Manuscript Group 415 IVOR D. FENTON PAPERS 1939-1975
2.5 cubic feet
Dr. Ivor David Fenton (1889-1986) served as a Republican United States Representative
from the 76th Congressional District of Schuylkill County from 1939 to 1962. Fenton
was born in Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, graduated from Bucknell University,
Lewisburg, and received his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia
in 1912. After serving an internship at Ashland State Hospital in 1912 and 1913,
he began practicing medicine in Mahanoy City in 1914. Fenton enlisted in the Unites
States Army Medical Corps and was commissioned a lieutenant on August 8, 1917,
later rising to the rank of captain. He served 20 months with the 315th Infantry,
79th Division. Discharged on June 6, 1919, Fenton returned to Mahanoy City to
resume his medical practice. During his twelve terms as a member of the House
of Representatives, Fenton was responsible for securing funds for the construction
of the Joe Zerbey Airport, the development of the Anthracite Research Laboratory
at Schuylkill Haven, and the development of the wall along the Susquehanna River
that spared Sunbury from flooding in 1972 and 1976.
The Papers include correspondence, memoranda, reports, texts of speeches, photographs,
and newsclippings relating to Dr. Fenton's career as a Representative from central
Pennsylvania, 1939-1963. The topics covered reflect Dr. Fenton's involvement with
the social aspects of medicine, the anthracite coal industry in particular, and
government efforts to revitalize economically depressed rural areas. These include
both the establishment, and subsequent closing, of the Anthracite Research Laboratory
in Schuylkill Haven, 1940-1965; the successful attempt to route Interstate 81
(sometimes known as the "Anthracite Highway") through Pennsylvania's "coal region,"
1958; and activities of the local Republican Party in Schuylkill County. Among
other noteworthy items is a photograph album covering the tour of the United States
Army Service Command General Hospitals under Army Surgeon General Norman Kirk
in 1945 and an album covering a visit by members of the House Appropriations Committee
to the Tennessee Valley Authority's Muscle Shoals hydroelectric facility in 1957.
As of October 2009, this collection remained unprocessed.
General Files, 1939-1975, undated. (2 cartons) {#415m.1}
