Jenkins, Chester H. 1898 - 1934

JENKINS, BARKER, OBRIEN, LATHROP, TALLY, GRAY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Clayton County Register, Thur., 19 Apr. 1934.

Strawberry Point: Business places were closed Thursday afternoon during the funeral services of C. H. Jenkins, proprietor of the New Home Cafe, which were held at the Masonic Temple, conducted by Rev. Elton D. Wells, pastor of the M.E. church at Manchester, assisted by the local pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Elwick. A quartet composed of Mrs. B. W. Talcott, Miss Marie Jewell, Rev. Elwick and Dr. R. W. Dutton, sang "The Old Rugged Cross," and Dr. Dutton sang as solo "A Perfect Day.," Miss Eva Preston playing the accompaniment of both selections. Interment was made in the Strawberry Point cemetery. The pall-bearers were: D. G. Courtnage, R. T. Alderson, L. D. Davis, C. E. McCarron, H. J. Esch and J. J. Matthews. The Masons had charge of the service at the grave and the American Legion gave taps.

Chester H. Jenkins was born near Mulberry, Ind., May 8, 1898, and if he lived until the 8th of next month he would have been 36 years old. He attended the grade schools in Mulberry and at an early age left his home for employment in various parts of the country. On Dec. 19, 1916, Chester enlisted in the Texas National Guard, where he was promoted to corporal and went to the Mexican border with the 4th infantry.

Later he was mustered into federal service for the World War, and after serving in several camps in this country, went to France and later transferred to the 2nd division. In this division he advanced to the grade of sergeant, and was in the following battles: Chatteau Thierry, the Marne, Belleau Wood and Champagne. In one of these battles he was wounded in the knee and pulled in a shell-hole by one he never knew. The loss of blood caused him to lose consciousness and he awakened in the hospital at Moran, France. After twenty-two months service, he returned to the U.S. in March, 1919, with a divisional citation and the French Croix De Guere. After the war, Chester was discharged in Texas. For a while he was employed there. Later he accepted employment in Chicago and met Mrs. Nettie Barker O'Brien. They were married in Dec., 1926, when they came to Strawberry Pont. They purchased the New Home Cafe, which they operated together until his death. Chester was a member of the local Masonic lodge and a past commander of the American Legion, and as a youth he was baptized in the faith of the M.E. church. He has known of his critical condition for months but bravely tried to conceal the same from his wife and relatives. Last Thursday he had to submit to the impossible odds against him, and he passed away at 3 a.m., Tuesday, quietly and peacefully and with a smile which he always had.

He is survived by his sorrowing wife, his parents, of Mulberry, Ind., whose physical conditions deny them the long trip, his brother and wife, Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins, of Frankfort, Ind., Mrs. Eliza Barker (Mrs. Jenkins's mother), Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lathrop of Strawberry Point, Private John O'Brien of Selfridge Field, Mich., (step-children), and other relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Tally and Miss Claudia Gray of Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Jenkins's death came as a shock to the community. In the five years of his residence here he had many, many friends. They respected him for his integrity. They loved him for his friendliness. He was interested in this community. He enjoyed seeing it make progress and do things. Naturally a leader, he was out in the forefront of activities. A large place in the life of Strawberry Point has been left vacant. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the wife and other relatives in the loss.