Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Album of Huron County, Michigan Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884 [179 - 182] JEREMIAH JENKS is one of the pioneer settlers on the Huron coast lying along the eastern side of the "Thumb of the Mitten," and his name is synonymous with all the business resources of the portion of Michigan where he has been a resident since 1854. He is, in the fullest sense, one of the most prominent among the several individuals who have been interested in the developments of the resources of Sanilac and Huron Counties, and is the founder of several of the most extensive business interests of this part of the Peninsular State. He is a man who recognizes an opportunity, and possesses the requisite acumen and shrewdness, both in degree and quality, to mold it to either general or individual advantage. He is a leader in the business history of Michigan, and his name is inseparably connected with the development of the lumber, salt, milling, commercial and agricultural interests of this section of the State, and he is also a prominent actor in the transportation service of the lakes. The present business connection of MR. JENKS is styled "J. JENKS & Co.," of which he is the senior member. The firm is distinctive- ly engaged in the manufacture of salt and flour at Sand Beach, and in general mercantile operations. MR. JENKS was born Dec. 13, 1810, at Newport, Sullivan Co., N.H. His parents, JEREMIAH W. and HESTER (LANE) JENKS, were also natives of the "Old Granite State," and were born in the same town - New- port - where they reached mature life, married, and where their children were born. They belonged to the sturdy, substantial stock of New England, and descended from ancestors prominent in thrift, energy and integrity, which traits have made possible the splendid development of the West. The father of MR. JENKS was born July 11, 1780; the mother, Jan. 2, 1784. The issue of their marriage was 11 children, of whom seven are deceased. The family removed in 1814 to Bridport, Addi- son Co., Vt., a town on the east shore of Lake Champlain, whence, after a short residence, they went to Crown Point, Essex Co., N.Y., a point almost directly opposite across the lake. The father died there Aug. 12, 1852; the demise of the mother occurred at the same place Oct. 24, 1850. MR. JENKS is the eldest of the four surviving children, and is the fifth in order of birth. Two brothers and a sister reside in St. Clair Co., Mich. LUCY A. (JENKS) is the widow of SIMON BECK- WITH; BELA W. (see sketch of B. W. JENKS) and ROBERT H. are farmers and lumbermen. In 1854, two years subsequent to the death of his father, MR. JENKS came to St. Clair, Mich., where he remained eight months, re- moving thence to Lexington, Sanilac County. He assumed the pro- prietorship and management of the hotel then known as the "Lexing- ton Exchange," which he conducted five years. Subsequently he was interested in the construction of the "Cadillac House," of which he was the manager five years. During that period he invested heavily in lumbering, in which he foresaw large developments. He purchased a saw-mill and 500 acres of timber land, five miles north of Lex- ington, and entered vigorously into the manufacture of lumber pro- ducts. In 1864, associated with J. L. WOODS and GEORGE W. PACK, under the style of PACK, JENKS & Co., he purchased a saw-mill located at Allen's Creek, two and a half miles south of the present village of Sand Beach. The structure was built on the site of the first saw- mill that was erected on the east shore of "the thumb" on Lake Huron. It was operated by water. Its successor was of enlarged size and was run by steam power. The new management gave the mill a thorough remodeling and refitting, putting in all modern appli- ances and improvements. The firm became the owners of 15,000 acres of valuable pine lands, adjacent to the mill in Huron County, from which, during the 11 years that followed, they produced 50,000,000 feet of pine lumber. They owned also a steam barge and scow, which they operated to their full capacity in the transporation of their lumber to Cleveland, Ohio. Their business required also the em- ployment of other vessels on the lakes, their own facilities being inadequate. The firm was dissolved Jan. 1, 1876. MR. JENKS continued to press his own local business interests, and became the proprietor by purchase of a third interest in the lands owned by CARRINGTON, PACK & Co, of Sand Beach, and within the same year - 1876 - became the owner of the entire interest. It included 18,000 acres of land and the Dow House (then the Sand Beach House) at Sand Beach, be- sides an old store building, erected by the former proprietors in 1864. The hotel property has been generally improved and is now under the management of SAMUEL EAST. On the dissolution of the firm with which he was originally con- nected, Jan. 1, 1876, MR. JENKS divided his estate and business equally with his son, GEORGE W. JENKS, and formed a new company, which included two nephews - JAMES M. and BELA W. JENKS (see sketches) - and put in active operation and extensive business at Sand Beach. They built a large flouring mill, initiated extensive salt works, and established mercantile relations on a large scale. In 1880 the flouring mill was destroyed by fire with a loss of $7,000 above insurance. The establishment was rebuilt without de- lay, and is one of the finest mills in the State, having also a large elevator. The producing capacity of the mill is 230 barrels of flour daily. It contains eleven sets of rollers, and is equpped with patent purifiers of the best manufacture, smutters and other modern improvements of the most approved character. The brands of flour manufactured by Messrs. JENKS & Co., are well and widely known and deservedly popular, including the "Lilly," "Silver Sheaf," "JENKS' Fancy Patent," "Hungarian Process," and others. Their salt works were originally constructed with immense pans, in which the work of evaporation was carried on by means of fire; but in 1883 the entire salt block was reconstructed and extensive improvements made. The evaporating is now done by steam, and the rate of production averages 150 barrels of salt each day. In the winter of 1883-4 the firm erected a large building for the purpose of manufacturing the finer grades of dairy salt which they prepare for market in packages of all sizes to meet the de- mands of the trade, - in sacks containing two, three, five, ten, twenty-eight, fifty-six and two hundred and forty pounds. The general mercantile operations of Messrs. JENKS & Co. were transacted in the building where originally established in 1882, in which they erected a large brick block, 50 x 102 feet in dimen- sions, two stories in height, with a fine basement. The first story is divided into two departments, in order to carry on the business with system, one division being devoted to the sale of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and the second de- partment stocked with fancy and staple groceries, crockery, and other lines of merchandise suited to the local trade and common to such establishments. The old store building is used as a hardware store, where an assortment of hardware is constantly on hand, in- cluding iron, steel, shelf-ware, stoves, building materials and farming implements, besides comprising all the merchandise indis- pensable to a regular ship-chandler's business. The pier of JENKS & Co. in the "Harbor of Refuge" at Sand Beach, is one of the finest docks on the lake, and was begun in 1873. At the outset of its construction, the Government contractor supplied some assistance, and the owners have added to it yearly until it is in its present very complete condition. The real-estate operations of the firm include the sale of 13,000 acres to actual settlers, and in the transaction of this branch of their business they have conducted it with reference to the permanent improvement of the county, and have divested them- selves wholly of the odium of the speculative fraternity, that has materially retarded the progress of this portion of Michigan. They still own several thousand acres of land, and are the proprietors of one of the finest sample farms in Michigan. It is located south of the village of Sand Beach on Allen's Creek, and contains 400 acres. The agricultural operations, as carried on, demonstrate the adaptation of the soil and climate to the profitable prosecution of farming as a business pursuit. The live-stocke operations of the owners are of a stamp which promise great future advantages to that interest in Huron County. Short-horned cattle are a specialty, the herds containing about 15 registered thoroughbreds and a large num- ber of fine grades. About 100 head of cattle are kept in stock. The gentlemen composing the firm of J. JENKS & Co. are men of persistent energy, and are thoroughly alive to the fact that only in the principle of "living and letting live" can any business enterprise have a permanent basis, and they have won a general feeling of confidence by their public spirit and disinterested furtherance of the general interests of the community of which they are members. Their investments have been of immense advantage to the citizens of Huron County in developing it resources in every direction, and in affording avenues of employment to large numbers of the class whose efforts are the bulwarks of all national and sectional prosperity. MR. JENKS, of this sketch, has been married twice. The first marriage occurred in 1837, at Crown Point, N.Y., when Miss RELIEF HUESTIS became his wife. She was born Sept. 4, 1811, in Coventry, Vermont, and was the daughter of DANIEL HUESTIS. She died Jan. 18, 1873, at Sand Beach, and left a son and daughter, both of whom still survive her. GEORGE W., in business with his father, was born May 9, 1838, at Crown Point, N.Y. MARY E., wife of CHARLES S. NIMS, was born at Crown Point, Sept. 25, 1846. MR. NIMS is also interested in the business of the firm. The marriage of MR. JENKS to MRS. AMANDA JENKS, widow of his brother, BENJAMIN L. JENKS, occurred at St. Clair, in 1874. The issue of the first marriage of MRS. JENKS comprised five children, born as follows: JAMES M., July 14, 1850; ROBERT H., July 26, 1854; JEREMIAH W., Sept. 2, 1856; HESTER P., Dec. 12, 1858; and MARTIN L., July 15, 1861. The eldest was born at Crown Point, is a resi- dent of Sand Beach, and is a member of the firm of J. JENKS & Co. ROBERT H. was born at Crown Point, N.Y., and is in the lumber busi- ness at Cleveland, Ohio. JEREMIAH W. and HESTER P. were born in St. Clair, Mich., and are both at present in Germany completing their education. The youngest, MARTIN L., is in the employment of the firm as shipping clerk, at Sand Beach. The residence of MR. JENKS is situated on the northwest corner of Huron and State Streets, and is a fine brick structure, erected on an acre of ground purchased by the proprietor in 1877, and which has been converted into an imposing lawn. MR. JENKS has been active in the social, political and religious affairs of the place where he resides since the commencement of his career as a business man and citizen of the county. He became an adherent of the principles of Christianity in early life and con- nected himself with the Baptist Church at Crown Point, N.Y. He established similar relations with that denomination at Sand Beach, and has been active in its interests. In the fall of 1874 he was nominated by the Republicans of the 22d District at the Senatorial Convention, and elected Senator by a large majority. He served his constituency in a manner that re- flected the utmost credit upon his character and proved the wisdom of their choice. He was Chairman of the Committee on the State Public School, and was a member of the Committee on Banks. In 1876 he was alternate Presidential Elector. It is with pleasure we present the portait of MR. JENKS in this work. In his likeness many will recognize one of the pioneers of the county, and one whose interest has been in common with her citizens. They will also recognize in his genial, open and frank countenance the personification of pluck and determination, and of a man whose accomplishments have been the outcome of honest, straight-forward, energetic action. =========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our growing collection of FREE online information by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/ ===========================================================================