H. C. JENNINGS, a highly respected resident of Competine Township, is pleasantly located on section 10 [Wapello County, Iowa], and successfully carrying on farming and stock-raising. He has been a resident of the Hawkeye State since 1851, and during this time has gathered about him a large circle of friends and associates who tacitly render him the respect and esteem which is due him as an honest man and a good citizen. Our subject is a native of Kentucky, and was born on the 10th of May, 1825, his parents being Peyton R. and Nancy JENNINGS, the former also being a resident of the Blue Grass State. The grandfather of our subject became a resident of Kentucky while Daniel BOONE was there, and secured a tract of land in Owen County. While out hunting horses one day he was captured by the Indians, scalped and tomahawked and left for dead. He revived, however, and lived to become the father of four children.

The early years of Mr. JENNINGS of our notice were spent upon his father's farm, and he received a very limited education in the schools of his native county. After arriving at years of manhood he was united in wedlock [Feb. 1846] with Miss Lavina A. LAMB, a native of his own State, and the daughter of John and Sarah L. (GRACE) LAMB, also of the Blue Grass region. In 1851 Mr. JENNINGS left his native State and proceeded northwestward and across the Mississippi into Iowa. After reaching Wapello County he purchased forty acres of land in Competine Township, and commenced in earnest the establishment of a home for himself and family. As time passed on he became successful in his farming and business transactions, and added to his possessions until he is now the owner of 240 acres, all of which are enclosed and under a good state of cultivation. He has a comfortable farm residence, good barns and out-buildings, and all the appliances of a model farm estate.

The household circle of our subject and his wife has been completed by the birth of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, of whom the record is as follows: J. W., a resident of Glenwood, Iowa; Edward lives in Kansas; Lewis P. is at home; Peyton R. is deceased; Alice became the wife of Samuel SPICER, of Abingdon, Iowa; Lena L. married Marion FOSTER, of Ringgold County, Iowa; Sarah L., Mrs. Noble HAYS, resides in Ness County, Kan.; Nora is deceased; Mary F., Amanda, Laura and Nancy are at home with their parents. They are a bright family of children, of whom the parents may be justly proud, and have been reared in those principles which will make them valued members of society.

The fine stock operations of Mr. JENNINGS have proved uniformly successful. He is thoroughly in love with this branch of his business and maintains a just pride in his judgment of what is required for the care and comfort of animals and in developing those qualities which shall render them handsome and valuable. Among his herd are some of the finest animals to be seen in this section, and he has attained quite a reputation in this section as a breeder and dealer. Politically Mr. J. is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and religiously be belongs to the Christian Church. Mrs. J. is connected with the Baptist denomination.

Henry Conrad JENNINGS died at the age of 77 years on May 18, 1902, Wapello County, Iowa. Lavina Adaline (LAMB) JENNINGS was born in Kentucky on September 4, 1831, and died at the age of 76 years on May 6, 1908, Wapello County. They were interred at Martinsburg Cemetery, Wapello County, Iowa.

Lena Leoti (JENNINGS) FOSTER was born in Wapello County, Iowa, on July 22, 1858, and died at the age of 56 years on March 17, 1915. She married on January 17, 1876 to Marion Vespucius FOSTER. Marion was born July 9, 1850 at Belmont, Ohio, and died at the age of 69 years on May 1, 1920. They were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Iowa. Lena and Marion were the parents of:
1) John E. FOSTER, born 26 Jan 1877, Ringgold Co. IA; died 05 Feb 1878, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Merritt Cemetery, Ringgold Co. IA
2) Laura L. FOSTER, born 28 Nov 1878, Ringgold Co. IA; died 03 Nov 1886, Ringgold Co. IA
    interment Merritt Cemetery, Ringgold Co., IA
3) Nancy A. (FOSTER) DANIELS, born 27 Jan 1880, Kellerton IA; died 30 Dec 1920, Kansas City KS
    interment Chapel Cemetery, Kansas; married 25 Jun 1898 Bert F. DANIELS (1877- )
4) Essie M. (FOSTER) COX, born 15 Sep 1882, Kellerton IA; died 19 Feb 1945, Kellerton IA
    interred Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton IA; married 14 Sep 1901 Arthur A. COX (1880-1947)

SOURCE:"H. C. JENNINGS." Portrait and Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa. Pp. 395-96. Chapman Brothers. Chicago. 1887.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2012