Biography of William Jenkins, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames listed: Jenkins, Maxfield.

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Transcribed by: W. David Samuelsen
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 
1902 by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. 

page 233

WILLIAM JENKINS

The birth of our subject was in that most famous of modern countries, the 
Emerald Isle, on May 15, 1820, where he remained until 1839, at which date 
he became enamored of freedom's land and made his way hither. His first
settlement was in St. Louis, where he remained until 1849, and then removed 
to Illinois. He was engaged there in tilling the soil until 1864, and then 
came to the west via the plains, using ox and horse teams for the journey. In
the same year he landed on the present site of Baker City and soon selected 
land eight miles northeast, where he gained title to five hundred and twenty 
acres adjoining the stage road. Here he settled and devoted his entire
attention to the rearing of cattle and horses, gaining the success that is 
the inevitable result of care and skill, coupled with industry, all of which 
were displayed in his career with exceptional excellence. For twenty-three 
years he toiled on this place and then removed with his family to Baker City, 
where he had a very comfortable home and resided for thirteen years. But on 
the 24th day of March, 1897, he was called to leave the land where he had
wrought so faithfully and had manifested forth the light of a worthy and 
noble Christian life, and come to the world where there will be death no 
more and where the proper reward of faithful service will be his for the
enduring ages. He was a member of the Methodist church, south, and a 
consistent Christian during his long life, which was fraught with kind deeds 
and generous sympathy. His demise was mourned by all and the funeral was a
time of expression of genuine sorrow at the loss, not only to his family, 
but to the entire community.

The marriage of Mr. Jenkins and Miss Elizabeth A. Maxfield took place in 
St. Louis in 1845, and to them were born the following children: Sarna J.; 
N. Emaline; Thomas H., deceased; William; Mary A.; John Edward; George
W.; Francis M. Mrs. Jenkins still survives, having passed about fifty-seven 
years of married life, and is active in the management of the fine estate 
left by her husband. She is in good health and passes the golden years with 
the calm assurance of contemplating a life well spent and buoyed by a bright 
hope for the future.
--End--