U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Jenkins Family --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 776-778, THE JENKINS FAMILY. Soon after the War of the Revolution, five brothers of the Jenkins family arrived in New York on board ship, having been sold for their passage across the sea — not an uncommon thing in their day to enable the poor to reach the land of freedom and liberty on this side of the water. Of those brothers, three of them were never heard from after their separation in New York. Thomas, the progenitor of the Preston county family, settled at Harmony Grove Settlement, and was there at the time of the War of 1812. He had a brother, John, but farther than that nothing is known of him. Thomas Jenkins married Hannah Sterling, and operated a powder mill at one time at Hudson. He manufactured about all the powder used by the early settlers in this part of the state. His wife was one of the attendants on the Corbly boys, who were wounded by the Indians, and afterwards taken into the fort. Evan Jenkins, son of Thomas, died September 1, 1877, aged 88 years. He married Hannah, daughter of David Graham, another very early settler in this part of Preston county. David Graham died October 8, 1839, at the age of 76 years. His wife, Hannah, died October 28, 1839, at the age of 72 years. Their daughter, Hannah, married Evan Jenkins. She died June 12, 1866, at the age of 71 years. Evan Jenkins' youngest son was Jonathan. He married Mary Cramer, and died March 24, 1864, at the age of 43. The other children were: Jehu, Peggy King, Hersey King, Amanda Bowermaster, John, and Louraine Rodaheaver. Jehu Jenkins, son of Evan, was born March 15, 1829, and died July 28, 1905. He married Ruffina Otto, who was born July 19, 1828, and died February 25, 1883. Jehu Jenkins was a prominent man and did much towards shaping the destiny and future welfare of Preston county in his day. He was a successful farmer, and a justice of the peace many years — an office then almost as important as the County Court is now. He was a self-educated man and a successful teacher also. As a man, Mr. Jenkins is spoken of by every one who knew him in terms of highest praise, and by not a few Prestonians in terms of endearment and affection. The children born of this union were: (1) Thomas Benton, born December 9, 1853; he married Nancy Spindler and lives at Rockville, this county. (2) Mary Caroline, born November 21, 1858; she died January 28, 1875. (3) Charles Franklin, born February 8, 1861; married Mary Jane Livengood, December 31, 1884; she was the daughter of Samuel L. and Mary (Herring), and was born December 23, 1860. (4) George McClellen, born April 23, 1863; he married Sarah Kerns, and lives at Ellensburg, Washington. (5) John Edwards, born November 8, 1865; he married Frances C. Spiker, daughter of Robert R. and Angeline; (Umberson) Spiker of Morgan's Glade; she was born October 8, 1874. The marriage occurred February 2, 1904. The children born to this union are as follows: Paul Evan, born March 28, 1906; Mary Evangeline, born July 31, 1907; Lulu Grace, born November 21, 1909; Naomi Ruth, born May 19, 1912. (6) William Howard, born July 18, 1867, unmarried. (7) Lulu M., who was daughter by Catherine Miller, Mr. Jenkins' second wife. She was never married. The sisters of Jehu were: Peggy, who married Alfred King, now dead; Hessey, who married Albert King, who died in prison during the Civil War (his widow is now living in Bruceton, at the age of ninety-two years); Amanda, who married John Bowermaster; Louraine, who married George Rodeheaver, and is now dead. Charles F. Jenkins lives on the old Rodeheaver place, adjoining the old homestead place, and took up his residence here soon after his marriage. He owns 326 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation and as productive as any that can be found in the county. Last year he raised 1,053 bushels of corn on 10 1/4 acres of ground. He also raised 400 bushels of buckwheat, 920 bushels of oats, and about 50 tons of hay. He is a successful farmer and stock raiser. His children are as follows: (1) Dessie M., born October 15, 1885; (2) Clarence W., born November 23, 1886; (3) Samuel C, born August 19, 1889; (4) Frank G., born September 28, 1891; (5) Mary (6) Emma—twins, born March 19, 1892, died April 20 and April 23, 1892; (7) Perry Williams, born August 6, 1894; (8) Lillie G., born July 13, 1897; (9) Cora M., born May 8, 1903. The farm of John Edwards Jenkins is not quite so large as his brother's, but the land is of the best quality. Both of the brothers are scientific farmers and very prosperous business men. Neither of them are office seekers, but John E. has been a member of the County Court three terms. He received a good common school education, is a close student of current events, and with a trained mind, has been a very successful teacher. He has taught twenty-six terms of school. His work as a teacher has been good. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an official for many years. He is now and has been a class leader ten years, and has been Sabbath school superintendent for about twenty years. Politically he is a Republican. His party has frequently urged him to run for the Legislature, but without gaining his assent. The farms of Charles Franklin and John Edward Jenkins are a part of the old Morgan Survey — hence the name of Morgan's Glade. There was a post office here for three-fourths of a century. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #1926 FULL-NAME: Charles F. Jenkins BIRTH-DATE: February 8, 1861 BIRTH-PLACE: W.Va. DEATH-DATE: January 22, 1929 at age 67y-11m-14d DEATH-PLACE: Pleasant District, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Jane Livengood) OCCUPATION: Farmer FATHER: Jehu Jenkins (born in W.Va.) MOTHER: Revina Otto (born in W.Va.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Influenza / Lobar pneumonia INFORMANT: Mrs. C. W. Jenkins (of Albright, W.Va.) BURIAL: Centenary Cemetery From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #'59-008465 FULL-NAME: John Edward Jenkins BIRTH-DATE: November 8, 1865 BIRTH-PLACE: Albright, W.Va. DEATH-DATE: June 5, 1959 DEATH-PLACE: Albright, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Farmer FATHER: Jehu Jenkins MOTHER: Rubbina Otto CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Medullary Failure / Acute Cerebral Vascular Accident INFORMANT: James Jackson (of Albright, W.Va.) BURIAL: Centenary Cemetery, near Albright, W.Va. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------