Simon S. Jenkins

As printed in 1902

SIMON S. JENKINS.

Successfully engaged in general farming, Simon S. Jenkins makes his home on Section 26, Pike township, Clark county. He was born in Jackson township, Champaign county, December 19, 11848, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Michael) Jenkins. His paternal grandparents were William and Catherine (Mooney) Jenkins, both of whom were born in North Carolina. In 1819 they came to Ohio, settling at Westville, and in 1820 they removed to a place on Chapman’s creek. In 1821 they bought a farm known as Clay Bank and removing thereon made it their home throughout their remaining days. William Jenkins died in 1845, and his wife in 1860. Their children were as follows: John, born December 13, 1801, married Barbara Baker, daughter of Rudolph Baker, and they had eleven children: Elisabeth became the wife of Michael Zerkle and had two children. Sarah married Jacob Nicholas and reared a large fam- Levi married Sarah Shaffer and had four children. Margaret became the wife of Samuel Helvie and had five children. Wiley, born December 13, 1810, wedded Charlotte, daughter of Fred and Catherine Michael, and had eleven children. Judy became the wife of Jacob Michael, a son of Fred and Catherine Michael, and they had six children. William married Becca Ann Lemon, a daughter of William Lemon, and Martha became the wife had two children. of Samuel Isinbarger and had seven children. David, the next member of the family, was the father of our subject. Mary, the youngest, became the wife of Thompson Tullis.

The father of our subject was probably a native of North Carolina. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof in Ohio, however, and in the public schools acquired his education. About 1842 he was united in marriage to Elisabeth Michael, who was born December 25, 1824, in German township, this county, and they became the parents of nine children, eight of whom reached years of maturity and are still living. Lucy Jane is the wife of Benjamin Kiblinger, of Belle Center, Logan county, Ohio, and they have three children, Elmer, Carrie and Irvin. Malinda A. is the wife of Samuel M. Baker, who resides near Dialton, Ohio, and they have two pairs of twins, Sidney G. and Viola, Charles and Asa. Simon S. of this review is the next of the family. James M., who lives in Anna, Shelby county, Ohio, married Alice Myers and they have six children, Harry, Hattie, Ranna, Fred, Charles and Raymond. Amanda I. is the wife of Samuel Freeze and lives in German township, Clark county, with their four children, Florenee, Elva, Chester A. and Alta. Allen M., of Springfield, wedded Mary: C. Swartzbaugh, and their children are Howard Leroy and Ruth E. Martin M., a resident of Anna, Shelby county, married Anna C. Hartman and has three children, Ethel, Leone and Hartman. Mary E., the youngest of the family, is a resident of Pike township, this county. The father, David Jenkins, carried on farming for a number of years and then turned his attention to merchandising, entering into partnership with his brother-in-law, William Michael, at Dialton, in which business he was engaged up to the time of his death, in October, 1860. In addition to his interest in the store he owned one-half interest in the building in which they carried on business, the lot on which it stood, and one hundred and twenty acres of farm land. In politics he was a Democrat and was a member of the German Reformed church, in which he was honored with official positions.

In his boyhood days Simon S. Jenkins remained upon the home farm and acquired a good English education in the common schools. At the age of twenty he became a student in New Carlisle, where he remained for eight weeks, when he entered the Normal of Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching when twenty years of age, and followed that profession for thirty consecutive years, being employed in both the district and village schools. His services in this direction were satisfactory and he became widely known as a successful educator.

On the 30th of October, 1873, in German township Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Lida E. Callison, who was born in Pike township, September 6, 1854, a daughter of Moses and Mary J. (Heck) Callison. They now have three children. Inez C., born in Pike township, April 17, 1875, was married March 15, 1900, to John M. Neff and lives in Montgomery county, Ohio. To them was born, January 15, 1901, a son whom they named Percy J., who died October 7, 1901. Irene G. and Iona B., twins, born October 29, 1881, are at home.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Jenkins purchased five acres of land near North Hampton and made his home there for ten years. In 1884 he sold that property and purchased his present farm of forty-four and two-thirds acres, to the development and improvement of which he is now devoting’ his energies, with the result that good harvests annually reward his labors. Mr. Jenkins voted for Horace Greeley in 1872 and has always been a Democrat. In 1875 he was elected township clerk and served for three years. In 1878 he was elected assessor and filled that position for two terms, while for a similar period he was assistant assessor. In 1891 he was elected township trustee and has since been the incumbent in that office. To various conventions of his party he has been sent as a delegate, and entirely without his solicitation or knowledge he was given the nomination for county treasurer. Asa public official he has always been loyal and prompt in the performance of his public duties and his career has awakened the commendation of the members of the opposition party, as well as of those of the members of the party to which he belongs.. Socially Mr. Jenkins is connected with Caritas Lodge, No. 505, 1. OOTP cat New Carife, filled all of its chairs and was appointed district deputy grand master, filling that position for one year. He installed officers in all of the lodges of his district with the exception of German Lodge, and he has been secretary of his home lodge for ten years.

His life is in harmony with the beneficent and helpful spirit and teachings of the fraternity and he is widely and favorably known in the order. His political record, too, is one above reproach, and his work as an educator has bene- Mr. Jenkins, in all life's relations, has commanded the respect of his fellow men, and as ome of the representative citizens well deserves mention in the history of Clark county.

filed mankind.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.