JENKS, Delois Galliher Heaton 1840 - 1898

JENKS, JINKS, GALLIHER, HEATON, STEPHENSON, PENDLUM, CAVINESS

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 9/12/2010 at 11:44:55

Fairfield Ledger
February 16, 1898

Death of Mrs. JENKS

The death of Mrs. Samuel JENKS occurred at her home in Buchanan township, Jefferson county, Iowa, at six o'clock a.m., Friday, February 11th, 1898. Delois O. GALLIHER was born in Gosport, Indiana, January 8th, 1840, being the eldest daughter of the family, of whom one sister, Mrs. Daniel CAVINESS of Batavia, and two brothers still survive.

Her early life was spent in Gosport and Logansport, Indiana. At the age of twelve her family moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, settling near Glasgow in 1852. Her mother died shortly after this and the care of the family in a great measure fell upon Delois. At the age of sixteen she was married to John HEATON, who lived less than a year. In the nineteenth year of her age she was united in marriage to Samuel JENKS, who died September 30th, 1894, leaving her the cares of life to bear alone. Five children were the fruit of this union: William G., who died in infancy; Edwin Sayles, Davenport; Mrs. Laura Effie STEPHENSON, Libertyville; Minnie Bird and John Samuel, who reside on the farm three and one-half miles east of Fairfield. The family settled on the present farm in 1860. At an early age Mrs. JENKS became a member of the M.E. church and ever clung to that faith. She was of a cheerful, hopeful disposition, and always a lover of nature. During the last week of her illness she often said, "How beautiful is nature," and "Let us listen to what the sparrows say." She bore the pain and anguish of her long sickness with great patience and fortitude. Though desiring to live to aid and comfort her children, she was prepared to go. All the living children were present during her last hours and she was able to reognize and welcome them, conscious up to the last moments. Her life quietly went out and her spirit went to join her loved ones in the home prepared for her by her Heavenly Father. The funeral took place from the Methodist church Sunday 2:30 p.m., under the care of the Order of the Eastern Star. Rev. J.A. Boatman delivered the funeral sermon, and the remains were buried beside her husband in the Evergreen cemetery.

* Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Special note: While the headstone and obituary for Delois use the "JENKS" surname spelling, it should be noted that the 1894 probate file for her husband used the "JINKS" surname, and Delois hand-signed several documents using the "JINKS" surname. Family researchers should consider both surname spelling when doing their research as the "JINKS" spelling may produce additional information.

Daughter of Isaac GALLIHER and Elizabeth M PENDLUM GALLIHER.

Note: A STEPHENSON family descendant compiled a family group sheet that is on file at the Fairfield Public Library. They used "America" as the middle name for Delois. However, it was not sourced for verification. The headstone middle initial is "A". The 1898 obituary for Delois uses the middle initial "O", so researchers of Delois should use some caution when attributing her middle name.

Married first to John HEATON on Dec. 20, 1855 in Jefferson County, Iowa. He died in 1857.

Married to Samuel JENKS on Nov. 14, 1858 in Jefferson County, Iowa.

Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. Old.P.370