Major Jenkins, a retired agriculturist and prominent citizen of Guttenberg, for about half a century has been identified with the history of Clayton County, and for nearly that length of time has been actively engaged in operating his farming Garnavillo Township. He was one of the pioneers of this locality, to which he came during the 40’s and the history of the community in which he has dwelt so long would surely be incomplete without the record of his life.

Major Jenkins comes of good New England stock and is of English descent on the paternal side. He was born in Windsor County, Vt., January 29, 1807, being a son of John and Deborah ( Philips ) Jenkins. The father was born in Rhode Island and removed to Vermont, where he made his residence for many years, departing this life at the age of seventy-eight. His wife was a native of the Green Mountain State and there she passed her entire life.

Our subject passed his boyhood in his native state and there received a common school education. After the completion of his studies he learned the trade of a mason, becoming proficient in brick and stone work. In 1829 he came as far West as Michigan, stopping at Prairie Round, where he remained for a time and then went back to the old home. On the expiration of two years he went to Newtown, Ind., there working at his trade for the four years following, after which he went to Galena, Ill., where he made his home for some four years, during which time he continued his calling as a mason. About 1839 Mr. Jenkins came to this country and from this time forward devoted his life to carrying on his farm. He became a practical and thorough agriculturist and his property soon bore evidence of his ability, for he made many. Improvement upon the place.

In 1831 Major Jenkins was married to Miss Emily Fletcher, of Chester, Vt., and her death occurred about seventeen years later. She left two children only one of whom is now living, namely, Christiana, who lives at home. In 1850 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jenkins and Jemima Harper, who was born in the Prairie State and who for forty years. Has been her husband’s loving and devoted helpmate and companion on life’s journey. They became parents of five children, who in order of birth are as follows: Alice, John, Frank, Horace and Marcia. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being active workers in the same, and the former has held a number of offices.

He is self-made man, having started out in life empty-handed and has made his way unassisted. At the age of seventeen he left Boston, sailing on the seas for about two years, and in that manner obtained the money with which to complete his education and make a start in life now that he has acquired a competence he can pass the remaining years of his life, feeling that he has been of service to his fellowmen, has made the best of his opportunities, has reared his children to lives of usefulness; and when his journey is completed he will surely hear the “well done good and faithful servant” of his Master, whom he has so faithfully followed for so many years.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 464-465
~transcribed by Suzanne Terrell