OBITUARY - ERNEST W. JENKINS

Submitted by: Jan Redelsperger, jansperger at gmail dot com

Source: "Kelsonian," Kelso, Cowlitz Co., Washington, November 6, 1915

Death Takes Respected Citizen

Yesterday morning about 8:30 o'clock witnessed the end of a long and useful life
when E. W. Jenkins passed away at the family home on South Second Street.
Months of agonized suffering which attended the ravages of a malignant cancer
that fastened itself upon him had accomplished its end.  About six months ago
Mr. Jenkins was taken to a Portland hospital where he submitted to an operation
which revealed a cancer in the stomach, and from this operation he has never
recovered.  He continued to take an active part in the business affairs of the
firm of Jenkins & Maurer, contractors and builders until after the work of
building the Silver Lake school house was commenced, but since that time Mr.
Jenkins has been slowly sinking until death ended his sufferings yesterday. 

In the passing of Mr. Jenkins his family loses a kind and loving husband and
parent, and the community one of its best and ablest citizens.  Standing high in
his profession, he has won much commendation for the capable manner in which he
has carried out construction work placed in his charge. The firm of Jenkins and
Maurer has won general recognition as a leading construction firm of
Southwestern Washington.  The firm has specialized during the past few years in
school, house building and among the structures erected by them have been the
Catlin Building in this city, the Toutle School, the Eveline School and others.
Mr. Jenkins, personally, had supervision of the construction of the Kelso
Presbyterian Church.

It is as a friend, however, that he will be most missed.  Of a quiet unassuming
nature, he held a most important place in the life of his friends.  His
aspiration was to do good and serve his fellow men.  His home life was almost
ideal, and the family circle are bravely hiding the deep grief and bereavement
which comes in such an hour.  In fact the entire community is deeply and
sincerely mourning the passing of this friend and neighbor. 

Ernest W. Jenkins was born at Asterville, Iowa, June 14, 1861, and at the time
of his death was 54 years, 4 months and 22 days of age.  At the age of 13 he
came west with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Jenkins, settling in Portland.
A few years later in 1879 he moved with his parents to Carrolls and has made his
home in this county most of the period of 36 years since.  He married Jennie M.
Poland at Carrolls September 4, 1892 and the couple have enjoyed a most happy
and contented married life.  Although this union was not blessed by any children
two adopted daughters, Verna and Helen Randall, nieces of Mrs. Jenkins, have
learned  to love him as a father.  Besides his grief stricken family he is
mourned by his aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Jenkins of Kalama, a sister,
Mrs. C. C. Ruckles of Kalama, and a brother, E. P. Jenkins of this city, and a
host of other relatives residing in this vicinity.

  The funeral was conducted this afternoon from the family residence with a
large number of friends and relatives from Kelso, Carrolls, Kalama and other
parts of the county in attendance, under the direction of Cowlitz Lodge  I O O F
of which Mr. Jenkins was a member.  He was also a member of the Woodmen of the
World.  Rev. S. Alex George, former pastor of the local Presbyterian Church
preached the funeral sermon.  The business houses of the city closed during the
funeral in memory of the deceased.  Interment was made in the I O O F cemetery.