Hi, a click on the link below give access to a podcast interview moderated by Kyle Laconsay 12/02/2025 about the New Visions story at Ho`opono. At the conclusiosof the interview a volunteer from the Library reads the story which is in the post titled New Visions that appears right after this one.
Thursday, October 29, 2026
New Visions
A New Visions Story
The Beginnings March 2000-October 2008
(1) Get Back to Iowa
Imagine that you, as the administrator of a public service agency, believe you have done a decent job managing and improving programs for the past six years. As such, you take pride in giving a tour of your facility to a visiting director of a similar program from the state where you grew up and which you admire. That administrator then gives a rousing speech the next evening to a large local consumer group’s annual banquet. Immediately after thunderous applause, their leader takes the microphone and tells you that you need to get back where you came from to learn how a good program is run. Would those words sting?
To be fair, that group’s leader had long wanted staff to visit the programs of the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB), whose headquarters were in Des Moines. A few blind members of their organization had attended week-long training sessions in the IDB’s adjustment-to-blindness Orientation Center in the sixties, but no one from Ho`opono, Hawai`i’s state-run program for blind residents, had ever done so. The remarks at that banquet, although disquieting, resulted in my resolve to go and find out what had made such a positive impression on these consumers.
Fortunately, not long after that March 2000 evening, the IDB held a two-day conference to celebrate its seventy-fifth anniversary. It was easy to get the okay to attend given what had transpired at the banquet. Late October found me in Des Moines observing, talking with staff, and being impressed by the work the IDB was doing. I was impressed most by a panel during which past program participants described what they gained from their six to nine months of intensive blindness skill training in the IDB’s Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center. In addition to becoming competent cane users, literate Braille readers, and homemakers, they said what they gained the most was a belief that they could live the life they wanted and do what they wanted to do. I also learned that Iowa welcomed staff from other agencies to come and spend a few weeks with them as a student. Ho`opono had just hired a new supervisor, and I had planned to send her elsewhere for thorough orientation training. Thanks to the Iowa conference, those plans changed. We were on our way.
The group kayaked and hiked and had a blast in the wilderness. In 2008, a group of nine youth plus seven volunteers and staff took part in an eight-day raft trip down the Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado River. It was somewhat difficult finding a rafting company that would take our gang on our terms. Some of the outfits said they would do it but wanted to rope everybody up in enclosed areas at night. We finally got into contact with the Arizona River Runners who guaranteed they would treat us the “same as everybody else.” Their willingness to do so was evidenced by the fact that our campers got to do a conga line in the rapids of the Little Colorado and hike to a hidden waterfall near Deer Falls using rope and ladders. Staff and volunteers Geri Mitomi, Katie Keim, Virgil Stinnet, Brook Sexton, Shannon Cantan, Annette Tashiro, and Gavan Abe had much to do with the success of what became the trip of a lifetime for everyone.
(2) The Dream
At another local banquet of Hawai`i’s blind consumers, the keynote speaker this time was Lea Dias, the new supervisor who had gone for training as a student in the Iowa Center. Just a few months removed from this experience, she gave a moving speech that included a vision for the Ho`opono program to become as vibrant as any, to become one where participants could develop hope that their dreams were obtainable.
Prior to Lea’s speech, discussions had begun on how to move Ho`opono’s orientation program from a traditional medical model to one based on the principles of structured discovery learning that Iowa’s program used. In the medical model, blindness is seen as a disability whose limitations cannot be overcome. Because blind people are inherently unsafe, they must be “guided through” the accomplishment of a task with the instructor’s constant visual feedback and supervision. The structured-discovery model, on the other hand, is based on a belief in the capabilities of blind individuals. Through questioning by instructors, students learn to problem solve their way safely through tasks and situations from draining a boiling pot of pasta to crossing a busy street. As the students develop more skills and self-confidence, they come to realize they can solve any problems they may encounter, whether at home, in the community, or on the job. The use of blindfolds is an integral part of this training, allowing students to learn they can function fully no matter how much vision they have.
Some of Ho`opono’s staff began to object strongly to making this change. They said they felt hurt that people thought they weren’t providing the best training possible to their students. They thought the structured-discovery approach was dangerous both physically and emotionally, especially since students who had any vision were required to wear blindfolds. Lea contacted Dr. Fredric Schroeder, former Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Commissioner, for suggestions on the best training for staff to come to believe in the benefit of learning blindness skills without sight. He suggested contacting structured-discovery consultant Doug Boone. Using a gentle approach, Doug provided multiple training sessions to five or six Ho`opono staff at a time, teaching them how to travel using the long white cane under blindfolds. On the last day of each session, all thirty staff involved were thrilled to be able to cross a busy intersection by themselves.
More intensive training sessions were added as time went on. Dr. Schroeder, IDB Director Allen Harris, and Dr. Sandy Tigges—the initial banquet speaker—provided consultation. Several question-and-answer sessions with them helped to resolve many of the staff’s concerns. To provide the best orientation program would mean that certain requirements for learning would be put into place. Students would be expected to attend the center five days a week, take every class available, wear blindfolds if they had any vision, and use the long white cane during all instructional time. None of these requirements were currently in place. Some students only came in once a week for computer instruction, while others just attended cooking classes. No one was required to wear blindfolds or use a cane throughout the day. So of course, current students and some staff had lots of concerns about the direction the program was tending toward.
(3) Give Me a Date
To help move the agenda along and quell the objections of staff, it was decided to bring Sandy back for one week. When I called her, she said she would be glad to return but only on this condition: “By the end of my week, you must guarantee that an exact date will be set when the program will make the successful transition to one that uses the structured-discovery approach to instruction.” By this time, several Ho`opono staff had spent two weeks in the Iowa Center and came back as enthusiastic about the change as Lea was. Other developments had also taken place, including the sale of the sheltered workshop to a nearby community rehabilitation provider, position descriptions and functions moving from a medical towards more of a rehabilitation model, and the addition of staff for home rehabilitation teaching services.
I guaranteed on the call with Sandy that the change would take place and a date for the completion of the transition would be set. Staff were informed she was coming prior to her arrival, and an official memo made it clear the change would be happening. After she talked individually with staff members, Sandy and I held a group meeting with all of the staff. Working together, we set November 1, 2002, as the date to complete the transition. That gave us eight months to make the change. We also brainstormed to develop a name and vision statement for the new program. Orientation and Mobility Instructor Michael Hughes suggested “New Visions,” which was unanimously accepted to be the program’s name. The vision statement, “Blindness is not a barrier to success” also was chosen. By the time Sandy left, everyone knew there would be no turning back.
(4) The Pledge
Ho`opono continued to reach out to the community to inform everyone about New Visions. The governor’s commission and others raised some concerns that were resolved by feedback that came primarily from consumers who knew the shift was for the better. A couple of town-hall-style evening meetings were held at the center. The most memorable one, held in May 2002, concluded with a pledge from the leaders of the two local chapters of the National Federation of the Blind known as the Hawai`i chapter and the American Council of the Blind known as the Hawaii Association of the Blind. Nani Fife and Warren Toyama stood in front of the packed auditorium and pledged their wholehearted support and belief in the forthcoming New Visions program. Given the sometimes not too harmonious relationship between the two organizations, it was indeed an historic, incredible moment. Afterwards some attendees expressed heartfelt appreciation for all the effort taken to improve our services.
(5) Survival
November first came and went, and the program was progressing well. There were some hiccups here and there but nothing major. The union got involved for clarification purposes, but no complaints were lodged. Some folks not far from the center expressed worry about seeing more people out and about using their canes, but explanation eased their issues. A major concern was whether we would have enough students wanting to attend classes five days a week and take every course. Dr. Schroeder told us not to worry about that as we would be like the Marines – people take pride in doing something hard. He was right. We had plenty of people wanting to be part of New Visions.
After more than a year of smooth sailing, I got called to a meeting in the legislative conference room. When I entered the room, already seated along the huge oblong Koa-wood table were more than a dozen consumers, the Department of Human Services Assistant Director, and members of the State house and Senate. A legislator explained that people had been writing to him and that each person at the table would be given time to say what was on their minds. Statements ranged from just wanting to listen to an accusation of embezzlement and a lack of choice regarding training requirements. The most troublesome complaint was from a woman who claimed that wearing sleep shades made her remaining eyesight worse. The Assistant Director wrapped up the session by saying that written responses would be provided at a subsequent session to be held in two weeks’ time.
In preparation for the next session, our first step was to study each of the thirty-plus complaints and then place each into one of 5 distinct categories. The next was to write program responses. At the following meeting, Braille and print copies of the questions and program responses were made available to all participants. This time, two more state senators were in attendance, including Suzanne Chun Oakland, a long-time supporter of Ho`opono .
Dr. Schroeder was in town that day and sat with me while the responses were read aloud. Then time was given for more Q & A. The local consumer organizations and many blind individuals voiced their support. At the conclusion, the legislators in attendance stated there was no need for any more follow-up. Later, Dr. Schroeder said he could count on just one hand the number of programs around the country that would have held firm under such intense pressure.
The principles behind the structured-discovery approach to learning blindness skills and developing belief in one’s own capabilities as a blind person are solid. Nonetheless, the informal legislative hearings came up at an inopportune time for the program. Neil Shim, the chief of the Hawai`i Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of which Ho`opono is a branch, had recently retired, and his successor Joe Cordova was not yet on board. Neil had been a big backer of the efforts to change and had good relationships with several legislators. If the proceedings had been moved into formal legislative status, New Visions very well could have been severely compromised. I had thought the proverbial shoe would drop a year earlier but it was good it did not. Other comments continued to be made here and there from various groups and individuals, but again education and explanation helped to resolve any concerns. With the passage of time, the program was in a much stronger position for us to advocate for its continuance.
(6) A Bucket of Tears--We’re The Same as Everybody Else
As New Visions was getting off the ground, we decided the blind youth we served would benefit from time spent at a camp where they could develop their blindness skills and self-confidence without relying on any remaining vision. A five-day camp experience was set up at YMCA Camp Erdman on the North Shore of O`ahu. Doug Boone, his wife Chris, and Vito DeSantis—a leader in the blindness field from New Jersey--provided input and recommendations. The Y said they would offer our group the same experiences and challenges as they did for all their other groups. They were true to their word. The youth participated in ocean kayaking, high ropes courses, and hiking. Katie Keim and Virgil Stinnet, a local blind couple, joined staff Lea Dias, Sam Fisk, and Jon Koki to ensure a meaningful and fun time for everyone.
On the final night, the campers put on a talent show. Talented Jon Koki accompanied all singers. Virgil insisted on having bonfires each night. With plenty of palettes to burn, the sky was ablaze. Towards the end of the evening, each camper talked about what camp meant to them and their hopes for the future. Touched by the experience, Katie and Lea shed buckets of tears during their presentations. It was the best week ever.
That camp led to several more as the years went on. More challenges were added, including a hike up a north shore mountain cliff. Blind youth backpacked and helped eradicate weeds at Haleakala National Park. In 2007, our youth joined those from a similar Iowa program to visit Mount Rushmore and spend a week camping out at Yellowstone. The local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind paid for most of the costs of a camping trip alongside the glaciers of an Alaskan Icy Bay. Here are some photos from some of the youth activities.
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| hiking Haleakala |
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| Little Colorado river mini train |
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| Hiking to Deer Falls Grand Canyon National Park |
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| Navigating crystal trail boulders at Camp Erdman |
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| Ocean kayaking north shore |
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| All on a log first amp Ho`opono |
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| Haleakala pain pod |
The group kayaked and hiked and had a blast in the wilderness. In 2008, a group of nine youth plus seven volunteers and staff took part in an eight-day raft trip down the Grand Canyon portion of the Colorado River. It was somewhat difficult finding a rafting company that would take our gang on our terms. Some of the outfits said they would do it but wanted to rope everybody up in enclosed areas at night. We finally got into contact with the Arizona River Runners who guaranteed they would treat us the “same as everybody else.” Their willingness to do so was evidenced by the fact that our campers got to do a conga line in the rapids of the Little Colorado and hike to a hidden waterfall near Deer Falls using rope and ladders. Staff and volunteers Geri Mitomi, Katie Keim, Virgil Stinnet, Brook Sexton, Shannon Cantan, Annette Tashiro, and Gavan Abe had much to do with the success of what became the trip of a lifetime for everyone.
(7) A Center of Excellence Second to None
As New Visions evolved, so did all of the programs and services offered by the agency. Students became competent Braille users, made multi-course meals for a dozen or more, and travelled back and forth to and around the island on their own. The woodshop program expanded under the guidance of Industrial Arts Instructor Gordon Takesono with help from such consultants as Dave Hauge from Iowa. Students were now making high-quality projects like tables and doll houses. Thanks to the efforts of Sam Fisk and Shellford Cantan, a residential component got off the ground. The sheltered workshop the program had run for decades was farmed over to a nearby community rehabilitation program. Staff were added to provide outreach services to older blind individuals and more sites were added to one of the highest rated Business Enterprise Programs in the country.
New Visions staff made it clear to program participants that the reason for going through the training center was so they could get a job and earn money to help them have a fulfilling life. At the camps and other trips, Katie and other staff always emphasized the necessity of learning blindness skills so one could get a well-paying job. On the Grand Canyon trip, students made a point of learning about the kinds of jobs adults on the companion boat held. They came to understand that they, too, would need to have good jobs to produce the kind of funds necessary to support themselves, as well as to have fun. Eventually, they and other camp alumni entered a variety of careers, including auto repairer, massage therapist, communications contractor, support associate for Amazon Web Services, public affairs officer for the U.S. government, comedian, music teacher for the Hawai`i Department of Education, cane travel instructor, technology assistant at the Hawai`i Resource Tech Center, long-term care support services coordinator and radio broadcaster, health center front-desk receptionist, and Vending facility manager.
All of these achievements were a direct result of the New Visions spirit. What our students were accomplishing and believed about themselves was just as impressive as I had observed of students in Iowa years before. In October 2008, the Ho`opono rehabilitation training center became one of 5 nationally to be certified by the National Rehabilitation Training Center Certification Board as a center of Excellence. Iowa’s Director Allen Harris was on-site to present the award and proclaimed that we were second to none. It was validation that New Visions afforded the blind residents of the state and the Pacific territory region a program that would equip them with the blindness skills and positive attitude necessary to live the life they chose. We had arrived!
(8) Acknowledgements
Lea Dias, without whom there would be no New Visions, became the program’s administrator at the start of 2010. She has maintained the New Visions spirit while successfully navigating Ho`opono through such major crises as the great recession aftermath and the pandemic era.
Dr. Sandy Tigges for the speech that triggered transformation, her faith that the program was ready to change, and for fact checking, contributing to and editing this story, written by Dave Eveland the Ho`opono administrator from 1994 through 2009.
I mentioned several staff and volunteers throughout, but many thanks are also due to the hundreds more that made and continue to make immeasurable contributions to the program.
I also want to thank the following organizations via their members, staff and volunteers who provided much needed and appreciated moral and monetary support, consultation and training:
The Hawai`i Association of the Blind, the local chapter of the American Council of the Blind.
The Hawai`i chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.
The Ho`opono Advisory Board.
he Friends of Ho`opono.
The Hawai`i State Committee of Blind Vendors.
The Hawai`i State Attorney General Office and its’ deputies.
The Hawai`i Lions’ Clubs.
The Iowa Department for the Blind.
The National Federation of the Blind training centers located in Louisiana, Colorado, and Minnesota
The National Council of State Agencies for the Blind
Island Skill Gathering
The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Haleakala National Park
Arizona River Runners
Louisiana Tech University.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Hawai`i State Legislature.
San Diego State University’s Interworks Institute
The Department of Human Services and Office of the Governor.
Moms, Dads, spouses for their love and support. James Omvig for his book Freedom for the Blind.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
FROM
FROM
JENKINS
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.
Hiram's Great Great Grandfather, Aaron James Warren Jenkins, 1668 -1759 Jenkins was one the first of our direct ancestors to make America his home. According to genealogy records he was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia 1688 and died there 1759. His son, Aaron Jenkins, born 1717 received 400 acres in the Virginia long neck region from Lord Fairfax. King George started out giving away land that was not his to nobles and corporations and eventually to individuals such as our forbearer.
Aaron Jenkins the third, born in Virginia 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 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 in 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 to 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/exploration trips to Missouri. This was shortly after Lewis and Clark returned from their famed expedition. Thomas Jefferson in 1806 published an initial small account of their findings regarding exploration of the Missouri, Red River and Washita by Lewis and Clark. 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 to Missouri before deciding to bring the family.
On one of Hiram's 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 first salt mill in that part of the country at what became known as Heath Creek. The war of 1812 put the cabash on their business though due to two employees either being stolen or moved on, and Native American raids on their enterprise. The war also pushed back the timeline Hiram desired to bring his family over to Missouri. Finally, in the winter of 1816 they headed out with two other families, the first pioneers of what was to become Pettis County.
During the journey to Missouri with Deborah and 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 over the years while crossing rivers such as the Missouri.
Hiram led the group from Tennessee to their new home in 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 animal destruction. Eventually though farmland and rolling prairies overtook untamed forest land.
Plenty of hardships during those early years, and good times too, including annual contests made up of two teams with the losers having to host a feast.
There were instances from time to time with Native Americans returning home from assigned government land and pilfering from the newcomer community. Hiram came to an agreement with a Shawnee Chief that they would not return the next year. They did though, which prompted the Jenkins clan and neighbors to pay the Chief a visit, and reach a clear understanding.
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 and Deborah had from what can tell four children including Baldwin, my Great Great grandfather. Hiram, after the passing of Deborah returned to Tennessee, and there he married Nancy Puckett in 1837, had some more sons, and died at the age of 77 in 1857. His will written in 1852 shows that he gave land to his and Nancy's boys and amongst other items five slaves to Nancy. A codicil added 1857 included a statement that he had already taken care of his offspring in Missouri via land and money.
One of Baldwin's sons, James Smiley Jenkins, 1834-1917, married Susan Kelly, 1838-1923. In 1856 Susan's family arrived in Pettis county from Kentucky when she was a young girl and so proud of the red tap shoes she got in fur trapping center St. Louis.
Susan and James Smiley had 12 children, three of whom died very young, and three in their early twenties. It is thought that at least two and perhaps three of the ones who passed as young adults succumbed to typhoid fever. The other six all had fairly long lives.
Here is a photo of James Smiley and Susan Jenkins (Kelly) with sons Grandfather Charles and one of his younger brothers. The estimated date of the photo is 1888.
Seventh in the birth order was Grandfather Charles aka Charley Jenkins who married Mary Analiza Alexander 02/17,1898 at Mary's parents' home near Longwood, Pettis County.
Great grandmother's dad was Rodney Kelly, born 1809, and Mom was Lorna Ann Bailey, 1810-1888.
Mary's Mom, Cordelia Ann Beauford Rodgers born 1846 in Alabama grew up in Mississippi and other southern states. Her Dad, Elijah Laswell Alexander, married Cordelia 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 back 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 1683 - 1763 - born in County Down Ireland, married Jean Jane in Ulster Ireland 1712, and passed away 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 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 farmer, merchant or weaver.
Then in the early 1700's there was another push for Scots Irish to migrate over to British Colonial America. The (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 in Ireland 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 six children with all reaching adulthood and only one passing before 30. John himself lived to be 80 and Jean 75. They are both buried in Lancaster County.
Cordelia Ann's ancestry, like Elijah's, traces back to Scotland and Ireland. Her tree notes a Robert Rodgers born in Scotland 1680, died 1750 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Another record though shows that Robert was born in Ireland. It seems they were the same person. Due to a great deal of Scots migrating to Ireland in those days it could have been he was born in Scotland but grew up in Ireland. Both records have him passing 1745 in Lancaster PA.
Cordelia's Dad was George Rodgers, 1823-1897. He married Nancy Ann Hunter in 1842 and they had 14 children.
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 1688 in Frederick Virginia and he was buried in Frederick 1759.
Aaron Jenkins the second was born 1717 in Virginia and died there 1759.
Aaron Jenkins 111, 1743 - 1807. Born in Federal heights Virginia, died in Ohio.
Hiram Jenkins - 1780 - 1857. Born Fayette Pennsylvania, married Deborah Allison, died Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Baldwin Jenkins - 1810-1842. Born near Murfreesboro, 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, and died Bates County, Missouri.
Charles and Mary had five children who lived well pass middle age and one child, a daughter their first, born 2/16/1899 that only survived two days.
The oldest, Hubert Alexander, was born 12/26/1899. 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 he found work that aided the war effort.
In January 1979, he visited Hawaii for the second time. While riding in the car from Ahuimanu valley south westward towards Likelike highway Hubert 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 said - " hey I built that staircase." John and I were stunned. Hubert's obituary confirmed that he spent several years in Hawaii during WW11. I think he may have been associated with the Navy in some capacity such as a private contractor. The staircase was originally built in 1942. Hubert's son, William Karl (WK) served with the Merchant Marines and injured his shoulder during the Normandy invasion. WK's bother John Charles also served as a Merchant Marine and was on the same boat with WK when they were sunk by a German U sub. Thanks to cousin Jerry Jenkins Jr. for that information.
The workers went up and down the ridge via a caged contraption. Navy personnel were in charge. Our family is very proud that our Uncle Hubert had a hand putting place the 3922 steps that follow a steep mountain ridge line to a vital top secret radar station. We are also so appreciative of WK's and his brother's service during WW11. The merchant marines had the highest ratio of fatalities during the war of any service branch. FDR said of their heroic D day and other efforts "Mariners have written one of the most brilliant chapters. They have delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult and dangerous job ever undertaken." Thanks indeed to WK, JC and all those who served.
Ruth Cordelia Jenkins, born September 6 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 schoolhouses, 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 all her life. 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 General Motors. He commuted daily to Kansas City 35 miles or more each way for decades. In 1935 he took part in what was known as the Leeds General Motors strike for a few weeks. The strikers stayed on site at the plant while friends and family got through what food they could to them. The company cracked down on those efforts which meant the strikers had to go back to work. Not long after workers at the main Detroit plant inspired by their Leeds brothers struck and after 44 days the American United Auto Workers association was victorious.
Paul 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 returned 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 thanks to diligent effort able to secure water a few miles up the trail from a ranger outpost.
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 an all-around loving companion for both of them.
A fairly new gas water heater in 1980 blew up right in front of Paul, burning him badly. He survived an excruciating period at a burn center 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 who was born like his aunt Ruth on that most auspicious day, September 6.
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 an amazing recall of facts and figures. 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. 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 ground and placed down. Then the apples were covered with several 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 inch slices, 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 with 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 was so good, fruit pies, cakes, 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 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."
"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."
"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 with 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 relatives' 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 in 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 than 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.
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.
Mary Ellen and J Arthur's children and grand children
John Charles, 09/29/1943, married Diana Chong, 06/1974
Jeremiah James, 05/31/1976, married Ashley 06/02/2005
Luke James, 01/23/2011
Logan Charles,08/22/2013
Jonathan Rhodes, 06/30/1981, married Jill Akiko Fujimoto, 11/05/1981
Miya Faith Diana, 12/11/2007
Kyani Hope Chiemi, 05/21/2011
Zayne Curtis Charles, 12/12/12
Akai Ezekiel Keoni, 07/29/2023
Gary Paul , 10/26/1946
married Leilani Kay Roth, 03/15/69
Jennifer Annette, 07/03/1976, married Thomas Ostrosky 06/21/2008
Matthew Raymond, 08/28/2009
Emma Kathryn, 01/28/2012
Michael Ryan, 02/28/1980, married Kelli Kuppinger Card, 10/17/2009
Anthony Joseph Bernardo, 05/2004
Addie Carrie, 06/07/2011
Caden Michael,07/31/2013
Bodie Ryan, 02/04/2016
Harper Barbara,11/21/2018
Chase William, 11/21/2018
Katie Janine, 12/18/1982, married Breen Mahony10/15/2011
Torin Michael 05/24/2020
David Eveland, 09/06/1949 married Shui Yu Betty Lee 10/01/1978
Deborah Ru Yi, 09/06/1981, married Albert 08/2022
Rebecca Ru Yu, 06/15/1985, married Rayburn London 02/28/2011
Rhea Merleah Jade, 08/11/2018
Joshua Arthur Ru Hong, 10/25/1986, married Wendy Kuo 10/28/2017
Luna Ling an, 10/18/2018
Nalu Ling en, 12/21/2021
Notations -
On the blogsite - windwarddavemusings.blogspot.com
soon after this post, is one titled 3 in one which is about the three consecutive generations of Eveland pastors - J Arthur, John Frederick, Nathan.
An additional post titled Ancestors Part 1 is also about Eveland's and includes more details as to Nathan's Civil War service.
Source material: - much credit to the Green Book Mom and Aunt Ruth put together and got typed and bound by John Charles our brother around 40 years ago. A good deal of their material came from other Jenkins clans who had extensive genealogy records. Family search the LDS website is a gold mine for locating info as is My Heritage. Ancestry.com used a bit too. State archives have military information.
Cousin Karla sent some ancedotal information. Grandpa Charley at an unknown age vaulted over a barricade and broke the big bone in his leg. They built wooden trough for him to lay in and there he stayed put until his leg healed.
Uncle Charley ran his first gas station as a one man operation. When drivers said fill er up he would take off the gas cap set the pump and grabbed the squeezee in one sequence. He would also check the oil. Some mororists who only wanted directions would drive hastily off upon receiving such. Charley kept a large bucket near the gas pumps full of their gas caps.
Uncle Hubert as a youngster would go "noodling" which consisted of his sticking his gloved hand ;into murky creeks holes where he often pulled out a big fish. One time though he got a water mocassin instead which put a damper on his noodling days.
Aunt Ruth while teaching at :Prarrie Rose school house noticed a fire acros the street. She quickly got her students to empty their lunch pails and form a fire brigade. Passing those containers now full of water to put out the fire. The Fire Department redited her qucik thinking and calm reaction for saving the house. Such was noted as noted in the local newspaper.
So much more out there to find out:
Each of us has at least four grandparents and eight great grandparents, 16 great great and so on. Some may have more, due to multiple marriages and so forth. It is very difficult to track accurate information for most people beyond the Great Grandparent level. Here I have tried to trace as far back as could the stories of our ancestors. - Charley Jenkins, Mary Analiza Alexander Jenkins, Cordelia Ann Beauford Rodgers, Elijah Alexander, James Smiley Jenkins, Susan Van Cleve Kelly Jenkins. Susan's tree stopped early, but the others were able to trace back to at least the Revolutionary War.
Perhaps one day one of you will be able to trace way beyond that era and also dig into all the other grandparents we have besides just the ones included here. Just think at the great great great great great level we each have at least 64 grandparents and when we dive into both Maternal and Paternal ancestry at the great ++++ level we each have at least 128 grands!
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