Edward (Ned) Fenlon, the oldest member of the State Bar of Michigan, died September 19, at the age of 106. Mr. Fenlon was a graduate of La Salle University law school. He served as a state legislator in the 1930s (one of only three Democrats in the House), as the elected prosecutor of Mackinac County from 1939-45), and as a circuit judge from 1951 to 1974.
Mr. Fenlon was born in St. Ignace, and grew up speaking both English and Anishinaabe. As a legislator, he sponsored legislation creating a Mackinac Bridge Authority, and is remembered as a key figure responsible for the building of the bridge. A memorial service is planned for the spring.
Here's the story from the Petoskey News.
Here's an appreciation (PDF) from the Michigan Bar Journal on the occasion of Judge Fenlon's 100 birthday.
