ALVIN W. JENNINGS.

Pg 350

         General farming and stock-raising engages the attention of Alvin W. Jennings, who owns an excellent tract of land of four hundred and forty acres in Elm Grove township. One of Louisa county’s sons, his natal day was the 13th of March, 1858, and his parents Benjamin and Nancy Ann (Jeffers) Jennings. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were natives of Pennsylvania but they came to Iowa during the pioneer days and here the mother passed away in August, 1863, but the father survived until the 3d of September, 1894. Of their marriage there were born ten children: Elijah, who died while serving in the army during the Civil war; Mifflen, who is a resident of Jewell county, Kansas; William Henry, a resident of Davenport, Nebraska; Taylor, who lives in Dexter, Iowa; Enoch, of Van Meter, Iowa; Jeffers, who is deceased; Franklin, also deceased; Ellen, the wife of A. H. Trindell, of Loveland, Colorado; Alvin W.; and Emma Jane, who is deceased. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Jennings was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Harris, and unto them was born one daughter, Ginevra, now the wife of C. N. Johnson, of Columbus City.

         Alvin W. Jennings was educated in the common schools of Louisa county, and while pursuing his studies he also assisted in the cultivation of the farm, thus fitting himself for his chosen life work. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority at the end of which time he began working out as a farm hand. He followed this occupation for six years and then rented eighty acres of land which he cultivated for about nine years. During this period he had, by means of hard work and rigid economy, acquired the necessary capital to enable him to buy eighty acres which he cultivated in connection with a quarter section that he rented. He kept adding to his original . . .

Pg 351

. . . tract from time to time as he was able until he now owns four hundred and forty acres on section 24, Elm Grove township. Here he engages in both general farming and stock-raising, both of which are proving successful. All of his land is tillable with the exception of fifteen acres which is in timber. The improvements on the place have been put there during the residence of Mr. Jennings, who has a very comfortable farm house and ample barns and sheds for the accommodation of both stock and grains. His land is highly cultivated, fences and buildings are kept in repair and the grounds are well cared for, thus making his one of the very attractive homesteads in the community.

         The 25th of January, 1883, was the wedding day of Mr. Jennings and Miss Isabel Hester, a daughter of Stephen and Emily (Peckenpaugh) Hester. The latter was twice married, her first husband having been Elijah Hester, who was killed when serving as a soldier of the Civil war. She afterward married his cousin, Stephen Hester. The children of her first marriage were: Albert, of Shumach, Washington; and a daughter who died in infancy. The children of the second marriage are: Mrs. Jennings; Dora, the wife of Baldwin Dunn, of Dallas county, Iowa; Ada, who became the wife of Henry Riley, who was killed in a mine explosion in Utah, after which she married Dr. William Hayden, of Cooper, Iowa; Emma, the wife of John Moody, of Earlham, Iowa; Robert, living in Jefferson, this state; Millie, the wife of Otis Wright, of Odell, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Dr. Aldridge, of Lawrence, South Dakota; Ina, the wife of William Robinson, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Lela, who became the wife of Todd Summers, of Denver, Colorado; Harvey, also of Denver; Lona, at home; and Alma, deceased.

         Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jennings seven children have been born in the following order: Lois, the wife of Carl Buffington, of Elm Grove township; Verdi, who married R. M. Buffington, a resident of the same place; Bruce A., of Louisa county; Boyd B., who is also a resident of this county; one who died in infancy; Donald Dean, living in Louisa county; and Jefferson M., who is at home.

         The family attend the Evangelical church and Mr. Jennings votes with the republicans. He always takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs as did his father, the latter having been one of the twelve first supervisors appointed in the county. For the past twenty-one years A. W. Jennings has been secretary of the school board and he has also filled all of the township offices. He is one of the prosperous agriculturists and highly regarded citizens of Elm Grove township among whose inhabitants he numbers many friends.