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Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     JOSEPH LENTON,  one of the early pioneers of Okanogan County, now resides three miles northwest from Nighthawk, where he has an excellent stock ranch of three hundred and thirty acres.  The place is well supplied with water, is improved with good fences, buildings, orchards and so forth, and is one of the valuable farms of the county.  Mr. Lenton is thrifty, industrious and energetic and has displayed excellent wisdom in all his enterprises.
     Joseph Lenton was born in Lynn, St. Clair county, Michigan, on September 30, 1850, the son of Daniel and Bridget (Dailey) Lenton, natives of England and Ireland, respectively.  He was left an orphan at a very early age and consequently had to meet the adversities of life when a very young boy.  He worked his way along gaining a good education and grew to manhood in his native place.  In the spring of 1877 Mr. Lenton went to California and after working a while in a dairy in Sierra county, he went to the mines and in Nevada county, continuing there for three years.  He held the position of foreman some time and later returned to Michigan, renewing old acquaintances in his native place.  He again went to California, and then to Yakima in 1880.  Later we find him in Spokane on construction work and in charge of Mr. Small's lumber yard at Ellisport.  Later he was in the employ of A. M. Cannon, and in June, 1883, came to Okanogan.  The following spring he located his present place, there being but few settlers in the county at that time.  The north boundary line of the United States is his north line.  Since then Mr. Lenton has devoted himself to handling cattle and doing general farming.
     On June 17, 1890, Mr. Lenton married Miss May, daughter of Levi and Eliza J. (Bradley) Emes.  She was a native of Port Dover, Canada, and her parents both died in that country.  To them have been born three children, Hazel S. M., J. Austin and Ella L.
     Mr. Lenton is active in political matters and has been road supervisor and is now justice of the peace.  He always takes an interest in educational progress and has labored faithfully for the upbuilding of the county since his residence here.  He was one of the earliest settlers and had to pack all his supplies from Walla Walla and Sprague, while the mail was gotten at Fort Colville.