Fenton History Center’s Vets Finding Vets Program launched a scholarship in 2022 in honor of Gov. Reuben E. Fenton (NYS National Guard in late 1830’s) and the many Veteran groups who met in our Fenton Mansion after the City of Jamestown purchased the home in 1919, to be used as a Soldier and Sailor Memorial.

The Soldier’s Friend Scholarship is named as such to honor Gov. Fenton as he was referred to as “The Soldier’s Friend” during his tenure as a Representative for Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties beginning in 1853. At that time he introduced a successful bill that would grant needed relief to survivors of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. During and after the Civil War he worked very hard to alleviate the hardships of the wounded and families of the deceased soldiers due to the slow slog of bureaucracy.

The Scholarship awards $1000 toward further education for a Chautauqua County graduate planning to serve our country as a member of the military, ROTC, or in a supportive civilian capacity. Department of Defense careers offered by each branch of the military encompass a wide range of skills and these positions are an essential part of keeping our military members safe wherever they are located in the world.