In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1826, Boone county
From History of Boone County, Missouri (1882)
JOSHUA FENTON.
Joshua Fenton was born in Boone county, Missouri, September 30th, 1826. He is the son of Caleb Fenton, a native of Virginia, who emigrated first to Kentucky and then to Boone county, Missouri, where he remained until his death, in 1840. Joshua was brought up on the farm and educated at the district schools. In 1849 he was married to Miss Agnes March, daughter of Absalom March, of Kentucky. Ten children were born to them, three boys and seven girls. One son and five girls are living. All are married except Joshua C, who, at this writing, is living with his father. Mr. Fenton is a member of the Baptist church at New Providence. He cultivates an excellent farm of 300 acres; is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, honored and respected by all who know him.
As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Joshua Fenton: James W. Bradley (b. 1810)
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.