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Reuben Ransom JENKINS
Prepared by Madeline JENKINS Millard
 

Reuben Ransom JENKINS was the son of Davis JENKINS (b. about 1828; d.20 January 1901) and Clarissa STAGE (b. 1830; d. before October 1869). Both parents were born in Chemung County, New York. Reuben had two older siblings: Herman JENKINS (b. about 1848) and Smith JENKINS (b. about 1852).

First Generation

 1. Reuben Ransom JENKINS 1 was born2,3,4 on 18 October 1861 in New York. State. He died5 on 23 August 1938 in New York State. He was buried6 in Garrett Mandeville Dutch Reformed Cemetery; Slaterville, Caroline, New York.

Reuben was counted in an Ashland, Chemung County, New York census in 1870 where he was listed as "son" at age nine7. He was counted in an Ashland, Chemung County, New York census in 1880 where he was listed as "son" and a laborer at age eighteen8,9,10. He was listed in an Elmira, Chemung County, New York city directory in 1888 as a teamster, residing on College Avenue near the city limits11. He was listed in an Elmira, Chemung County NY city directory in 1891 as residing at Carrs Corners12. He was employed as a teamster in Elmira, Chemung County, New York in 189113. He was divorced sometime between 1900 and1920 in New York State. He was counted in an Elmira, Chemung County, New York census in 1900 where he resided at 1121 Abbott Street, was 39 years old and had been married for 16 years14. He was listed in an Elmira, Chemung County, New York city directory in 1900 as a teamster residing at 1121 Abbott Street15.

1900 Federal Census, page 6A, indicates that Reuben and Emma had been married 16 years. It also indicates

two sons (Fred [15] and Edward [10]) with the surname of "Jenkins". Did Reuben and Emma really have two sons,

or was Fred the son of Emma's first husband, LaVern B. Poole? Were Reuben and Emma really married for 16

years? Would Emma have had two sons named "Frederick"? This is impossible as 16 years would take marriage

back to Emma's marriage to La Vern B. POOLE. MLM

 He was counted in a Perinton, Monroe County, New York census in 1920 where he was listed as a farm laborer, aged 58, married to Pearl G., and living in rented quarters16. Reuben must have been living in Perinton before that because his name appears in a list of offices to be filled in Monroe County, New York communities in the upcoming 1913 election. In the list for Perinton are five constables, including Reuben, whose terms are expiring. ("Board of Elections: Perinton." Rochester [New York] Democrat and Chronicle. 8 September 1913, col.7, np. Accessed from <http://www.fultonhistory.com> [Item: 201913/282083] 9 Feb 2007.)

PROFILE: Reuben Ransom JENKINS was born in New York State on 18 October 1861. We do not know exactly

where he was born, but the first Federal Census after his birth (1870) shows him living in Ashland, Chemung

County, New York at the age of nine. Reuben’s father was Davis JENKINS, a carpenter, but details are

inconclusive as to which of Davis’ two wives was Reuben’s mother. The best clue is that the 1870 census shows

Reuben, age nine, living with Davis and his wife, Lydia Jane (maiden name unknown). The same census records

that they had been married only nine months - in October 1969. We do know that Davis also had been married to

a Clarissa (birth name unknown) but we have no dates for her or their two sons, Herman and Smith. To our

knowledge, Reuben was the couple’s only child. His half-brothers are not mentioned in the census, so they may

have been grown and out of the home. Davis was 42 and Lydia Jane was 37 at the time of the 1870 census. At age 18, Reuben is still living at home in Ashland and his occupation on the 1880 census is listed as "laborer."

The 1891 Directory for the City of Elmira, New York, lists Reuben’s residence as Carr’s Corners. In 1892, Elmira historian, Ausburn Towner, wrote that "it had within its limits some of the most important and most attractive features that are now within the city limits, and its thickest settled spot which in any other locality than in the immediate neighborhood of a large town would have aspired and with justice to the rank of a village. This latter

described place has long been known as Carr’s Corners. … Little else than broad fields, a few steep hills, an

elegant home here and there, farm-houses, and barns remain to the township. Yet within its limits live some of the

most distinguished men of the country." One of those distinguished men who built his family’s summer home in the

area of Carr’s Corners was Samuel Clemens, perhaps better known as Mark Twain. Clemens, who lived between

1835 and 1910, would have been a summer resident while Reuben Ransom Jenkins also lived in Carr’s Corners.

By the 1900 Federal Census, Reuben is 39 years old and head of the household at 1121 Abbott Street in

Elmira. In addition to Reuben, the family consists of his wife, divorcée Emma Louise HOOVER Poole, her son

Frederick Alfred POOLE (age 15) from her first marriage and Edward Milton JENKINS (age 10) - Reuben and

Emma’s child. As far as we know neither spouse had any other children. At this time Reuben’s occupation was

listed as "teamster." No, he did not drive a truck, but a pair of draft horses and a large wagon.

After this, we lose track of Reuben for a while. Some correspondence he sent to Edward is postmarked

Fairport, New York. By the 1930 census, Emma and Reuben are divorced and she and Edward are living by

themselves in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. Oral family history has it that whatever Reuben did, Emma

was so furious with him that she changed her surname back to POOLE.

The family story is that Edward was not as disaffected as his mother and so maintained a close relationship

with his father and stepmother, a woman named "Pearl" whose history we do not know. The story goes that

Reuben and Pearl and various other Jenkins relatives came upon hard times and that Edward sneaked food out

of his mother’s kitchen and from his wife Stella’s larder to help them out. They lived in some sort of county-owned

cabin outside of Ithaca, near Enfield and would walk all the way into town to see Edward and to ask for assistance

from time to time.

I never knew my grandfather and, of course, the family situation was never discussed with me as a child. I do

remember hearing that there were Jenkinses living on Utica Street - the next block over from our Tioga Street

house - but never received a satisfactory answer as to why we did not socialize with those relatives. I believe that

Pearl outlived Reuben, because once in a while my mother, Stella, would nod and/or speak briefly to a woman on

the street and when I asked who the woman was, would be told she was "Pearl Jenkins" with no further

explanation.

I remember and loved my grandmother Emma but, also, I have inherited many pictures of Reuben and Pearl

outside an unpainted cabin or on picnics with my father, and the photos make me wish I had known this imposing

man in his huge boots, and the always sparkling Pearl, who apparently kept a spotless apron and happy home

whatever their living conditions.

Reuben died on 23 August 1938 and is buried in the Garrett-Mandeville Dutch Reformed Cemetery in

Slaterville, Candor Township, Tompkins County, New York. He rests in the family plot near the headstone marking

the graves of Emma and her parents, George W. and Pluma WHITELY Hoover. I have not yet discovered where

Pearl is buried, as there are several Pearl Jenkinses in Ithaca area cemeteries. (By Madeline JENKINS Millard. 18

October 2007. See also "Sources" profile.)

CENSUS 1920: Transcriber misspelled Jenkins as "Jenssens". Address is also illegible. Enumerator wrote over

his/her mistakes making original and correction both unreadable. Enumerator's name is also illegible. (MJM).
 
 

 Reuben married (1) Emma Louise HOOVER daughter of George W HOVER and Pluma Annette WHITELY about 1888 in New York State. The marriage ended in divorce sometime between1900 and1920 in New York State.

Emma was born17 on 22 Jan 1866 in New York State. She died18 on 12 June 1945 in Tompkins County, New York. She was buried19,20 in Garrett Mandeville Dutch Reformed Cemetery; Slaterville, Caroline, New York.

Emma was counted in a Danby, Tompkins County, New York census in 1870 when she was four

years old and living next door to her grandfather, John Hover21,22. She was counted in a Vestal, Broome County, New York census in 1880 when she was age 14 and still living at home23,24 . She was counted in a Elmira, Chemung County, New York census in 1900 when she was 34 years old and had been married for 16 years.25,26 . She was employed as a practical nurse in New York State27. She was counted in a Caroline Township, Tompkins County, New York census in 1920 when, at age 53, she was divorced and living with her father, George W. HOVER28. She was counted in an Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York census in 1930 where she was residing on Aurora Street at age 62, and describes herself as a "widow" and gave her surname as Poole29.

Last known residence of Emma was as a live-in housekeeper for Mr. Addison McCoy in Mecklenburg, NY. (My

personal experience, MLM)

CENSUS: 1910 Census is incorrect. Emma would have been only 43. Also Pluma Whitely Hover was still living

and 1910 census shows them living elsewhere.

CENSUS: 1930: Emma's son, Edward Milton JENKINS, was 35, single and still living at home.

 Reuben and Emma had the following children: 2 M i. Edward Milton JENKINS "Ed"30 was born31,32,33,34 on 13 June 1888 in Elmira, Chemung County, New York. He died35 on 3 July 1968 in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. The cause of death was kidney failure due to enlarged prostate. He was buried36 on 8 July 1968 in East Lawn Cemetery; Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York.

Edward married57,58 Stella Elizabeth WILLBRAND daughter of Karl WILLBRAND and Elizabeth L LITZ on 8 July 1931 in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York59.

Stella was born60,61 on 3 September 1897 in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York. She died62 on 15 March 1990 in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. She was buried63 in March 1990 in East Lawn Cemetery; Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York.
 
 

 Reuben married84 (2) Pearl G UNKNOWN sometime before 1920 in New York State.

Pearl was born85 circa 1875 in New York State.

Pearl was counted in a Perinton, Monroe, New York census in 1920 where she was working outside the home, at age 45, and married to Reuben86. She resided in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. She sent a wedding card to Don and Maris Udey in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York on 29 Nov 194187.

CENSUS 1920: Transcriber misspelled Jenkins as "Jenssens". Address is also illegible as is her employment.

Enumerator wrote over his/her mistakes making original and correction both unreadable. Enumerator's name is

also illegible. (MJM).
 
 
Appendix A - Sources
 1. Willbrand FREY, Stella. Baby Book,. (Property of Laurie MILLARD Allin.) Laurie MILLARD Allin; Morrison, Jefferson County, Colorado.

NOTES: Note in Stella WILLBRAND Jenkins' hand says that Reuben Ransom Jenkins died on 23 Aug 1938,.

2. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard (Unpublished.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

3. 1920 Federal Census: Perinton, Monroe County, New York (JENKINS). ( <Ancestry.com>. Accessed 7 Mar 2008. Sheet 5B, line 77: enumeration date: 24 Feb 1920.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Surname is misspelled as "Jenssens" by transcriber. "Reuben" is also spelled "Ruben" by enumerator.

4. Unknown author. Family Search: Household Record for Davis JENKINS. (1880 U.S. Census. Family Search [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]. <http://www.familysearch.org/>. Family History Library Film: 1254816NA Film Number: T9-0816, Page Number: 151D. Accessed 1 Sep 2008.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Document is stored in Davis JENKINS' binder file.

5. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

6. CEMETERY: Old Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery [Garrett-Mandeville] - (second record) (Tompkins County, NY GenWeb. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~nytompki/cemeteries/oldutch2.htm> page 1. Accessed 6 June 2007.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

7. 1870 Federal Census: Ashland, Chemung, New York. (Page 1, Ancestry.com) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado. NOTES

8. 1880 Federal Census: Ashland, Chemung, New York. (Ancestry.com. Pages 3- 4.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Household at 1880 census consisted of Davis JENKINS, husband; Jane, wife; and Reuben K., son. Jane UNKNOWN was Davis' second wife and step-mother of Reuben, whose mother was Clarissa STAGE Jenkins. Reuben is listed as "Reuben K" but actually is Reuben R(ansom).

9. Unknown author. 1880 Federal Census: Ashland, Chemung, New York. (<http://www.joycetice.com/censusc/1880as03.htm>. Accessed 1 Sep 2008.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Copy of this report is stored in Davis JENKINS' binder file. MJM.

Household at 1880 census consisted of Davis JENKINS, husband; Jane, wife; and Reuben K., son. Jane UNKNOWN was Davis' second wife and stepmother of Reuben, whose mother was Clarissa STAGE Jenkins. Reuben is listed as "Reuben K" but actually is Reuben R(ansom).

10. Unknown author. Family Search: Household Record for Davis JENKINS.

11. Williams, J.E. 1888 William's Directory City of Elmira, Chemung County, NY (Tri-Counties Genealogy & History. <http://www.joycetice.com/director/1888p226.htm>. Accessed p.226 14 Oct 2008.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Unable to find a key to abbreviations in the transcription of this directory. I'm not entirely sure I have it correctly.

TEXT: "Jenkins Reuben, teamster, h E s College av n city limits."

12. Williams, J.E. 1891 William's Directory City of Elmira, Chemung County, NY (<http://www.joycetice.com/director/1891p232.htm>. Accessed 10 Mar 2007. ) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

13. Williams, J.E. 1891 William's Directory City of Elmira, Chemung County, NY.

TEXT:"Jenkins, Reuben, teamster, h Carrs Corners."

14. 1900 Federal Census: Elmira, Chemung, New York. (Ancestry.com. Sheet 5A& 6A.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

15. Hanford, George, 1900 Hanford's Elmira City and Elmira Heights Directory (Directories of Chemung County, NY; Joyce M. Tice, ed. <http//www.joycetic.com/director/1900e282.htm>.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

TEXT: "Hoover, Frederick, mattress maker, h 458 Tompkins

"Hoover, George W, laborer, Grant near Davis

"Jenkins, Harmon W, laborer, h.1001 Davis

"Jenkins, Reuben R, teamster, h 1121 Abbott."

NOTES: There is no indication which are streets, roads or otherwise. Hoovers were accessed on 9 Mar. 2007. Jenkins were accessed on 1 Sep 2008. (Page no. for Jenkins is 302.)

16. 1920 Federal Census: Perinton, Monroe County, New York (JENKINS).

17. Hover, George W. – entries I his own hand. BIBLE: Family Bible belonging to George W. Hover.

TEXT: "Frank Hover was born May the 3 1876".

NOTES: Bible is located in the Caroline Township Museum. Barbara Kone, Historian, Town of Caroline Museum, Post Office Box 136, Slaterville Springs, New York 4881.

NOTES: Madeline JENKINS Millard has photocopies of the Birth, Marriage, and Death pages.

18. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

19. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

20. CEMETERY: Old Dutch Reformed Church Cemetery [Garrett-Mandeville] - (second record).

21. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

22. 1870 Federal Census: Danby, Tompkins County, New York; Page 4. (Ancestry.com.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

23. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

24. 1880 Federal Census: Vestal, Broome, New York. Page 480. (Ancestry.com.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

25. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

26. 1900 Federal Census: Elmira, Chemung County, New York: Sheet 5A& 6A.

27. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Conversation with Stella WILLBRAND Frey Jenkins. (Unpublished.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Stella Jenkins was mother of the author and sister of Timothy.

28. 1920 Federal Census: Caroline, Tompkins County, New York: Sheet 9A. (Ancestry.com.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

29. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

30. OBITUARY: JENKINS, Edward Milton (Syracuse Herald-Journal. 10 Jul 1968, c.3. Transcribed by Diane Wilson Flynn.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Furnished to Madeline JENKINS Millard by Diane Wilson Flynn in an e-mail dated 7 Jan 2008.

31. Hover, George W. – entries I his own hand. BIBLE: Family Bible belonging to George W. Hover.

32. Nash, Janet (aka JanMarie). 08 Feb 2007 E-mail to Madeline JENKINS Millard.

33. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard. (Unpublished.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

34. Morgan, H. S. - registrar, World War I Draft Registration Card A (EM Jenkins) (5 June 1917. Ancestry.com Accessed 8 Mar 2008. ), Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

35. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard.

36. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard.

57. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. "Profile of Edward Milton JENKINS", Sent to Birthdays (Genealogy) e-mail list 13 Jun 2007. Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

58. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard.

59. Millard, Madeline JENKINS, "Profile of Edward Milton JENKINS."

60. Millard, Madeline Jenkins. Oral history from Stella WILLBRAND Frey Jenkins. (Unpublished.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

NOTES: Stella WILLBRAND Frey was Fredericka's mother.

61. Eckert, Arthur G – Enumerator. 1910 Federal Census: Carl WILLBRAND Family (Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York. District 111, Sheet 4. 18 April 1910.) Madeline JENKINS Millard, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

62. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard.

63. Millard, Madeline JENKINS. Personal knowledge of Madeline JENKINS Millard.

84. 1920 Federal Census: Perinton, Monroe County, New York (JENKINS).

85. 1920 Federal Census: Perinton, Monroe County, New York (JENKINS).

86. 1920 Federal Census: Perinton, Monroe County, New York (JENKINS).

87. Udey, Stella Maris FREY. Wedding Book: Donald E. Udey, Sr. and Stella Maris FREY. (29 Nov 1941 - Wedding date.) Kristen UDEY Stamper. Handwritten notes copied from book by Madeline JENKINS Millard.
 
 

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Published On Tri-Counties Site On 18OCTOBER 2008 
By Joyce M. Tice
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