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 A. JENKINS, proprietor of one of the oldest and most reliable houses for the sale of dry-goods, carpets and wall paper in Charleston, was born Aug. 30, 1834, in Putnam County, Ind., and is the son of John M. and Nancy (Martin) Jenkins. His grandfather, Elijah Jenkins, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man became one of the early settlers in Kentucky. His maternal grandfather, William Martin, was of Scotch extraction and was likewise an early settler in Kentucky. His wife was of English descent, and her father, Captain Coot, was a sailor in the British service for many years. John M. Jenkins was taught the trade of a brick and stone mason, and afterward rose to the position of builder and contractor. After his removal to Indiana, he engaged in farming, and passed the remainder of his life in that State. He died in 1884, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1849. In early life he was an old-line Whig, but upon^the organization of the Republican party became one of its warm supporters. He was actively interested in public affairs during his life, and served in several of the county and township offices. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were earnest workers in that religious denomination. E. A. Jenkins was reared on his father’s farm, where he attended school and assisted in the various branches of farm labor until he reached the age of twenty-one. From home he went to Greencastle, and there engaged as clerk in a general store, retaining the position four years. His business qualifications were better adapted to mercantile pursuits than to agriculture, and in the autumn of 1859, in company with his brother, William M., he came to this county, and opened a dry-goods house in Charleston. They conducted the business successfully until July, 1886, when William M. sold out his interest to his brother and nephew, and the business is now carried on under the firm name of E. A. Jenkins & Son. The marriage of Mr. Jenkins to Miss Amanda A. Jeffries took place May 30, 1861. She is the daughter of John and Martha Jeffries, who were among the early settlers of Charleston. Mr. Jeffries is one of the old business men of the city, and is engaged in manufacturing saddles and harness. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have a family of six children, namely: John E., a rising young physician of Charleston; William F., engaged in business with his father; Joseph, Gertrude, Fannie and Katie. Mr. Jenkins is recognized as one of the leading men of the county, and his time and talents are not exclusively given to the advancement of his private interests. He served as School Director for three years, and is a Trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which both himself and his wife are active members. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Honor and the society of Royal Templars, and in politics is a Republican. |
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