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William M. Jenkins
[APRIL 20, 1870.] PAGE 377. PICTURE OF “WILLIAM M. JENKINS.”
WILLIAM M. JENKINS, on April 20, 1870, entered the borders of Cowley County, Kansas, where he remained as a resident. He was known by his many acquaintances in the county as “Capt. Jenkins.” He lived on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 30, range 6 east, and rented his farm in later years to his son. Capt. Jenkins was born in Wells County, North Carolina, February 10, 1835, a son of Solomon and Delaney (Ellis) Jenkins.
His father, Solomon Jenkins, was of French descent, while his mother was of Scotch-Irish extraction. His parents were married in North Carolina. When William M. Jenkins was 10, his parents moved to Kentucky, where both subsequently died. He had 10 brothers and sisters; and in 1901 was the only one of the Solomon Jenkins family still alive.
William M. Jenkins left home at 15, although he continued to live in Kentucky. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, 10th Reg., Ky. Vol. Cav., and for thirteen months served in the Army of the Cumberland, in the 15th Army Corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith. He was then discharged on account of being sun-struck. He had been left on the battlefield as dead, and although he suffered intensely, was compelled to suffer even more after he returned home, as he lived in a Southern community. He was given a commission by the provost-marshal, and was detailed to catch spies.
Leaving Kentucky, he started on the cars for Topeka. On arriving there, he walked to Cowley County, accompanied on the entire journey by a Mr. Huff, who afterward helped him to build his house. Mr. Jenkins located at once in Omnia Township, and obtained possession of his place from a Mr. James, to whom he traded his horse for the land. He was joined by his wife and children ten days later, and they lived in a small log house built by Mr. Jenkins on the west side of Timber Creek. This house was built of native lumber, and was a very humble dwelling. Mr. Jenkins had 40 acres of natural timber and plenty of running water. He subsequently bought 120 acres more, of which 40 were afterward sold. He also owned 320 acres in Silver Creek Township. On the east side of the creek was his pasture; on the west side he raised cereals. He lived in the log shanty about eight years, and then built a frame house measuring 14 by 16 feet, on the east side of the creek, the material for it being obtained at Wichita. In the spring of 1883, he built has last house, getting the lumber from Burden.
[Confusing...He walked...then somehow he got a horse that he traded for the land????]
As Mr. Jenkins had no team, he exchanged work, and to one man he paid $40 to have 10 acres broken, and worked off the debt at 20 cents per day. In 1871 he raised 800 bushels of corn; he also raised considerable wheat in later years. He raised all kinds of hogs, favoring the Berkshire strain. He had an orchard of two acres.
Mr. Jenkins rented his farm, with the exception of 60 acres, to his son, Daniel.
William M. Jenkins married Martha F. Clifton, who was born in Kentucky, and died in Cowley County, June 7, 1900, aged 67. Eight children were born to them.
1. Delaney (Gilliard), of Oklahoma—who had six children.
2. Daniel L., who married Mattie Kelso. They had two children: George W. and Ruby May Jenkins.
3. James W., of Silver Creek Township, who married Cassie Beasley. They had four children.
4. Ida (Brookyns), deceased, who left a daughter, Frances May Brookyns, who lived with Mr. Jenkins.
5. Robert, of Silver Creek Township, who married Emma Elkins. They had three children.
6. Mark, who died, aged 24 years.
7 and 8. Josephine and David, who died in infancy.
Mr. Jenkins was a Republican. He was a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Atlanta Post, No. 224. He was also a member of the A. O. U. W. He was a communicant of the Methodist Church of Mount Vernon.
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Kansas 1875 Census Omnia Township, Cowley County, March 1, 1875.
Name age sex color Place/birth Where from
Wm. Jenkins 40 m w North Carolina Kentucky
M. F. Jenkins 38 f w Kentucky Kentucky
Daniel Jenkins 16 m w Kentucky Kentucky
James Jenkins 14 m w Kentucky Kentucky
G. B. Jenkins 13 m w Kentucky Kentucky
Ida Jenkins 5 f w Kentucky Kentucky
John Jenkins 6m m w Kansas
FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
[COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS: APRIL 16, 1874.]
Winfield Courier, April 24, 1874.
Election Judge: Wm. Jenkins, $2.00.
[BALTIMORE, OMNIA TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “CAESAR.”]
Winfield Courier, April 25, 1878.
Mr. Wm. Jenkins has been very ill but is recovering slowly.
Winfield Courier, May 2, 1878.
Real Estate Transfers.
John H. Smith and wife to William Jenkins, s e of n w 26 30 6, 40 acres, $250.
[OMNIA TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “ALEXANDER.”]
Winfield Courier, July 25, 1878.
OMNIA TOWNSHIP, KANSAS, July 8th, 1878.
ED. COURIER: It seems that the article which appeared in the COURIER four weeks since purporting to be from Baltimore and signed “Only Justice,” is causing considerable excitement in Omnia Township, and as I am accredited by some with its authorship, I will say to the man that “loved Peace” so well, that I did not write the article in question, nor do I know who did. But at the same time I will endeavor to correct some false impressions he is laboring under. The “Peaceable Gentleman” says that he knows of no one that has deeded their land without they brought the money with them or else borrowed it at 30 to 50 percent, which proves fatal in the end.
I will go into his own immediate neighborhood and refer him to one Mr. William Jenkins, who, after reading the peace article, requested me to say that he neither brought his deed or money with him nor borrowed it, but he made it out of corn that he raised on the place with a hoe, and he has paid his taxes on it for five years or more. Now I know of no one in Omnia that feels disposed to encourage claim jumping, where parties are trying to do anything more with their claims than hold them for traffic. But I do know of a good many who think that from five to seven years is sufficient time to make or break on a quarter section of land in Cowley County without being at any expense in the way of paying taxes, while their neighbors school their children and keep up the expense of running the thing just to give those dear lovers of peace a chance.
We are having a nice rain today, which we “begin to need.” Wheat is all stacked and threshing begun. E. A. Henthorn threshed the first oats of the season July 5th, which made 45 bushels to the acre. We have a very flattering prospect for corn. Mr. I. H. Edwards was bitten by a rattlesnake last Monday. He is recovering from its effect after the use of a quart of liquor. ALEXANDER.
[BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENT: “X. Y. CAESAR.”]
Winfield Courier, August 8, 1878.
E. Harned is building a granary; G. Crow a granary, Mr. Jenkins a bind, and Wm. Gilliard a large box for wheat. X. Y. CAESAR.
[REPORT FROM “X. Y. CAESAR” - BALTIMORE, OMNIA TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, July 3, 1879.
Capt. Jenkins is the first to begin plowing for wheat in this section.
[REPORT FROM “X. Y. CAESAR” - BALTIMORE.]
Winfield Courier, July 17, 1879.
Miss Edith Pester was bitten by a rattlesnake last week. Rattlesnakes are savage up here this year. Capt. Jenkins has recently purchased two new wagons. La, “how da shine.”
[REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 11, 1879.
Committee on credentials reported the following named delegates entitled to vote in this convention; which report was adopted. Omnia: J. A. Biesecker, William Jenkins.
[FROM “X. Y. CAESAR” - BALTIMORE.]
Winfield Courier, August 5, 1880.
Mr. H. E. Asp met with the Republicans at the Baltimore schoolhouse last Monday evening, and after a pleasant little speech, proceeded to organize a Garfield club. Mr. L. A. Daniels was elected president; John L. Parsons, vice-president; Geo. F. Thompson, secretary; Wm. Jenkins, Treasurer. X. Y. CAESAR.
[“X. Y. CAESAR” - BALTIMORE.]
Winfield Courier, August 12, 1880.
Mr. William Jenkins has purchased two new sulky plows for the boys to engineer. Mr. Jenkins is one of Omnia’s most enterprising farmers.
[REPORT FROM “CAESAR” - BALTIMORE, OMNIA TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, September 16, 1880.
More stone fences will be built this coming winter than any previous year in this township. Wm. Jenkins. W. R. Stolp, and R. S. Johnson contemplate building a considerable amount.
[REPORT FROM “JULIUS” - BALTIMORE.]
Winfield Courier, March 17, 1881.
Mr. William Jenkins is fencing several acres to pasture with a stone fence.
[REPORT FROM “JULIUS” - BALTIMORE, OMNIA TOWNSHIP.]
Winfield Courier, April 14, 1881.
Wm. Jenkins has finished his pasture and is now fencing in his timber for hogs.
[THE OLD SOLDIERS - GETTING READY FOR THE REUNION.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, October 6, 1881 - FRONT PAGE.
Below will be found the proceedings of township meetings, organizations, and muster rolls as far as heard from. The last week before the reunion we will publish the muster rolls
complete.
OMNIA TOWNSHIP. WILLIAM JENKINS, PRIVATE, CO. K, 10TH KY. CAV.
Winfield Courier, January 5, 1882.
The Enterprise says that some trouble about the locating of a road caused a controversy between Captain Jenkins and Robert Ward, last Monday, which terminated in blows. Ward used a knife, and struck Jenkins several blows, lacerating his clothing, but fortunately doing no harm to his body. It is a lamentable affair, as we understand they are both good citizens. Jenkins made complaint, Tuesday, before Esq. Smith and charged Ward with assault with intent to kill. A State’s warrant was issued, and he was arrested Tuesday.
[BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENT: “DIXIE.”]
Winfield Courier, July 27, 1882.
Mr. Wm. Jenkins and youngest son have gone to Kentucky on a visit.
[BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENT: “CHAFF.”]
Winfield Courier, March 8, 1883.
Mr. Wm. Jenkins had the misfortune to be thrown from a vicious horse last week, and was so severely injured that he has been almost helpless since, and serious apprehension was at first felt as to the result; but at last report he was regaining the powers of locomotion and will probably be out in a few days.
[REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 6, 1883.
Committee on credentials reported the following named delegates and alternates for their respective townships.
OMNIA: Wm. Jenkins, A. Hattery. Alternates: D. P. Baldwin, W. E. Johnson.
Winfield Courier, February 14, 1884.
Township Officers. Omnia. Constables: Daniel Jenkins and E. Hattery.
[OMNIA TOWNSHIP CORRESPONDENT: “AUNT FRY.”]
Winfield Courier, May 8, 1884.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Jenkins are doing a thriving mercantile business with a prosperous future before them.
Winfield Courier, June 19, 1884.
Omnia Item. Mr. Jenkins, the Baltimore merchant, is experiencing considerable inconvenience in obtaining supplies to meet the demand of his extensive trade.
