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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 196 - 197 |
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IRA JENKINS
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Many are under the impression that a term of service by a young- man in the army or navy, covering a period of several years, unfits him for the ordinary duties devolving upon him as a citizen. In some instances there is little doubt that it does, but in the great majority of cases the ex-soldier or ex-sailor proves himself as worthy, capable and industrious as those who know nothing of life in the service of the government. Indeed it often happens that a few years of military or naval discipline has had a most salutary and beneficial effect upon the character and disposition of the youth, and that he returns to his home, when his time has expired, much more of a man mentally and physically than he was when he joined the service. The subject of this biography, Ira Jenkins, of Colfax township, spent the entire five years preceding the attainment of his majority in the United States navy. He returned home just at the beginning of the Civil war, and although grievously tempted to re- enlist, his yearning for the life of a "land lubber" was such that it overcome any tendency he may have had to again re-enter the service. Ira Jenkins is a native of New Hampshire, born in Manchester, September 30, 1840. His parents were John and Eliza (Brown) Jenkins, natives of Massachusetts, both having been born in Townsend, Middlesex county. For many years in his native town previous to his removal to New Hampshire the subject's father was an extensive dealer in fish. The latter years of the life of both were spent in New Hampshire and both died at West Thornton, the death of one following the other within a short time. She was seventy-seven years old at the time of her death and he eighty-one. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the subject was the youngest. In his native city of Manchester the first ten years of the life of Ira Jenkins were spent. From there he went to Lincoln, New Hampshire, where he remained until he was sixteen years old, when he enlisted in the United States navy and served for a period of five years, completing his term of service at the beginning of the Civil war. On returning to his home in New Hampshire he engaged in farming, devoting himself with zeal and earnestness to the calling and with a success fully commensurate with the efforts put forth. February 2, 1863, Ira Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Thayer, a native of Franconia, Grafton county, New Hampshire, born April 27, 1843. Her parents were Zora and Johanna (Aldrich) Thayer, natives of New Hampshire. The father was by occupation a farmer, prosperous and financially in good circumstances. At the early age of thirty-two years the mother passed into eternity, being survived by the father, who is still living, a venerable resident of Paw Paw, Michigan, where he is honored and respected for the blameless and exemplary life which he has led. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Jenkins is the oldest. To Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins the following children were born, viz George I., Johanna A., Joel B., Ira J., William A.; May is the wife of Dr. Alfred Watson, a practicing physician and surgeon of Cadillac, Michigan. Joel died when eighteen months old. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins have also an adopted child, named William A. For five years after their marriage the subject and his wife continued to reside in their native state, then, desiring to improve their condition and that of their children, in 1868 they moved to Van Buren county, Michigan, where he engaged in farming for six years. In November, 1874, they came to Wexford county and in the spring of the succeeding year settled upon the farm which is now and has been from that time their home. When he located upon it the place was wholly unimproved, but, with the characteristic ardor of his nature, Mr. Jenkins set to work clearing the place and soon had the satisfaction of seeing it a fertile, well cultivated and productive farm. Upon it he has erected a neat residence, sufficiently large for all of the wants of the family, and it is tastefully, if not luxuriously, furnished. The other farm buildings accord nicely with the family home, being large, substantial and well constructed. The farm comprises only forty acres, but every foot of the land is under cultivation, and under the skillful management of the owner the yearly product of the place exceeds many farms that are several times its size. Many times during his residence in Colfax township Ira Jenkins has been honored by his fellow citizens with their suffrage. He has been highway commissioner of the township, justice of the peace, and during the greater part of the time a member of the school board. Mrs. Jenkins is a devout member of the Methodist church, and an active worker not only in religious matters, but in every deserving, worthy cause. If his services for the government during the latter five years of his boyhood have been in the least detrimental to Mr. Jenkins, neither himself, his family nor his neighbors have yet found it out. |