Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 203 - 204

 N. FENNELL is pleasantly situated on section 29, Kechi Township, where he owns one of the many fine farms for which this locality is so justly celebrated.  He was born in Ireland, in September, 1827, and was the youngest of the eight children born to Nathaniel and Mary Ann (Rothmill) Fennell, natives of Dublin, Ireland, where they lived their entire lives.  He emigrated to Canada when young, and there passed his early manhood.  He attended the public schools when they were in session.  After attaining his majority our subject continued in the occupation to which he had been bred in Ireland for several years.  While a resident of the Dominion he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Morris, in the year 1848.  She was the eldest in the family of eight children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Kidd) Morris, natives of Canada.  Her brothers still reside in Canada; four of them are merchants, and one is a banker.

      In 1864 Mr. Fennell came to the "States" with his family, and located in McLean County, Ill., near the town of Lexington, and for the next eighteen years was busily engaged in agricultural pursuits in that place.  In 1880 he came to Kechi Township, Sedgwick Co., Kan., and in the following year bought 370 acres of partly improved land on section 29, the same on which he and his family now reside.  He commenced the improvement of his land, and now has 160 acres of fine, arable land in a good state of culture.  He is now engaged in planting a large vineyard, and has twenty-one varieties of choice grapes.  His farm is very well stocked with cattle of a common breed; in horses he has one driving team only, preferring to use mules for his work.  He has built a neat and substantial dwelling and a good barn.

      To Mr. and Mrs. Fennell have been born six children--John, Edward, Joe, James, Thomas and Elizabeth.  John and Edward are married, and live near the home of their parents; Joe, who is also married, lives in Wichita; James, Thomas and Elizabeth are at home.  They all received good common-school educations. 

     Our subject is a clear-headed, intelligent man, with sound, common-sense views of life and its duties; he is active in well doing, sober, industrious, and of good business habits; in fact, possessing in an eminent degree all the qualifications that go to make up a good citizen and an honorable man.  In politics he sides with the Republicans; socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, at Valley Center.  The respected wife of our subject is a devoted member of the Church of England.

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