Fort Bend County, County Attorney
Francis Marion Oatis Fenn was born and raised in Fort Bend County, nineteen miles below Richmond. His father was John Rutherford Fenn, who came to Texas in 1833 and located on the Brazos River. His mother, Rebecca Williams, came to Texas in 1846, and her parents also settled on the Brazos, in Fort Bend County. F. M. O. Fenn was educated at Roanoke College, Virginia, and the holder of the orator’s medal from that institution against nine competitors on the 9th of June 1879. He then took two years course of law at the University of Virginia, graduating in law at that university and taking orator’s medal from that institution also, on the 16th of May 1881. In 1886 stumped Harris County for Alexander McGowen for County Treasurer, who was elected by a large majority and held, the office as long as he lived. In the same year Judge Fenn stumped the City of Houston, for the Hon. D. C. Smith for Mayor against the Hon. William R. Baker. Smith was elected by one vote. The subject of our sketch was one of the writers of the “Jaybird Democratic Constitution” in 1889, and was secretary of the organization for five years. At the general election held in Fort Bend County in 1900 was elected County Attorney, and reelected in 1902. His wife was Miss Lottie Benson of Charlotte, Virginia and they have one son, Rutherford.