MORRIS A. JENKINS

Sacramento County

Biographies

MORRIS A. JENKINS

MORRIS A. JENKINS.--The rapid upbuilding of the West furnishes an excellent field to the engineer, the architect and those engaged in allied lines of business. In the field of civil engineering, Morris A. Jenkins of Sacramento is using his talents, and his professional skill has been called into play in connection with the construction of many important public projects. He was born in Elk Grove, Cal., July 22, 1874, and is a son of Thomas and Addie H. (Harrington) Jenkins, the former a native of Wales. The father crossed the plains to Utah and thence made his way to California in 1860, settling upon a ranch in Sacramento County, being actively engaged in farming until 1920, and is now living retired in Sacramento. He has taken active part in public affairs, having served as supervisor of Sacramento County. He is widely and favorably known in this section of the state and the mother is also living.

Morris A. Jenkins was reared in his native county and in 1896 completed a course in the Elk Grove Union High School, being a member of the first class graduated from that institution. He then entered Heald’s Engineering School at San Francisco and later attended the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, Ohio, receiving the degree of Civil engineer in 1902. Meanwhile, in 1897, he had engaged in contracting and after completing his professional training he reentered this field on a larger scale. He chose

Sacramento as the scene of his operations and from 1904 until 1918 was a member of the firm of Jenkins & Wells. In the latter year Mr. Wells retired but the business continued under that style until March, 1921, when the present firm of Jenkins & Elton was formed. They are engineers and general contractors and specialize in bridge and heavy construction work. They have been awarded many large contracts and built the bascule bridge over the Sacramento River at Walnut Grove and have just completed a similar one at Isleton. They also do pile-driving and foundation work. They have contributed materially to the upbuilding and improvement of this section of the state and their work represents the highest degree of efficiency in their line.

In 1905 Mr. Jenkins married Miss Amanda L. Rickey, of Sacramento, a daughter of Aaron R. and Martha Rickey, both now deceased; and to this union have been born two children Ora E. surviving. Mr. Jenkins is a Knight Templar Mason and also a charter member of Ben Ali Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a charter member of Oak Park Lodge, of which he is a past grand. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He has never been unmindful of the duties of citizenship nor of his obligations to his fellow men, and his labors have been beneficially productive. He is one of the foremost civil engineers in the Pacific Cost region and California is proud to number him among her native sons.

Transcribed by Patricia Seabolt.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Page 379. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.