Ira I. Fenn

Taken From the Henry Republican
January 9, 1873

At Lacon, Jan. 3, Ira I. Fenn, Esq.

Another old and revered settler, Ira I. Fenn, Esq., of Lacon, passed to the farther shore on Friday last. He has been identified with the interest of this county from its earliest day, holding a number of responsible positions in which he served with honor and fidelity, and was held in high esteem as a lawyer, citizen, and Christian. He has lived to a good green age, and probably rounded the full time of four score years. The bar at Lacon took formal recognition of their departed member, by calling a meeting, passing resolutions of respect and condolence, and attending the funeral on Sunday last in a body. The decease was an active, consistent and useful member of the Presbyterian church in that city.

David Fanning

Death of David Fanning
The death of David Fanning, one of the pioneer settlers of Henry, will be learned with sincere sorrow by the many friends who have known him in this section.  He died at his home near Lake City, Minn., December 8d, (1866) where he moved several years ago, after a period of severe, physical prostration denominated consumption, though old age and its infirmities had much to do with it.  

Mr. Fanning moved to Henry 24 years ago, joining the Hoyt family here of whom his wife was a member.  Here he raised a numerous family, the boys becoming expert hunters, and who always supplied the family with abundance of venison, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, etc., which were plenty in those days. He gloried in pioneer life, and as the neighbors got "too thick", he sought the wilds of Minnesota, where with "elbow room" and his grown children around him, he could enjoy life unmolested.

So he lived in the log cabin with its "ready conveniences" the most of his days.  His "forte" was root digging and hardly a plant or herb existed in this section but what he knew its history and use, though giving more attention to ginsing and herb which he resurrected in quantities and sent to market.  Of his religious experiences but little need be said.   He was always kind and obliging, honest, straight-forward and moral in life and language.

But in the "great awakenings" from winter to winter that prevailed to swell church membership did not attract him, or draw him out to the meetings, but as he termed it, he was "as good as any of the church members", and pursued a course of life in accordance with his own conceptions of right and wrong.  Hence his goodness manifested itself in the commonalities of life, and his religion was in simple honesty and kindness in his dealings with all.  He has lived to a good old age (perhaps 70), made but few enemies in his long life, and passed away to his reward.

Taken From the Marshall County Telegraph Newspaper, Henry, IL
December 27, 1866