Jenkins, Major 1806 - 1903

JENKINS, FLETCHER, HARPER, STEBBINS, HEDEMAN, WILLERTON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/13/2016 at 10:31:54

Elkader Register, Thur., 24 Sept. 1903. From the Guttenberg Press, undated.

Last Monday at this place occurred the death of Major Jenkins, perhaps the oldest man in Clayton county, if not in all northeastern Iowa. Had he lived till the 20th of next January he would have been 98 years old. He has lived in Guttenberg a little over ten years, and until the past two or three years was as nimble as many men of forty. Having lived a long and eventful life, to hear him relate the events of his active manhood years, was a rare treat indeed. Those that have known him for half a century have learned to recognize in him the every element that produces men of integrity and honor.

Major Jenkins was born on a farm near Springfield, Vermont, Jan. 20th, 1806. When about 17 years old he sailed on a fishing vessel from Boston and remained on the sea for two years. He then returned to his father's home where he conducted the farm for about a year. In the year 1831 when he was about 24 years old he was married to Miss Eunice Fletcher. To them seven children were born, of whom Lucia Christian, who has always lived with her father, is the only survivor. He came to Garnavillo, Iowa, in the year 1845 and shortly thereafter his wife died. His second wife, whom he married at Garnavillo in 1849, was Miss Gemima Harper. To them eight children were born, five of whom are still living. During his residence in Clayton county, he lived on a farm near Garnavillo till the autumn of 1893 when he moved to Guttenberg. When about twenty years of age he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has since been a faithful and devout member. Wherever he has lived in his after life he has always been recognized as one of that church's most active members. He leaves besides his aged wife six children, Lucia Christina Jenkins of this place, Alice Stebbins, of Logan, John A., of Shannon City, Frank, of Stanhope, Horace G., of this place, and Marcie Hedeman, of Clayton. Besides the above named children he leaves 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was held at the M.E. church Wednesday afternoon, interment at the City cemetery. Among those from out of town in attendance at the funeral were Geo. Jenkins, of Monona, John Jenkins of Shannon City, Harvey Jenkins and wife of Edgewood, Eva Willerton of Edgewood and Mrs. Fred Hedeman of Clayton. Thus the contemplation of a well spent life, fading away at evening, in the calm promise of an eternal day, leads us to see the full fruition of human hope. But, so long as we are finite beings we can always truly say:

"Life, I know not what thou art.
But I know that thou and I must part,
And when, and where, or how we meet,
I own to me's a secret yet."

Guttenberg Press.

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Added by Joy Moore 11/15/2019:

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 1, 1903 Page 6 Col 5

At Guttenberg on the 14th Major Jenkins passed away at the very un­usual age of nearly 98. He was born in Vermont June 20th. 1806.