Marshall M. Jenkins, a native son of Macoupin county and one of its
highly esteemed citizens, was born on the old home place, April 12, 1870,
and as a result of his industry and application is able in the prime of his
life to give a good account of his stewardship. His parents are George W.
and Letitia (Swift) Jenkins, the former of whom is a native of Kentucky and
the latter of Macoupin county. The father for many years devoted his
attention actively to agriculture and stock-raising, and he and his wife are
now living in a very comfortable home in South Otter township. In their
family were five children: Isabel, who married David O. Crawford, of
Macoupin county, and is now deceased; Luella, who is the wife of John
Edwards, a farmer of this county; Marshall M., of this review; Janet, who
married John C. Hart, also of Macoupin county; and Fred Arlie, a resident of
this county.
After receiving his preliminary education in the
district schools Marshall M. Jenkins continued with his parents upon the old
homestead, assisting his father in the various operations of the farm. At
twenty-two years of age he began business upon his own account by renting
seventy acres of land, which he cultivated successfully for nine years. He
then purchased eighty acres on section 34, North Otter township, and
subsequently acquired one hundred acres in North and South Otter townships.
He is now the owner of one of the highly productive farms of this section
and makes a specialty of raising fine sheep and Poland China hogs. He has
been a thorough student of his business and as he possessed advantages of
excellent training in his earlier years, he has secured substantial returns
from his labors. A man of good business capacity, he has kept pace with the
progress which is visible in all lines of industry, and his farm is provided
with the best modern equipment. The keynote to his prosperity is careful
attention to details and a lively interest in his calling—elements that
seldom fail of success in any honorable undertaking.
On the 4th of
May, 1892, Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Eliza A. Dorks, a daughter of
Charles and Elizabeth (Slow) Dorks. The union has been blessed by the birth
of one child, Mildred Lucile, whose natal day was October 23, 1899. She is
now attending the public schools. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dorks were
seven children, namely: James, a resident of Greene county, Illinois;
Elizabeth, who married Ross Nettles, of Maxwell, Illinois; Mary Jane, who is
the wife of Charles Trill, of Rockbridge, Illinois; George, who makes his
home in Carlinville; Eliza, now Mrs. Marshall M. Jenkins; Florence, the wife
of D. W. Pitchford, of Modesto, Illinois; and Charles E., of Palmyra.
In politics Mr. Jenkins supports the principles and candidates of the
democratic party, believing that in so doing he is best advancing the
permanent welfare of the country. He is an earnest believer in the Christian
religion and his faith is indicated by membership in the Baptist church, of
which he is a liberal supporter. He has never sought the honors of office,
preferring to concentrate his attention upon his farm, and judging by the
result, he has chosen the wiser course, as he possesses an independence
which an office-holder can scarcely hope to attain. As a prosperous farmer
and a public-spirited citizen he occupies an enviable place in the community
and can confidently look forward to many years of increasing usefulness and
responsibility.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 55-56.
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