John Z. Fenwick was born on his father�s farm which embraced the site of the village of Brewer, Perry Co., Mo., on January 24, 1839. His parents Clement J. and Cecelia (Moore) Fenwick were both natives of Missouri, and after their marriage settled on the farm above mentioned on which they still live, and have a very pleasant and happy home.

They are the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living with the exception of one. They are Melissa (Mrs. Thomas W. Robinson), Lavina (Mrs. John Elder), Joseph (who married Clotilda Dean), Rubena (deceased, wife of Rufus Walker), George, John Z., Rosetta (who married Katie Elder), Reuben (who married Mary O. Brewer), Mary A. (Mrs. John H. Layton), Ellen (Mrs. Antone Bierk), Jennie (Mrs. Has? Morgan), and Mary E.

On January 30, 1882, John Z. was united in marriage with Mary C. Swink, a native of the county and a daughter of James and Mary Swink, who were the parents of nine children, four living: Mary O., Mary M., Peter and Joseph. The parents died when these children were small and very little of the family history is known.

Mrs. and Mrs. Fenwick are located in Brewer, where they have a nice new cottage and Mr. Fenwick intends to engage permanently in the blacksmith business. To them have been born three children, a daughter Mary Lunetta, and two that died in infancy. Both Mr. Fenwick and wife were reared in the Catholic faith, and are now devout members of the church.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.