1891 HISTORY OF CLARK & JACKSON CO., WI, pg. 211-212

HENRY J. FESSENDEN, the bookkeeper and chief clerk in the store of the Sterling lumber Company, Sterling, Wisconsin, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, April 6, 1822, the son of Timothy (deceased) and Angeline (Robbey) Fessenden, the former a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and the latter a resident of Montpelier, Vermont. The father was a blacksmith and machinist by trade, and worked many years in Boston the mother was a daughter of Richard Robley, a Revolutionary soldier, who was first in the British army, but afterward deserted and joined the American side. The parents had nine children, seven of whom still survive, namely: Louise, Angeline, Lucy, Henry, Sarah, Nancy and Francis. One son, George, died after reaching maturity, leaving a family.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Boston, where he first leaned the blacksmith's trade, but was forced to abandon it on account of ill health. He next learned the carriage and wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked six years, and then taught vocal and instrumental music several years in Hancock County, Illinois, making his home in Carthage. He went to the latter State in 1838, settling first in Greene County thence to Griggsville, Pike County, in 1839 in 1845 to Columbus, Adams County in October, 1850, to Hancock County in 1854, to Carthage, same county. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company D, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served from May 24, 1861, until May 8, 1862, when he was discharged by special field order, having been detailed leader of the Sixteenth Illinois Regimental Band. He re-enlisted August 15, 1862, and served until August 3, 1863, when he was discharged for disability. He participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and Vicksburg. After the war Mr. Fessenden returned to Carthage, and in October, 1863, came to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, settling in West Salem, where he clerked in a store and also worked at the carriage-maker's trade until 1871. He next removed to Birmingham, Marshall County, Kentucky, in 1874 to this county, in February, 1875, to Union City, Tennessee, next to Osborne County, Kansas, and in 1881 to Clark County, where he has since lived on the old Eau Claire Lumber Company's farm until in April, 1883. In that year he came to Sterling and took charge of the store and books of the Eau Claire Lumber Company, and was retained by the Sterling lumber Company when they took charge of the business in March, 1888.

Mr. Fessenden was married in Columbus, Adams County, Illinois, November 17, 1846, to Minerva Ann Nance, who was born near New Albany, Indiana, the daughter of William Nance, deceased. They have had seven children, four now living,--Emma, the wife of H. O. Pixley, of covert, Kansas Ella A., wife of Joe Sterling, a member of the firm of the Sterling Lumber Company Eva G., now Mrs. J. B. Swift, of Chicago and George E., of Thorp, this county, who married Amand E. Sloup, of Loyal, this county. Socially Mr. Fessenden is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. fraternities, politically a Republican and religiously Mrs. Fessenden is a member of the Christian Church.