John A. Jenkins, one of the
pioneer children of Clayton County, was born in
Garnavillo Township, May 7, 1851. His father, Major
Jenkins, was a native of the Green Mountain State, born
in 1807, and in 1837 emigrated to Indiana where he
remained four years, then went to Michigan. Two years
later he removed to Galena, Ill., and in 1847 settled in
Clayton County. He pre-empted land near Garnavillo, and
made for himself a home in the State of his adoption. He
participated in the Black Hawk war, and at the breaking
out of the Rebellion, although too old to serve, he did
much for the cause of the Union at home, and his stirring
patriotic eloquence was a terror to rebel sympathizers.
The subject of this memoir was married to Eliza
McLaughlin in May, 1872. She was born in Montrose Ia.,
March 19, 1853. Their union has been blessed with five
children-- Major, born Oct. 11, 1873; May, Jan. 20, 1874;
William H., May 17, 1877, and Nellie and Stella (twins),
born July 30, 1879. Stella died August 30, of that year.
In politics he is a Republican. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 723 |