Ray Jenkins

Ray Jenkins' paternal ancestry is Irish and although it is not known positively at what time Ray's direct ancestors arrived in America; an uncle of several generations back came to America as an officer in General Brad-dock's army and participated in some action as early as July 9, 1755.

Andrew Jenkins, whose wife was the former Barbara Ross, was born in Mifflin, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1793. His son William moved to Ohio in the early 1830's but apparently first settled in the Seneca County area.

William's son John who was born June 29, 1842, was about ten years old when the Jenkinses came to Henry County. The family bought land in Freedom Township on the site where Ray now lives on Road T at 17-E. The eighty acres was purchased from the State of Ohio in 1852 for $65. The State of Ohio had purchased the land from the U.S. Government in 1841.

In December, 1870, John Jenkins married Lydia Gehrett who lived near what is now the intersection of Roads T and 18. To this marriage were born six sons and one daughter: Andrew (1871), Benjamin (1873), Albert (1874), Charles (1875), Alton (1877), Mary Ellen (1879), and Robert W. Lydia Jenkins died and John was married again to Tabartha Peters; Martha Belle was born January, 1887, and the only daughter of this marriage. It was John Jenkins, Ray's grandfather, who built the house in which Ray and his wife now live.

John's oldest son Andrew married Nora Mauk, the daughter of Jacob and Susan Mauk, who was born February 11, 1870. When they married, they built a house on the north side of Road T just slightly west of the house in which Ray now resides. It was there that Ray was born in April, 1895. The family later moved across the road to the present residence. Andrew died December 24, 1938, and Nora in November, 1963.

Ray attended school at the Gehrett School which was just a short distance down the road from the family farm. He farmed all his life until his recent retirement. On May 1, 1923, Ray was united in marriage with Dora Billig. They moved in with Ray's parents and have lived in that house all their married life. Dora, a native of Grand Rapids, Ohio, was the daughter of Samuel Billig and Alverda nee Harman. She graduated from Liberty Center High School and attended Bowling Green Normal School, Bowling Green, Ohio.. She was a teacher for several years at schools located in Harrison and Monroe Townships of Henry County. Ray and Dora have been long time active members of the congregation which is now Christ United Methodist Church, Napoleon, Ohio. Dora regularly taught Sunday School for many years and still does on occasion. She is also active in the church's women's organization. Ray and Dora have been Farm Bureau members for many years and were at one time members of a Farm Bureau Council. For many years, Dora was active in the Extension Homemakers activities. Ray has always had a keen sense of humor and age hasn't altered this quality.

A daughter Sharon Gilliland now lives in a house built a few years ago on the site where the house in which Ray was born used to stand.

The Jenkins have four grandchildren.

Submitted by Ray Jenkins