James
Jencks, mayor of the city of Bunker
Hill, Macoupin County, and a prominent and representative business citizen,
whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born here, March 9, 1863, and is
a son of William O. and Martha A. (Llewellyn) Jencks.
William O.
Jencks was born in Rhode Island, September 19, 1824, coming of illustrious
ancestry. The founder of the family in America, was James Jencks, who came
from England on the "Mayflower," and was later appointed by King Charles 1,
governor-general of Rhode Island, to treat with the Narragansett Indians.
Joseph Jencks, the father of William O. Jencks, married Esther Tyler, a
descendant of James Tyler, who came to America and settled in Rhode Island
with James Jencks. Joseph and Esther (Tyler) Jencks had a family of four
sons and six daughters, William O. being the youngest. In 1852 our subject's
father came to Bunker Hill and engaged in the carriage manufacturing
business and later founded the livery business to which his son succeeded 30
years later and which is one of the largest and most complete in this
portion of the State.
William O. Jencks is now living a retired
life. He possesses a notable record for military service, having held
commissions in three wars. He enlisted first in 1845 in the Plainfield
Rifles, of Plainfield, Connecticut, under Col. Judson B. Lyon, which took
part in the battle at Vera Cruz in the Mexican War, and returned in 1847. In
1859 when the troubles with the Kiowa and Comanche Indians brought on war,
he enlisted as a private, remained through the war and returned as a 1st
lieutenant. Again, when war clouds arose, this veteran, on April 21, 1861,
again offered his services, was commissioned 1st lieutenant of the Bunker
Hill Guards, and served three months. He was then given a position of the
greatest danger and served three years and nine days as a bearer of
dispatches. His military record is one of which he and his descendants may
well be proud, while his civil one is no less honorable. He has served as
justice of the peace and as supervisor, and in other local offices and has
taken an active part in politics. He is a very prominent Odd Fellow and has
been a delegate to the Grand Lodge on many occasions. He is a leading member
of the Methodist Church. He married Martha Llewellyn of Richmond, Virginia,
and the four survivors of their family of eight children, are: John W.,
Charles D., James and Oscar W., all of Bunker Hill.
James Jencks was
educated at Bunker Hill, attending both the Bunker Hill High School and the
Military Academy. When about 18 years old he succeeded his father in the
livery business. For years he has been one of the leading Republican
politicians of the county and has been particularly prominent in his native
city. In 1897 he was elected alderman and during his term of six years
devoted every energy to the development of Bunker Hill, advocating the
introduction of electric lights and cement paving and during his term, as a
member of the finance committee, assisted in paying off a large bonded
indebtedness. In April, 1903, he was honored by election as mayor, and his
clean, careful and economic administration gives satisfaction to all
parties.
On March 6, 1901, Mr. Jencks was married to Laura C.
Mercer, who was born in Macoupin County, May 2, 1870.
Fraternally he
belongs to several of the leading fraternal organizations, including the Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America, and to social
bodies, in which he and his wife are both popular.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 260-263.
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