United States Representative Directory

John William Ferdon

John William Ferdon served as a representative for New York (1879-1881).

Republican
New York
District 14
Former

New York

Role Representative

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State New York

Representing constituents across the New York delegation.

District District 14

District insights and legislative focus areas.

Service period 1879-1881

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

John William Fenton (12 March 1828 – 28 April 1890) was an Irish musician of Scottish and English descent and the leader of a military band in Japan at the start of the Meiji period. He is considered “the first bandmaster in Japan” and “the father of band music in Japan.” Fenton is best known for having initiated the process through which Kimi ga yo came to be accepted as the national anthem of Japan.

Fenton is considered Irish because he was born in Kinsale, County Cork, in Ireland in 1828. He may also be considered Scottish because his father John Fenton (1790–1833) was born in Brechin, and because he lived in Montrose around 1881.