JESSE M. JENKINS.

Omnia Township.

[RKW spent a great deal of time on this particular file due to the spelling used for the last name of this man: known as Jenkin, Junken, etc. He tried to determine which of the various spellings were correct inasmuch as Jesse M. Jenkins (not Junken) became the first postmaster of Baltimore, a town previously named Omnia.]

Note: It has taken me a long time to realize that “Jenkins” is correct and “Junken” and other varieties of J. M.’s last name were incorrect. The first inhabitants in Cowley County were careless about writing names and the early newspapers sometimes had their ideas as to the spelling of names let alone initials.

The biggest clue was the township officers named in 1876 for Omnia township. The newspaper showed “Gillard” instead of “Gilliard” and “Henthorne” instead of “Henthorn” and topped it all off by showing J. M. Junken was the treasurer rather than J. M. Jenkins. Entries below show the correct spelling for these individuals.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 17, 1873.

Republicans of Omnia Township: Wm. H. Gilliard was elected Chairman, and J. M. Jenkins, Secretary.

The Omnia township census of 1874 listed A. M. Jenkins, age 27.

[COMPLETE LIST OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.]

Arkansas City Traveler, March 22, 1876.

Township—OMNIA:

TRUSTEE, W. H. GILLIARD.

CLERK, GEORGE WILSON.

TREASURER, J. M. JENKINS.

JUSTICES: E. A. HENTHORN; J. J. SMITH.

CONSTABLES: E. B. HALL; GEO. HAYCRAFT.

[COMMUNICATION FROM “A FRIEND”—OMNIA TOWNSHIP.]

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876.

March 28, 1876.

We are prospering as best we can, considering the disagreeable weather; have had quite a little winter since the first of March.

The farmers in this vicinity are waiting patiently for more settled weather, in order to put in their oats. The health of the community is very good, with the exception of the general complaints of colds.

We have recently had to witness the sad departure of one of our useful and worthy citizens, Mr. J. M. Jenkins, formerly of Illinois. He died of consumption. Mr. Jenkins was one of our prominent businessmen, and was beloved by all who knew him. He died at the residence of Mr. C. B. Hale, where he had been making his home since entering the State, and where he was most tenderly nursed and cared for. We laid him in our little village graveyard

Arkansas City Traveler, April 5, 1876.

Word comes that Jesse Jenkins, long the Post Master and merchant of Baltimore, Omnia Township, this County, died of consumption on the 17th of March. Deceased was widely known and had a large circle of friends.

[BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]

Arkansas City Traveler, April 19, 1876. Front Page.

William Schooling is hereby appointed Treasurer of Omnia Township, vice J. M. Jenkins, deceased.