180 金銀 HURON COUNTY. In 1854, two years subsequent to the death of his father, Mr. Jenks came to St. Clair, Mich., where he remained eight months, removing thence to Lexington, Sanilac County. He assumed the proprietorship and management of the hotel then known as the "Lexington Exchange," which he conducted five years. Subsequently he was interested in the construction of the "Cadillac House," of which he was the manager five years. During that period he invested heavily in lumbering, in which he foresaw large developments. He purchased a saw-mill and 500 acres of timber land, five miles north of Lexington, and entered vigorously into the manufacture of lumber products. In 1864, associated with J. L. Woods and George W. Pack, under the style of Pack, Jenks & Co., he purchased a saw-mill located at Allen's Creek, two and a half miles south of the present village of Sand Beach. The structure was built on the site of the first saw-mill that was erected on the east shore of "the thumb" on Lake Huron. It Its successor was of enwas operated by water. The larged size and was run by steam power. new management gave the mill a thorough remodeling and refitting, putting in all modern appliances and improvements. The firm became the owners of 15,000 acres of valuable pine lands, adjacent to the mill in Huron County, from which, during the 11 years that followed, they produced 50,000,000 feet of pine lumber. They owned also a steam barge and scow, which they operated to their full capacity in the transportation of their lumber to Cleveland, Ohio. Their business required also the employment of other vessels on the lakes, their own facilities being inadequate. The firm was dissolved Jan. 1, 1876. Mr. Jenks continued to press his own local business interests, and became the proprietor by purchase of a third interest in the lands owned by Carrington, Pack & Co, of Sand Beach, and within the same year —1876-—became the owner of the entire interest. It included 18,000 acres of land and the Dow House (then the Sand Beach House) at Sand Beach, besides an old store building, erected by the former proprietors in 1864. The hotel property has been greatly improved and is now under the management of Samuel East. On the dissolution of the firm with which he was originally connected, Jan. 1, 1876, Mr. Jenks di- Their salt works were originally constructed with immense pans, in which the work of evaporation was carried on by means of fire; but in 1883 the entire salt block was reconstructed and extensive improvements made. The evaporating is now done by steam, and the rate of production averages 150 barrels of salt each day. In the winter of 1883-4 the firm erected a large building for the purpose of manufacturing the finer grades of dairy salt, which they prepare for market in packages of all sizes to meet the demands of the trade, in sacks containing two, three, five, ten, twenty-eight, fifty-six and two hundred and forty pounds. The general mercantile operations of Messrs. Jenks & Co. were transacted in the building where originally established until 1882, in which year they erected a large brick block, 50 x 102 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, with a fine basement. The first story is divided into two departments, in order to carry on the business with system, one division being devoted to the sale of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, notions, etc., and the second department stocked with fancy and staple groceries, crockery, and 'other lines of merchandise suited to the local trade and common to such establishments. HURON COUNTY. The old store building is used as a hardware store, where an assortment of hardware is constantly on hand, including iron, steel, shelf-ware, stoves, building materials and farming implements, besides comprising all the merchandise indispensable to a regular ship-chandler's business. The pier of Jenks & Co. in the "Harbor of Refuge" at Sand Beach, is one of the finest docks on the lake, and was begun in 1873. At the outset of its construction, the Government contractor supplied some assistance, and the owners have added to it yearly until it is in its present very complete condition. The real-estate operations of the firm include the sale of 13,000 acres to actual settlers, and in the transaction of this branch of their business they have conducted it with reference to the permanent improvement of the county, and have divested themselves wholly of the odium of the speculative fraternity, that has materially retarded the progress of this portion of Michigan. They still own several thousand acres of land, and are the proprietors of one of the finest sample farms in Michigan. It is located south of the village of Sand Beach on Allen's Creek, and contains 400 acres. The agricultural operations, as carried on, demonstrate the adaptation of the soil and climate to the profitable prosecution of farming as a business pursuit. The live-stock operations of the owners are of a stamp which promise great future advantages to that interest in Huron County." Short-horned cattle are a specialty, the herds containing about 15 registered thoroughbreds and a large number of fine grades. About 100 head of cattle are kept in stock. The gentlemen composing the firm of J. Jenks & Co. are men of persistent energy, and are thoroughly alive to the fact that only in the principle of "living and letting live" can any business enterprise have a permanent basis, and they have won a general feeling of confidence by their public spirit and disinterested furtherance of the general interests of the community of which they are members. Their investments have been of immense advantage to the citizens of Huron County in developing its resources in every direction, and in affording avenues of employment to large numbers of the class whose efforts are the bulwarks of all national and sectional prosperity. Mr. Jenks, of this sketch, has been married twice. The first marriage occurred in 1837, at Crown Point, N. Y., when Miss Relief Huestis became his wife. She was born Sept. 4, 1811, in Coventry, Vermont, and was the daughter of Daniel Huestis. She died Jan. 18, 1873, at Sand Beach, and left a son and daughter, both of whom still survive her. George W., in business with his father, was born May 9, 1838, at Crown Point, N. Y. Mary E., wife of Charles S. Nims, was born at Crown Point, Sept. 25, 1846. Mr. Nims is also interested in the business of the firm. The marriage of Mr. Jenks to Mrs. Amanda Jenks, widow of his brother, Benjamin L. Jenks, occurred at St. Clair, in 1874. The issue of the first marriage of Mrs. Jenks comprised five children, born as follows: James M., July 14, 1850; Robert H., July 26, 1854; Jeremiah W., Sept. 2, 1856: Hester P., Dec. 12, 1858; and Martin L., July 15, 1861. The eldest was born at Crown Point, is a resident of Sand Beach, and is a member of the firm of J. Jenks & Co. Robert H. was born at Crown Point, N. Y., and is in the lumber business at Cleveland, Ohio. Jeremiah W. and Hester P. were born in St. Clair, Mich., and are both at present in Germany completing their education. The youngest, Martin L., is in the employment of the firm as shipping clerk, at Sand Beach. The residence of Mr. Jenks is situated on the northwest corner of Huron and State Streets, and is a fine brick structure, erected on an acre of ground purchased by the proprietor in 1877, and which has been converted into an imposing lawn. Mr. Jenks has been active in the social, political and religious affairs of the place where he resides. since the commencement of his career as a business man and citizen of the county. He became an adherent of the principles of Christianity in early life and connected himself with the Baptist Church at Crown Point, N. Y. He established similar relations with that denomination at Sand Beach, and has been active in its interests. In the fall of 1874 he was nominated by the Republicans of the 22d District at the Senatorial Convention, and elected Senator by a large majority. He served his constituency in a manner that reflected the utmost credit upon his character and proved the wisdom of their choice. He was Chairman of the Committee on the State Public School, and was a member of the Committee on Banks. In 1876 he was alternate Presidential Elector. |