John T. Jenkins

JENKINS, MILLER, BARTLETT, CANNON, RODGERS, VAIL

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/20/2009 at 18:00:15

JOHN T. JENKINS, a prominent farmer and extensive landowner, is the second son of John S. and Malinda (Miller) Jenkins. He was horn in Meade County, Kentucky, November 14, 1838. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Perry County, Indiana, and settled near Rome, on a farm, and remained there between four and five years. In the fall of 1850 John S. Jenkins and family removed to Wapello County, Iowa, and remained there a few months. In the following May they removed to Audubon County, and settled on a tract of land which is now a part of the old town site of Oakfield. This land was preempted by Mr. Jenkins, and when it came into the market he bought it of the government. Audubon County was at that time a part of Cass County. This tract of land was skirted on the north by a fine grove of timber, while to the south lay a beautiful prairie which was as level as a table, and was well designed by nature for the home of a pioneer. Mr. Jenkins broke out and put under cultivation a part of this new farm, which contained 160 acres of prairie and a small piece of timber. So attractive was the spot that Mr. Jenkins believed he had struck the garden spot of the world. However, after the lapse of four years he sold this place and bought another, two and a half miles east of the first one, the present site of the town of Oakfield. On this farm he lived several years, and then sold it and purchased a tract of land on the west side of the Nishnabotna River. By this time Mr. Jenkins had become quite an extensive landowner. He and his son, John T., owned the land on which the town of Brayton now stands. This place was platted by John T. Jenkins, in 1879. John S. Jenkins' next home farm was north and west of the town site of Brayton. He was an active citizen, well and favorably known, and when his death occurred, July 11, 1886, Audubon County lost one of her beloved pioneers and most honored citizens. Mrs. Jenkins passed to her eternal rest March 10, 1882. She was the mother of six children, all of whom lived to be grown, were married and had children Benjamin F. died December 24, 1887, leaving a wife and six children; John T., Sarah B., wife of L. L. Bartlett, of Shelby County; Isaac H., Harriet, wife of G. W. Cannon, and George W. John T. Jenkins, the subject of this notice, was reared on a farm and received the industrial and intellectual training common to his surroundings. On reaching his twentieth year he took a trip to Pike's Peak, in search of wealth, and returned the following winter. August 19, 1861, he enlisted in the defense of his country, being a member of the Second Iowa Battery, Nelson T. Spooner, Captain. He passed the first winter in northwestern Missouri, building breast works and guarding railroads. In February, 1862, he was sent south to Island No. 10, and took part in that engagement. Thence he came up the Tennessee River to Hamburg's Landing. For twenty one days before reaching Corinth he was under fire. He took part in the first and second battles of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, Tupelo, Mississippi, and was in the Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eighteenth Army Corps, under Generals McPherson, Sherman and Pope. He was mustered out September 4, 1865, and returned to his old home in Audubon County. January 19, 1865, Mr. Jenkins was married to Darthula Rodgers, of Audubon County, Iowa. She was born in Illinois, and was the second daughter of Thomas and Sarah Rodgers. After his marriage Mr. Jenkins settled on a farm and engaged in farming and stockraising. In 1879 he formed a partnership with C. H. Vail, embarking in the mercantile business under the firm name of Jenkins & Vail, at Brayton. This firm continued to transact business successfully for a period of nine years, when Mr. Vail was elected county clerk. Mr. Jenkins bought Mr. Vail's interest, and the business was continued. In 1887 Mr. Jenkins retired from the business, and since that time he has been largely engaged in dealing in livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have had born to them three children Jeanette, Marion E. and Frank G. Mr. Jenkins's landed estate numbers 540 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation. He has served two terms as supervisor, as township clerk and as township trustee. He has been a member of the school board three terms. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and takes an active interest in the success of the party. He was elected an alternate to the National Convention in Chicago in 1888. He was appointed postmaster under General Grant's administration, and held the office until the election of Grover Cleveland as President. Mr. Jenkins is a member of Pymosa Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M., at Atlantic, Iowa, and of Audubon Lodge, No. 217, I. O. O. F., at Brayton.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO
pages 718-719