My Genealogy Hound

LAFAYETTE JENKS is a son of Obadiah and Melinthia (Mason) Jenks and was born in Essex county, New York, December 30, 1818. The Jenks have lived in the New England States for at least two centuries. The grandfather of subject was a native of Vermont, but his ancestors had gone up there from the home of Roger Williams. James Jenks was born in the “Green Mountain State” and from there came down into Essex county, New York, where he died. He was a miller and farmer by occupation; was married to a Miss Tripp and had seven children. Benjamin Mason, who was the other grandfather, also came to Essex county, where he died. Obadiah Jenks was born in the “Green Mountain State” and was brought to Essex county, New York, when thirteen years old. He was given a superior education for the times and later occupied the dignified position of school-teacher, which, in those days, was one of great honor but of small emoluments, and he abandoned teaching to learn carpentering and afterwards discarded the latter for farming. About 1837 or 1838 he came to the town of Poland and purchased a piece of land and, making a farm of it, lived there until he died, when eighty years old. He married in the home of his youth when about twenty-two years of age, taking for his wife Melinthia Mason, who bore him seven children, three of whom are yet living: Lucinda is the widow of Eli Taylor; Lafayette and James M., who makes his home in Ellington town. Originally, Mr. Jenks was a democrat of the Jeffersonian type, but at the inception of the Republican party, he transferred his allegiance to it and clung to its principles through life. He entered the war of 1812 as a private and soon after was promoted to be a captain and was engaged at the battles of Plattsmouth and Champlain. His business relations were open and straightforward throughout his life and his departure from earth was mourned and regretted.

Lafayette Jenks was one of those lads who were taught to work while young, although his early education was not neglected. Both the public and select schools were attended. He learned farming from his father and came from Essex county to Poland, Chautauqua county, where he has since lived.

In 1847 he was married to Harriet Babcock, of this town, and they had three children: the youngest, Charles S., is dead; of the other two, Alfred L. is a spice merchant in Buffalo, New York. He married Emily Preston and has one child, Wilmer; and A. Frank, a lawyer of Jamestown, who married Florence Sheldon and has two children — Leonora and Anna.

Politically Mr. Jenks is a radical and straight-out republican, who takes a deep interest in party elections. He is a member of the Baptist church, holding the position of deacon. Educational matters also receive some of his attention, his opinion being, that the strongest bulwark of the nation is the intelligence of her sons.

Alfred L. Jenks received an academic and business education, which fitted him for the eminent position he now occupies in the business world. A. Frank Jenks graduated at the University of Rochester, where he enjoyed the distinction of being prize orator. Later he read law with Senator Teller, of Colorado, and was admitted to the bar of Arapahoe county, in that State.

Charles S. Jenks was twenty-four years old when he died and had been educated at Jamestown in the academic and business courses. For some time he had been associated with his oldest brother in the spice business at Buffalo, but spent most of his time on the farm. He was married to Mary Frost and left her a widow with one little daughter, Mabel. She is now teaching school at Sinclairville.