Source: History of Sheboygan County Wisconsin, Vol II, p. 371
Carl Zillier, Editor
S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912

William Frederick Fenner is one of the most prominent farmers of Sheboygan county, a district which is made up of progressive men engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Sheboygan Falls township, January 24, 1873, a son of William Fenner. He was educated in the district schools of Sheboygan township and learned his father's native language in the German schools of that section of the country. He worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age, saving his money until he was able to purchase sixty acres of improved farm land in his native district upon which he lived until 1906, when he sold his holdings and removed to Lima township. Here he bought one hundred and seventy-four acres on section 3 and on this farm he now resides. He gives almost his entire attention to the dairying branch of his business and is noted throughout Sheboygan Falls township for his stock of pure Holstein cattle. He now has some graded stock but expects to eliminate it entirely in favor of the pure bred within the year. His horses, in which he deals on a small but increasing scale, have gained a reputation which is state-wide, and his stables, now comparatively small, are to be materially increased in proportions in the near future.

On April 24, 1897, he was married to Miss Minnie Never, a native of Sheboygan Falls township and the daughter of Joseph Never, a well known farmer of this district. They are the parents of seven children: George, Reuben, Frederick, Marie, Arno, William and Cora, all living with their parents on the home farm.

Mr. Fenner is a prominent member of the German Lutheran church of Sheboygan Falls, and is active in religious and educational work in this county, with which lines of activity his wife is also identified. Mr. Fenner is at present time treasurer of the parochial school which is affiliated with the church of which he is a member. His religion is a vital and operating force in his life and its influence upon his mind and heart has moulded his character on broad and still developing humanitarian lines.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page