The
life history of the subject of this sketch goes back to the pioneer
days, since which Mr. Jennings has been a very potent factor in the affairs
of Marion county, in which he is regarded as a foremost citizen in every
respect, therefore, for many reasons, it is deemed entirely consistent to
give him conspicuous mention in this volume.
Z. C. Jennings was born
February 14, 1838, in Marion county, Illinois. Israel Jennings, the
subject's grandfather, was a native of Maryland and when he reached young
manhood went to the state of Kentucky and while at Marysville married Mary
Waters in 1808. In 1818 he came to Marion county, Illinois, and settled six
miles southeast of Centralia, being among the very first settlers there,
having Indians as his neighbors, and the dense woods abounded in an
abundance of wild game. He was one of the squatters at Walnut Hill until
1827. This section was then a part of Jefferson county. It was here that Mr.
Jennings entered land, which he developed and where he died in 1860. His
first wife passed away in 1844 and he married a second time, his last wife
being Lear Sterling, of Centralia, this county. There were no children by
his second wife. The following are the names of the children by his first
wife: Israel, Jr., who married a Miss Davidson, was the father of eleven
children; Charles W., the subject's father; William W. left home in 1847 and
went to Wisconsin. He was in the mining, mercantile and grain business, in
which he made a fortune. In 1853 he went to California and engaged in gold
mining, but on account of failing health and trouble with his eyes, came
back to Marion county where he remained for several years, at one time
engaging in railroad contracting in northern Missouri. In 1861 he enlisted
in the Union army and served during the war, after which he settled in
Marion county and in 1875 he went to Austin county, Texas, where he lived
until 1890, when he came to Alvin, Illinois, and built a modern home, having
become prosperous. He first married Margaret Noleman. The date of his death
was 1904. He was highly respected by all. Ann, the third child of the
subject's grandfather, married Rufus McElwain, a farmer in Centralia
township, who later lived at Salem, this county. Mary, the fourth child, who
was known as "Aunt Polly," married a Mr. White. They lived near Walnut Hill
where he conducted a tanyard. John, the fifth child, died when he reached
maturity. The sixth child died when young. In Marion county, in the early
days, no citizen was more prominent than Israel Jennings, who was one of the
largest land owners of the county. He was a faithful member of the Methodist
church, and a good Democrat. In 1827 he was elected a member of the
Legislature when Vandalia was the capital of the state. He was a member of
the house contemporaneous with Peter Cartwright. He was postmaster at Walnut
Hill, Illinois, for many years, beginning in 1834. He was a slaveholder and
owned the only male slave ever held in this county. He came here before
there were any steam railroads, but during his life he noted wonderful
changes, being instrumental in bringing about much of the progress of the
county. He opened a store and gave dry goods and groceries in exchange for
produce, which he hauled, to St. Louis by wagon, bringing back supplies. At
the time of his coming to this county he had two daughters who had reached
maturity. They were taken sick while he was away in Shawneetown on one of
his usual trips and one of them died. There was no lumber in the community,
so a white oak tree was cut and a coffin hewn from it, in which to bury the
young lady, whose grave is on the old place he owned. He was known to be a
very eccentric man, and ten years before his death he bought a metallic
coffin, which he kept in the house until his death, and he was buried in it,
dying April 20, 1872. His wife died April 3, 1885.
Charles W.
Jennings, the subject's father, was born in Kentucky, and he came to Marion
county, Illinois, with his parents, settling one half mile from his father,
where he made a home, and became owner of nine hundred acres of land. He
married Mariah Davidson, a native of Kentucky, and the following children
were born to them: Sarah, deceased, married Capt. R. D. Noleman, who is also
deceased; Josephus W., deceased, was born October 29, 1827, lived on the old
place and was educated in the district schools. He was a merchant at Walnut
Hill, Illinois, until 1856, when he moved to a farm one half mile west of
that place, where he died November 20, 1890. He married Amanda Couch, who
was born January 8, 1834, the daughter of Milton and Mary (Beard) Couch.
They were the parents of the following children: Edgar, Frank, Mary, Lizzie
and Nancy. Harriett, the third child, married B. F. Marshall, who lived at
Salem, Illinois. They are both deceased. Maria E. married Silas Bryan, who
was county Judge, and lived at Salem, Illinois; Z. C., the subject of this
biographical sketch, was the fifth in order of birth. Nancy married James
Davenport, who is deceased. She is living at Salem, this county. America
married William C. Stites. Both are now deceased. Docia married Alram Van
Antwerp, who is deceased. She is living in St. Louis, Missouri.
The
subject's father was a man of excellent business ability and a good manager,
he having become wealthy. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and in politics was a Democrat.
Z. C. Jennings, the subject of this
sketch, grew to manhood on the old home place and was educated in the home
schools and the high schools at Salem and Centralia. When twenty-two years
old he married Mary J. Baldridge, daughter of James C. Baldridge, of North
Carolina, and Margaret (Rainey) Baldridge, a native of Kentucky. At the age
of nine years, James C. Baldridge came to Marion county with his parents.
Dornton and Mary (Boggs) Baldridge, who settled near Walnut Hill, Illinois.
James Baldridge and wife died in Jefferson county, Illinois. He married a
second time, his last wife being Tabitha, the widow of Isaac Casey.
The subject started on the place where he now lives to make a home. He first
owned forty acres of land, but being progressive he added to it from time to
time until he now owns a fine farm of four hundred and twelve acres, which
is in a high state of cultivation and one of the best stock farms in the
county. He has raised some high-grade horses and cattle and has made all the
improvements on the place himself, being regarded as one of the foremost
agriculturists of the county, holding high rank among the stockmen of this
locality.
Six children have been born to the subject and wife, as
follows: Dr. Dwight was born September 1, 1860, and he graduated at the St.
Louis Medical College in 1890, having previously attended the Carbondale
Normal School, and he read medicine with Dr. Richardson, of Centralia,
Illinois. He took up his practice at 4101 Washington avenue, St. Louis,
where he has since been residing and has built up a large practice. He
married Cora Locy, of Carlyle, Illinois, and three children were born to
this union, Beatrice, Dorothy and Dwight L. Charles Emmett, the subject's
second child, was born January 4, 1862. He is a farmer at Mosco, Washington,
also a dealer in stock and grain. He married Angeline S. Creed, of Centralia
township, and they have one son, Fred Allen. Maggie D., the subject's third
child, was born December 17, 1863, and married Lewis E. Thomas, of
Centralia, Illinois. He is a carpenter in the employ of the Illinois Central
Railroad. Their only son, Charles, is deceased. Samuel R., who was born
December 24, 1865, has always been a farmer and lived at home. Maria, who
was born January 22, 1871, died in August the same year; Harriett G., who
was born October 7, 1873, married E. M. Jones, of St. Louis. He is traveling
freight agent for the Southern Railroad. They have three children, namely:
Leona, Dwight and Grace.
The subject of this sketch lived at home
until 1859, and was in the lumber business with his father for awhile, then
he located on his present place. During the past few years he has devoted a
great deal of his attention to raising fruit. For two years he successfully
manufactured crates and berry boxes at Walnut Hill, Illinois.
Mr.
Jennings has always taken a great deal of interest in politics. He ably
filled the office of Supervisor for four years and other minor offices in
the Democratic party, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a well
read man on all leading topics. He has a substantial, beautiful and
well-furnished home, presided over by a most estimable helpmeet, his wife
being a woman of culture and refinement. Our subject is an uncle of Hon.
William Jennings Bryan. He is well and favorably known throughout the
county, being regarded by all classes as a man of force of character,
stability, industry and honesty.
Extracted 09 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 208-211.