Sacramento
County
Biographies
CAPT. WILLIAM M. JENKS
When Illinois was still in the incipiency of its
development from a frontier region to a cultured commonwealth an eastern family
became identified with LaSalle county. The head
of the household, Livingston Jenks, was a native of Rhode Island, but at a very
early age he had migrated to Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Sallie
Buffington, a native of that state. While making their home in Warren
Center, Bradford county, Pa., a son, William Morgan
was born February 20, 1834. Two years later, in 1836, the family loaded
their household effects in the primitive vehicles common to that period and
traveled across the country to Illinois, taking up a government claim at Vermillionville, LaSalle county.
The father was a man of considerable ability and not only transformed his claim
into a productive farm, but in addition he conducted a small country store and
also for thirty years served as justice of the peace of his township.
After lives of usefulness and honor he and his wife entered upon eternal rest many
years ago. Captain Jenks is a lineal descendant of Gov. Joseph Jenks of
Rhode Island.
An eager desire to obtain an education
characterized the youth of William M. Jenks. His own persevering efforts
made possible academic advantages. Later he studied law and during 1857
was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Illinois. For a long
period he engaged in general practice in Chicago and Morrison, Whiteside
county, Ill., whence he removed to Pawnee Rock, Barton county, Kans., in 1876,
hoping to recuperate his strength by a change of climate and by outdoor
employment. During the four years of this residence in that state he gave
his attention almost wholly to agricultural pursuits. Upon his return to
Chicago he resumed professional work and also became associated with a brother
in the real-estate business, helping him in investments that later made a
fortune for the brother.
Since June of 1888 Captain Jenks has made
his home in Sacramento, where he was admitted to the bar of California about a year
after his arrival and since then has been a member of the State Bar
Association. However, it was only for a few years that he engaged in
professional activities. For some time he acted as secretary of a
corporation engaged in the manufacture of grape baskets. In addition for
several years he was secretary of the nursery firm of C. W. Reed & Co., and
managed the papers necessary to secure incorporation for the concern, whose
largest stockholder, C. W. Reed, was his brother-in-law. As a citizen he
has been progressive, devoted to the welfare of California and intensely loyal
in his allegiance to the nation. When the Civil War began he immediately
offered his services to the Union and May 24, 1861, enlisted in Company G,
Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into the
service as first lieutenant. In recognition of his meritorious conduct he
was commissioned captain of his company on August 10, 1863. Although he
participated in all of the engagements of his regiment he was injured only once
and that proved to be a mere flesh wound. In the Siege of Vicksburg he
was standing by the side of a thirteenth-inch mortar when it exploded and the
concussion caused the bursting of one of his ear drums. As a result of
the accident he became slightly deaf, and as a consequence he gave up his
profession. At the expiration of his time he was honorably discharged,
June 18, 1864, with his regiment, and he returned to his Illinois home.
For thirteen years he served as chaplain of Sumner Post No. #, G. A. R., at
Sacramento, and he has long been prominent in the local work of the Grand Army
of the Republic.
A few months after his return home from
the war Captain Jenks etablished domestic ties, being
united February 1, 1865, with Miss Mary E. Allison, a native of Vincent, Pa.,
but from early childhood a resident of Mount Carroll, Ill. She was a
member of the first graduating class of Mount Carroll Seminary. For years
her father, Rev. J. V. Allison, was a minister in the Baptist denomination
until his death, which occurred at Pawnee Rock, Kans., at the age of
seventy-five years. The deepest bereavement in the lives of Captain and
Mrs. Jenks came in the loss of seven of their eight children when they were yet
young. The sole survivor, James Wallace Jenks, born in Chicago, Ill.,
July 23, 1882, followed in the footsteps of his father in giving his
services to his country in time of need. Volunteering in the
Spanish-American war, he enlisted July 27, 1900, in the United States Marine
Corps at Sacramento, being assigned to the navy yard at Vallejo. Three
months later he was ordered to the Philippine Islands and saw service on the
Oregon and Solace and the Island of Guam. On account of an injury
received while in the service he was given his honorable discharge at Vallejo,
August 29, 1903, when he returned to Sacramento and became associated with his
father in the nursery business under the firm title of W. M. Jenks &
Son. By his marriage with Miss Mary A. Crabbe, a native daughter of
Sacramento, James W. Jenks has one son, William
Morgan, named in honor of his grandfather. Among the people of Sacramento
Captain Jenks has an enviable reputation for character, integrity and
intelligence. For years he has officiated as a deacon in the First Baptist
Church of Sacramento and in other departments of the church work he also has
been helpful and prominent.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
“James W. Jenks second married Emma M Mayer, some time before 1918. A draft card from 1918 for James Wallace Jenks lists his wife's name as Emma. James and Emma had a son. The son is living.” (Source: a family member.)
The son of James W. Jenks and Emma M. Mayer was Darrold Robert Jenks, no longer living. 5/11/12. (Source: a family member.)
Transcribed
by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 733-736. Historic
Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.