After multi weeks trekking via covered wagon in the winter of 1816, Hiram Jenkins and wife Deborah Allison plus five of their children and two other settler families he was leading approached Central Missouri's Arrow Rock bluff with great trepidation. Reason being the amount of floating ice in the river that they needed to cross to get to the land Hiram wanted for their home. No ferries available and it was the middle of yet another harsh winter which made Hiram anxious to not get stuck. But stuck they were for what could have been a long time. The Missouri freezes over most every year in the Dakotas but down in the heartland such is an incredibly rare occurrence. Fortunately, a rare external sustained polar vortex event caused the freezing over of the Missouri river at Arrow rock within two weeks of their arrival. Thus, they were able to drive their wagons across the frozen river and move on to their new home.
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| Floating ice on the mighty MO |
Hiram's Great Grandfather, Aaron Jenkins was one of the the first of our direct ancestors to make America his home. We do not have evidence of who his parents were are where they may have come from. According to genealogy records he was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia 1717 and died there 1759. He received 400 acres in the Virginia long neck region from Lord Fairfax. King George started gave away land that was not his to nobles and corporations and eventually to individuals such as our forbearer.
Aaron Jenkins the second, born inVirginia was a private with the First Battalion Washington County PA Militia during the Revolutionary war. Washington county is in the Western part of Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh. Most of the soldiers from Pennsylvania who fought were members of PA state Militias. Their duties consisted of patrolling and assisting the colonial army's efforts. Some of PA members were with General Washington when he crossed the Delaware. Aaron was not part of that group, as his time was spent in the Western wilderness of PA providing protection for area forts, including one named Jenkins.
He married Rebecca Baldwin who died, 1779 in route from Pennsylvania to planned future residence in Tennessee. It is thought that 1000 or more acres of bonus land near Murfreesboro were granted Aaron for his service in the Revolutionary War. After settling in their new home he returned to Pennsylvania where he married his second wife Charity Garwood. In his absence his sons in Tennessee found that bears were plentiful and the boys killed or assisted in killing 52 of them.
In 1804 Aaron and Charity with most of their family moved to Ohio along Anderson's creek in what became the townsite of New Burlington. Second son, Hiram, born 02/02 1780 , remained in Tennessee where he married Deborah Allison in 1803. In 1808 he made his first of several hunting expedition trips to Missouri. This was shortly after Lewis and Clarks returned from their famed expedition. Thomas Jefferson in 1806 published an intial small account of their findings regarding exploration of the Missouri, Red River and Washita by Lewis and Clark and others. Their complete official report was not published until 1814. Hiram no doubt had heard enough and set out to explore for himself making at least two and probably three trips there before deciding to bring the family.
On one of Hiram's earlier expedition trips he was in charge of bringing via boat the Heath's brothers metal fixtures necessary for their salt works. They set up what was the firs salt mill in that part of the country at what became known as Heath Creek. The war of 1812 put cabash on their business due to two employees either being stolen or run away, and Native American raids on their enterprise. The war also pushed back the timeline Hiram desired to bring his family over to Missouri. Finally, the winter of 1816 they headed out with the two other families, the first pioneers of Pettis County.
During the journey to Missouri with Deborah and their children they crossed the Mississippi a bit above the mouth of the Missouri. Then carried on to Arrow Rock where had to wait for 15 days before crossing the river due to floating ice.
Migration of pioneers westward from the Ohio Valley Region increased dramatically after crops were ruined the winter of 1816. Estimates are that at least 4000 perished crossing rivers such as the Missouri.
Hiram led the group of three settler parties from Tennessee to their new home in what was yet to become Pettis County. Upon their arrival in 1817 there was no county government, or towns. The families were self-sufficient. There was lots of wild game, and the streams were full of fish. They lived in the log cabins they built. That part of Missouri in those days was mostly wilderness. It took a while before crops could be planted successfully due to wild animals' destruction. Eventually though farmland and rolling prairies overtook untamed forest land.
There were lots of hardships during those early years, and lots of good times too. Each October first the community would divide itself into two teams and to out to take as many wolf scalps as they could gather. The team that got the most were treated to a sumptuous dinner by the losers.
There was some trouble time to time with Native Americans returning home from assigned government land and pilfering from the newcomer community. Hiram had come to an agreement with a Shawnee Chief they would not return the next year. They did though, which prompted the Jenkins clan and neighbors to pay the Chief a visit, and this time reach a clear understanding. Afterwards that Chief and his people made no more unwelcome excursions.
Religion had a big role in the lives of the early Jenkins and other settlers not only in Missouri but back in Virginia too. Aaron the first's will underscores the faith many had. Here is an excerpt: " I Aaron Jenkins, ...being very sick and weak in body but perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye sic. do make and ordain this my last will and testimony that is to say. Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my body. I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executor. Nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God"
Hiram's Deborah passed in 1830 at the age of 45. In 1834, his family grown Hiram returned to Tennessee, he married Nancy Puckett there in 1837 and died at the age of 77 in 1857.
One of Baldwin's sons, James Smiley Jenkins married Susan Kelly in 1838. Susan's family arrived in Pettis county in 1827. Susan and James Smiley had 12 children, six of whom died young. Two passed before they were six, one when 12 and three it is thought succumbed in their early twenties to probably Typhoid fever.
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| 1888 Charley with Mom and Dad and brother |
Seventh in the birth order, Charles aka Charley Jenkins married Mary Analiza Alexander 02/17,1898 at Mary's parents home near Longwood, Pettis County.
Mary's Mom, Cordelia Ann Beauford Rodgers and her Dad, Elijah Laswell Alexander met and married in Illinois in 1864. Afterwards they travelled by covered wagon to settle in Pettis County on what was known as the Shelton farm in Heath Creek Township. In 1877 the family moved to Oak Creek Texas where Mary Analiza was born August 17, 1878. By 1890 their clan had moved back to Pettis County. Along the way ack home to Missouri they spent a few months in Arkansas.
Elijah Alexander's Great, Great, Grandfather ancestor John Alexander born 1683 arrived in America from Dromore township located in County Down Ireland sometime between 1727 and 1734. His wife, Jean Jane, son Thomas and three other children came together to make their home in America. Two other children were born after they arrived. John and Jean lived in Matric Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Lancaster Militia in 1747. The timeline as far back was able to find for our direct Alexander descendants is this:
John Alexander circa 1683 - circa 1763 - born in County Down Ireland, married Jean Jane in Ulster Ireland 1712, and passed in Lancaster County Pennsylvania.
Thomas Alexander born in County Down Ireland circa 1714, died circa 1798 Bedford, Virginia
Andrew Alexander Sr. 1769 - 1816 - Born in Charlotte Virginia, married Elizabeth Black in Bedford VA 1792, and died in Kentucky.
Andrew Alexander Jr. 1804-1864- Born in Bedford, VA, married Margaret Laswell 1831 in Kentucky, and died in Illinois
Elijah Laswell Alexander 1838-1910 Born in Hart, Kentucky, married Cordelia Ann Beauford Rodgers in Illinois 1864, and died Heaths Creek Township, Pettis County Missouri
Mary Analiza Alexander Jenkins - 1878 - 1962 born in Oak Creek, Hunt County Texas, married Charles aka Charley Jenkins 1898, and died Bates County, Missouri.
In the early 1600's Scotland's King James VI was also the King James 1 of England. He pushed thousands of Scots to migrate to the northern section of Ireland known as County Down during their nine-year war with Ireland and afterwards. Thousands of Scots migrated due to land grants and other opportunities. More than likely that is how John Alexander's ancestors ended up in Dromore. There were three occupational paths for Scots in Ireland those days which were to be a farmer, merchant or weaver.
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| Dromore Castle |
Then in the early 1700's there was another push for Scots Irish to migrate over to British Colonial America. British Colonial America (BCA) was offering land for people to go and settle primarily in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Facing religious discrimination and lack of resources John's family made the journey to the New World.
There was so much intermarriage between Scots and Irish during the 100+ years many lived there that Scotch-Irish became a common ethnicity. Therefore it is a good probability that John or Jean or both were part Irish too. They had a total of 6 children with all reaching adult hood and only one passing before 30. John himself lived to be 80 and Jean 75. They are both buried in Lancaster County.
Mary Analiza like her mom, Cordelia, made a long trip via covered wagon as a toddler. Cordelia when older drove the family with toddler Mary in a Prairie Schooner from Illinois to Missouri where they lived awhile and then later from Missouri to the Texas Hill country and then to Arkansas prior to staying put for good in Missouri. They were alike in many other ways too. Both raised several children, were experts at gathering and preserving food, assisting with farm tasks, mending and making clothing, applying home remedies. They were the pillars of their families.
Here is the direct family line the First Aaron Jenkins to Charles Jenkins.
The first Aaron Jenkins in our family line was born 1717 in Frederick Virginia. He married Mary Jane Fristoe in 1836 and he was buried in Frederick 1759.
Aaron Jenkins 11, 1743 - 1807. Born in Federal heights Virginia, died in Ohio.
Hiram Jenkins - 1780 - 1857. Born Fayette Pennslyvania, married Deborah Allison, died Murfreesborough, Tennessse.
Baldwin Jenkins - 1810-1842. Born near Murfreesborough, married Frances Smiley, died 1842 Pettis County, Missouri.
James Smiley Jenkins - 1834-1917. Born and died Pettis County, married Susan Kelley 1856.
Charles aka Charley Jenkins - 1868-1955. Born Pettis County, married Mary Analiza Alexander Jenkins 1898, died Bates County, Missouri.
Charles and Mary had five children who lived well pass middle age and one child, a daughter their first, born 2/16/1889 that only survived two days.
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| The siblings,Hubert, Ruth, Charley Willis, Mary Ellen, Paul |
The oldest, Hubert Alexander, was born 12/26/1889. He worked the family farm and in 1918 was instrumental in getting livestock transported via train from the home near Longwood to Bates County. The family decided to lease land from large landowner Scully so as to provide fodder for the WW1 troops. He married Dalice Ince May 31 1922 .They had four sons.
Hubert when 80 was still working daily on the farm and ranch land his son William Karl(WK) and grandsons ran. Unfortunately, he was in a fatal vehicle accident on Highway 71 February 11, 1980.
When he reached military eligibility age he signed up forWW1 but soon afterwards the war ended. When WW11 came along though he volunteered again and did serve as a Merchant Marine. More information as to their service will be contributed by cousin Karla and added on to this blog post.
January 1979, he visited Hawaii for the second time. While riding in the car from Ahuimanu valley south westward towards Likelike highway he called out as passed by Haiku valley and its radar station at the summit of the 2800 foot Puukeahiakahoe mountain on the Koolau range and calmly said - I built that staircase. John and I were stunned and so proud to know that our Uncle was involved in building one of the most iconic structures in the 50th state. The staircase, 3922 steps follows the mountain ridge line and was put in by the military for access to the top secret radio station.
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| A section of the famed Haiku valley stairway to Heaven |
Charley Willis was born June 21, 1902.He married Etta Hart on Feb 1 1932 in Butler, Missouri. Charley proved to be a successful business man who among other enterprises bought land in strategic locations which large Oil companies used for retail gas outlets. Charley Willis ahd Etta had one son, Danny. He eventually ran a motorcycle business in California. Charley in older years had severe arthritis. A few years after Etta passed he married Ada and they spent the winters in Arizona. Rest of the time they had a home not far from where his baby sister lived in Raymore. Charley died Feb 1988 at the age of 86.
Ruth Cordelia Jenkins, born September 6 (noted by many as the most auspicious, good fortune day one could hope to be born on), 1904. She married Clyde Wendleton in Warrensburg, Missouri. August 25, 1928. It seems that Ruth was the first Jenkins of our line to receive a formal High School diploma. It was very difficult for many decades as Missouri developed for youngsters to receive much formal education. Ruth had to persevere and even live away from home a year or so to get her High School degree. The fall after graduation she embarked on a long career as a public school teacher. Often working out of small school houses, teaching students at multiple grade levels at the same time. That she was a great teacher is evidenced by the many former pupils who remained in contact with her as long as she lived. She loved her students and a journal she wrote decades later was still able to recall most all of their names.
Ruth lived the longest. She was 98 and three months when passed December 2, 2002. She and Clyde did not have children.
Paul Gideon, born September 14,1907, married Leeta Marie Mansfield in Bates County. Paul worked a good sized farm while having a career with the Ford Motor Company. He commuted daily to Kansas City 35 each way for decades. He met Mary Ellen and her husband J Arthur and some others at the Grand Canyon summer of 1940. The group was walking along the rim and decided to hike down aways. They walked far down though thinking they could catch some donkeys to get back up. Paul had gone to find such for them but he could not and time he got back with the bad news they were at the bottom. It was thanks to Paul's guidance that they got back to the top safely. He counseled on staying calm, preserving water, moving at a steady pace and was able to secure water from rangers.
He also proved to be the ideal brother for both his sisters. Especially after their husbands passed he made sure their cars ran well, homes taken care of, medical needs fulfilled and was a all around loving companion for both of them.
A fairly new gas water heater blew up right in front of Paul, burning hm badly. He survived an excruciating period before release from suffering. He was 73 years old. Paul and Letta had a son who only lived one day and another son Nicky who is now 84 years young.
The baby of the family, Mary Ellen was born November 6, 1913. She followed in her sister's footsteps, immediately following high school working as a public school teacher in small schoolhouses. With the help of Charley Willis and her other siblings she went to college obtaining a bachelor's in education from Central Missouri State Teacher's College (now known as UCM) in 1937. She married J Arthur Eveland on June 1, 1940. They had three sons, John, Paul, and David born like his Aunt on that most auspicious day, September 6.
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| The sibling circa 1920 |
Ruth wrote a journal of recollections about her Mom, Dad and what life was like in the early 1900's in rural Missouri. She possessed amazing detail and remembered most of her teacher's and pupils names over several years. Her journal also includes entries that could have been chapters in the Whole Earth Catalogue. Entries on how to butcher a hog, make soap, using a "sad iron", cooking and baking on a wood stove, canning, preparation and preservation of fruits, vegetables, meats are very detailed and way easier to follow than IKEA instructions. What is most striking is how positive Ruth was regarding, well, everything. What follows are excerpts noted by quotes to signify such was written by Ruth.
"Apples"
Grandfather James Smiley had a very large apple orchard with many Jonathan, Ben Davis, and other varieties. There was a large cider mill where apples by the wagon load were quickly ground and pressed into juices for cider or vinegar. The power for the mill was a steam engine, and later on gas. Many farmers from miles around came to the mill. with their wagons of apples and with barrels for the cider. The apples were scooped into the hopper with big shovels, crushed and pressed. The apples were stored by digging a hole in the grond and placed down. Then the apples covered with seveal inches of straw and dirt 15 to 18 inches or more.
Grandfather Elijah Alexander also had a nice apple orchard and a hand cider mill and press. Every fall my parents gathered apples - many of them were dried. They were cut into 1/8th inchslices, placed on a slatted lath drier to be put in the dryer house that was heated by a wood stove. Many gallons of canned apples were stored in the cellar along wiht many jars of spicy apple butter and buried apples."
"OUR MOTHER
Mary Analiza Alexander was born in the Texas Hill Country May 2, 1878. When small the family returned to Pettis County. Mother received her education in the rural school close to her parent's 'home. She married Charles Jenkins February 17, 1898. They started housekeeping in a very nice log cabin of two rooms and a shed on Mary's family farm. She learned from her Mom, Cordelia the art of home making. She made the best light bread - often from yeast she made from hops she gathered. Mother cooked delicious meals on the wood cook stove. Fried chicken that was so good, fruit pies, cajes, noodles, jam and jelly too. Her fingers were never idle. She made overalls and shirts for Daddy and her three sons. She could knit "fingers" in gloves, do any kind of embroidery work, raise a vegetable and flower gardens. She could make ruffled dresses with crochet lace on plain calico or percale dresses. She would walk a half mile to the best fishing places. With the .22 rifle she was a crack squirrel hunter typically bagging three or four. She baked six to eight loaves of bread at a batch. She fixed the cream to make fresh butter to go with the light bread for supper, the biscuits for breakfast, corn bread for dinner. The pancakes were super also the butter cakes and dried apple pies were the best. They were usually fruit pies, fresh in seasons. In winter from fruit canned for table or pies from the cellar. There was blackberry, gooseberry, grape, apples, cherries, peaches, from summer canning. Her homemade quilts were besides providing warmth very pretty. She could pluck geese for feathers to make pillows and featherbeds, and dress a goose, turkey for Sunday dinners. She set hens in incubators to hatch chickens. Mother enjoyed her family. Homemade clothing and candy and a toy or present for each don Christmas. When evening came we kids were each scrubbed and hair combed before Daddy came in from work. When bedtime came, our good night prayer was said at her knee before we were tucked into bed. Some into a trundle bed. Mother sang hymns: God be with you till we meet again; Bringing in the sheaves and also shared her memory verses. We kids grew up in a home where we were rich without money, for we had parents who loved and guided our way until we chose what way we each wanted to go as we left home."
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| Mary Analiza's handi work |
"OUR DADDY
Charley Jenkins, 9/9/1868 to 9/22/1955 was born of pioneer parents on a farm in in Heath Creek Township, Pettis County, Missouri. Daddy could shoe a horse, mend the harness, and bake the best biscuits for our school lunches. On a worn-out shoe he could put a half sole. He loved the great outdoors. He could butcher beef, a hog, and make the best sugar-cured meat. He could break a wild horse and find time to play a game with his children. Daddy watched the weather signs to tell of fair or stormy weather. He taught us about the sum, moon, and its changes and the stars. How to tell time by the sun and by the Big Dipper as it makes its circle around the North Star every twenty-four hours. He taught us how to parch corn for a treat. When any child was sick, he could croon a cradle song. He could dry a tear, bandage a stubbed toe and cheer a broken heart. He could repair a wagon wheel. He burrowed a furrow straight as an arrow, and mend a broken toy. He could whistle and mock bird calls. His favorite place of worship was at Miller's chapel. When a snowstorm came roaring, the stock was fed and cared for. When any of the family was seriously ill, he would be by the bed or cradle a child in his arms for nights if needed. He seemed always prepared for any emergency, so calm and kind, and with his home remedies we found relief. He asked so little of us or anyone, but he gave his all to his family and others. Daddy was a kind and loving man."
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| Charles Jenkins with youngest grandchild, 1954 |
"Religion was a key component of Mary and Charley's life. They were baptized in Pettis County and were active members of the church at Crescent hill. Meals were eaten around a kitchen table withe everyone present. Charles gave the blessings for each meal with his elbows on the table, arms raised head bowed as he softly gave thanks. Mary beautifully embroidered the 23rd Psalm and other verses which were proudly displayed."
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Charles and Mary Analiza never lived in any one residence longer than three or four years until moving to the farm by Crescent Hill. Their previous homes in Pettis County were on relations properties and in Bates they moved quite a bit prior to settling in 1926. It was common in those days for tenant farmers to move often and many did so every year. Ruth's education was disrupted often, and her senior year of High School she boarded in Butler, graduating in 1925. She had a pony which rode to and from her first teaching assignments. Topsey was her pride and joy. She gave Topsey to Mary Ellen so she could get to and from High School more easily then she did her junior and senior years and during her first teaching assignments.
That sacrifice was typical of how Ruth and her siblings took care of and cared for their parents and each other all their lives. As adults they were integral members of their siblings' inner circles too. Hubert gave some of the best advice to his nephews, especially the youngest one. "When told to stay put stay put." He was there too for his parents in their later years, taking care of farm and home duties. Charley Willis shared sound business advice and stressed the importance of saving and insurance. Charley also took Mary Ellen to Hawaii to see her sons. When Mary got cancer and went through multiple surgeries and treatments the comfort knowing that her brother Paul was there for her met the world for her sons. Ruth and Ellen made several trips together to sightsee and also spend time with sons and nephews. They went out to the East Coast to Paul's and to Hawaii too.
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| Ruth with nieces and nephews out East |
The siblings were loyal and caring for each other and each other's spouses, children, grandchildren all their lives. What a legacy of goodness, kindness and mercy Charles Jenkins and Mary Analiza Alexander Jenkins left.
The world is a better place.
