GEORGE JENKINS

George Jenkins has a notable military record, embracing service in the Civil War and against the Indians; and he also attempted to become an advocate of the country’s interests in the Spanish-American War, but his advanced years precluded his acceptance. He was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, Oct. 9, 1836, his parents being John and Sallie (Whitson) Jenkins. In the place of his nativity he spent his early youth, and acquired his education in the subscription schools. The sessions, however, lasted for only about three months in the year. In 1855 he came to Des Moines county, Iowa, settling in Franklin township, where he carried on farming until Oct. 2, 1861. His patriotic spirit having been aroused, he responded to the call of his country on that date, and became a member of Company C, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, enlisting at Burlington under command of Captain Shannon. He joined the army for three years, but at the end of a year and a half became ill, and was sent to the hospital at Fort Reynolds, in northwestern Dakota, where he was honorably discharged May 25, 1863. His company, with two others of the first battalion, was detailed in Dakota to fight the Indians, and had several hotly contested battles with the red men. When Mr. Jenkins entered the army, he weighed one hundred and eighty-six pounds; but the rigors and hardships of war undermined his strong constitution, and his health became impaired. He was a non-commissioned officer in the early days of his service. Following his return home he raised one company of militia, and had them well drilled; but the war closing, they did not enter the service. Returning to Franklin township he resumed farming pursuits here. April 10, 1865, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Bradley, a daughter of Aaron and Elvira (Adnik) Bradley, and a native of Pulaski county, Kentucky, born July 14, 1843. She came to Des Moines county at the same time her future husband arrived here. For about three years, they lived in Franklin township, and then removed to Yellow Springs township, where they resided for a long period. Her father’s death occurred there in the fall of 1866, when he was forty-four years of age, and her mother passed away in Sheridan, Iowa, in February, 1904, at the age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins became the parents of four daughters: Cora Belle, the wife of George Dimick, of Oklahoma; Ollie, the wife of Newton Reiker, of Warren county, Missouri; Julia, the wife of James Brown, who is living in Washington, Iowa; and Jennie, the wife of William Essmann, who was formerly proprietor of the Heyer House, one of the hotels of Burlington, but sold out in the spring of 1905, and removed to Chicago. Politically, Mr. Jenkins is a straight Republican, never faltering in his allegiance to the party. He has, however, continually refused to become a candidate for office, and when elected justice of the peace in 1905, would not qualify. He is a member of Post No. 157, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mediapolis, and takes great interest in the organization whereby he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades, spending many an hour at its campfires. He had many hairbreadth escapes while in the West, and relates many interesting incidents concerning his encounters with the red men. Throughout his business career he followed the occupation of farming. Patriotism is his predominant characteristic, and his example of loyalty to his country might well be followed. He is always the champion of its interests and institutions, and has never been known to falter in his allegiance to the stars and stripes, either upon the field of battle or in the days of peace.