FENTON "Rudy" BOTTOM
For many years, Fenton was considered the "unofficial" historian for the Village of Kansas.  He was affectionately known as "Rudy", a nickname given to him when he was a student at Inclose school.  Rudy loved history and put together many books containing the history of Kansas and the surrounding areas.  One could often see him driving around the countryside visiting old buildings and churches, or trudging through cemeteries gathering data.  Rudy had a wealth of knowledge about families and the history of the area, and he was always willing to share that knowledge with visitors to the area or anyone who wanted information.

Fenton H. Bottom was born September 5, 1909, son of William D. and Lottie Melton Bottom, south of Kansas in the Inclose community and lived in the Kansas area his entire life. He had three sisters, Martha Williams and Hester Walden (both deceased), and Hallie Foster. He had four brothers, Archie, Robert, and Irvin (all deceased), and Wayne.

Fenton was a farmer and after he retired worked for the Village of Kansas. His wife, Betty Kuykendall Bottom (deceased) was born on November 7, 1922, the first of five children of Howard and Mae Loser Kuykendall (both deceased). Betty was a 1942 graduate of Kansas High School. Fenton and Betty were married April 2, 1944. Their seven children are, Thomas, born July 17, 1945; Ann born April 15, 1949; Karen born February 8, 1952; Mary born September 14, 1954; Debbie born June 26, 1957; Ruth born September 7, 1959; and David born September 28, 1961.

Fenton was an active member of Pleasant Hill Christian Church and served on the church board until about two years before his death. He directed a program at the Hilltop Nursing Home each month on the third Friday for several years. Fenton and Betty were charter members of the Edgar County Historical Society, where he held the position as Director of the Society from the Kansas Township for a period of twenty years.

Fenton died March 7, 2003 at the Paris, IL Memorial Hospital. He left a legacy steeped rich in history, and a lot of memories for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

It is our hope to one day have excerpts of Rudy's books here on the Kansas Illinois website for all to view and for his collection of history to be passed to the next generation.