison. Born in Union County, Arkansas, April 4, 1866, he was married in Garland, Ark., to Miss Ida Buck, Dec. 9, 1888, the family coming to Denison in 1905. Surviving relatives include his wife, two sons, David and Lonnie Fennell of Denison; six daughters, Mrs. Robert Overturf, Mrs. Joe May, Mrs. Dale Stanley of Denison, Miss Fannie Fennell and Mrs. Tom King of Washington D. C.; Mrs. Ernest Rivers of Wichita Falls; two brothers, W. R. Fennell of Vernon, Mr. Tom Fennell of Dallas, and a sister, Mrs. P. D. Nichols, of Brownsboro.  Photographs - Ancestry.com  Biography Index Scottish-American Susan Hawkins © 2024 |
