JENKINS, Hiram W.

Source: Obituary-newspaper unknown

Hiram W. Jenkins, son of Elijah and Elizabeth Jenkins, who was the youngest of eleven children, was born January 6, 1819 in Montgomery County, Kentucky and left this life December 29, 1917 at his home with his daughter, Mrs. W. H. Cunningham in Cloverdale.

Had he lived eight days longer he would have been 99 years old.

He was married to Elizabeth J. Sturdevant of Clay County, November 17, 1842 who depart this life June 2, 1909. To this union were born five children: Mrs. Elza Thompson of Iowa, no deceased: Mrs. Alice Cline of Missouri; Mrs. W. H. Cunningham of Cloverdale, Mrs. J. K. Jenkins of Indianapolis and Mrs. J. R. Etter.

About 1827 the subject of this sketch came with his parents to Indiana settling just south of Putnamville. In about five years afterwards they entered a tract of land on Fall Creek which is now in the west part of Cloverdale township where he resided until he come to Cloverdale 21 years ago.

He was at one time the first of five living generations as follows: Hiram Jenkins, his daughter Mrs. Salina Jenkins, her daughter Ida Reeves, deceased, her son G. J. Reeves, his daughter, Rose Reeves.

The life of Uncle Hiram as he was familiarly called was remarkable in many ways. His married life which covered a period of over 67 years was one of continued joy and bliss. Not alone was his married life a source of happiness but his Christian life was and exception to the general rule.

At the age of 19 he joined the Regular Presbyterian Baptist Church of Smyrna in Owen County March 1838, which makes near a period of 80 years of church membership. During all this time he was never known to deviate from the belief of salvation by grace. The longer he lived the firmer he became in this doctrine, nor was this all, he often defended the doctrine with marked ability although he was not a minister he often talked in public.

He was a man of many virtues always discharging his obligations with promptness. A characteristic well worthy of the imitation of everyone.

The funeral was held at the residence on Monday at 10:30 conducted by a nephew of the deceased Elder William Skelton.

The pall bearers were also nephews, John Taber, Herschel Foster, David Skelton, W. D. Taber, John ONeal, and Jas. Taber.

He leaves to mourn, three daughter, nine grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.

His body was buried by the side of his companion in the Cloverdale cemetery in the tomb where silence reigns supreme, but his spirit is now basking in the sunlight of the Paradise of God.

Sleep on dear father till the resurrection morn.

Source: Crawfordsville Review 6 Oct 1914

Greencastle, Oct 5 – Hiram Jenkins of Cloverdale, Putnam County who is 96 years old, sat on the stage at the recent Beveridge meeting at Greencastle. Mr. Jenkins’ first political affiliation was with the old Whig party and when that party no longer represented the advanced thought of the people he joined with the Republicans. When the latter party began its disintegration he remained consistent and joined the Progressives. Mr. Jenkins has told his friends he expects to live to see Roosevelt President in 1916.