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DIED: Watsonville, Feb 14, 1914, Charles Benjamin Fenn, a native of New York, aged 81 years. The funeral will take place tomorrow, Tuesday morning, at 10 o'clock, from his late residence, 48 Center Street, under the auspices of the G.A.R. All friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the service at which Rev. H.C. Holmes will officiate. Interment in I.O.O.F. [Pioneer] Cemetery.

War Veteran Dies
Charles Benjamin Fenn Died Last Saturday Night Here

The death of Charles Benjamin Fenn, a resident of this city for the past five years, occurred last Saturday night at his home at 48 Center street. His incident to old age caused the death. The deceased was a native of New York and was aged over 81 years. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was a member of the G.A.R. He formerly resided in Hollister but came here to Watsonville from the Hay City five years ago, residing here ever since. Beside his widow, Mrs. Lucy A. Fenn, he is survived by the following children: George A. Fenn of San Martin, Frank Fenn of Santa Margarita, Mrs. John Huntsman of Hollister and Mrs. W.E. Shaffer of San Diego. Mr. Fenn was an estimable man and highly respected by those that knew him.

The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock from the family residence. The interment will be made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. The G.A.R. will conduct the funeral.

Notes from Edson Strobridge (April 2000)

Charles Benjamin Fenn was born on April 05, 1832 in New York. On October 02, 1861 he enlisted as a private in Co B 4 MN Inf. He remained with the unit until mustered out in August 1865. He later affiliated with Col Harper Post #126 of the G.A.R. in Arroyo Grande. While in Arroyo Grande he worked as a farmer, carpenter and rancher. He died in Watsonville on February 14, 1914 at his home on 48 Center St and was buried in Watsonville Pioneer (IOOF) cemetery in Sec 13 Lot 20 Gr 3.

SOURCES:US Military Service record Index; SLO Co. 1892 Great Register, Farmer, Avenales, age 60 yrs. 5'8, rt. limb below knee amputated, b NY, Reg. Sept 6, 1892; San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 27, 1898, Reg. at CCVA Encampment, Sycamore Springs; San Luis Obispo Tribune, July 22, 1899, Reg. at CCVA Encampment, Arroyo Grande; A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Frederick H. Dyer, 1908; 1900 US Census, Arroyo Grande, age 68 yrs, Carpenter, (wife and one child); Calif Death Index, age 81 yrs, State File #6548, Santa Cruz Co. Death Record, age 81 yrs, rancher, Res.: at place of death, 5 yrs: in Calif 21 yrs.

Date of Birth: 1832-04-05

Date of Death: 1914-14-02

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz County

Plot: 13-20

Spouse: (Fenn)_ Lucy

Occupation: Carpenter

Religion: Me

Height: 5'7

Local Address: Center St 48

Last City: Watsonville

Native of: NY

Enlisted: 1861/09/26

Discharged: 1864/10/11

Military Unit: MN_ 4 Inf_ Co B

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: R-N/L

GAR#: (Ca)126

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: PAJ 1904/02/16