Person Record

Metadata

Name

Jenkins, James Howard

Notes

James Howard Jenkins (1841-1922)

Mr. Jenkins was the son of James and Phoebe Donaldson Jenkins, was born was born in Bangor, Maine, January 24, 1841. His father in early years was a sea captain, but had forsaken the sea for the lumber business. His paternal grandmother was direct descendent of John Robinson of Leyden, the pastor of the Pilgrims.

Mr. Jenkins was educated in Boston, where he graduated at the age of seventeen, and afterward served on the staff of the Atlas and Bee as dramatic and musical critic.

In 1861 he enlisted as sergeant in Co. A, Twelfth Massachusetts infantry, and was afterward commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the Twenty-first Wisconsin Regiment. In 1863 he was captured and spent twenty months in Southern prisons, principally at Libby prison. On being exchanged he returned so emaciated that he weighed only 95 pounds. Upon his restoration to health he went into partnership with his father, who had come here and embarked in the lumber business in 1857. Some time after death of his father, Mr. Jenkins became a member of the Conlee Lumber company in which he is Vice-President.

(Oshkosh Daily Northwestern December 14,1895)

James married Mary Turnbull on September 18, 1867, she was born in Hartford , Connecticut, October 31, 1837, she died in Oshkosh on November 11, 1921, he passed away on Oct. 18, 1922. The couple had three children, Dr. Hester Jenkins, in Sarasota Springs, N. Y., Mrs. Anna Jenkins Lancaster, Chicago, later of Arlington, Mass., and a son James Jenkins of Springfield, Mass.

Mr, Jenkins was the president of the Thompson Carriage Co., President of the Little Wolf River Co., President of The German National Bank and held numerous position in several companies in Oshkosh. He was involved in the forming of the public library.

He also held several positions in Trinity Episcopal Church and was also a Mason.

He started in the lumber business with his father's firm, A. B. Knapp & Co. The firm was renamed J. Jenkin's & Co. after Knapp retired. He was also involved in the Conlee Lumber Co.

Civil War facts:

From: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Clerk
Age at Enlistment: 21
Enlistment Date: July 18, 1861
Rank at enlistment: Sergeant
State Served: Wisconsin
Was POW?: Yes
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company A, Massachusetts 12th Infantry Regiment on July 18, 1861.
Promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant on August 7, 1862.
Mustered out on August 7, 1862.
Commissioned an officer in Company B, Wisconsin 21st Infantry Regiment on August 7, 1862.
Promoted to Full 1st Lieutenant on Feb. 4, 1863.
Mustered out : March 24, 1865.