The Benjamin Roberson Jenkins Family

Facts by Fannie Jenkins Owen

On January 2, 1879, Mary Frances, a daughter of the Honorable George A. Newton of Larissa, married Benjamin Roberson Jenkins, who had come to Texas from Hillsboro, Tennessee, in 1875, to begin a teaching career at Old Larissa. Immediately following their wedding, the couple returned to Tennessee, where he entered Beech Grove College at Beech Grove, receiving his B. A. degree the following year and returning to Larissa to teach.

After moving to Jacksonville, he continued his teaching career which spanned 50 years. He was superintendent of the Jacksonville School for a number of years. At the present site of the Tomato Bowl, there stands a few of the tulip poplar trees which he planted while filling this position. Many students who went to school to "Professor" Jenkins have contributed largely to the success of the present town of Jacksonville. He and Mrs. Jenkins were active in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served for several years as Sunday School Superintendent.

Benjamin R. and Mary Frances Jenkins were parents of four children—two daughters presently residing in in Jacksonville: Fannie, who married Fay Owen, and Cornelia, who married Lee G. Carter and served as librarian of Jacksonville Public Library for a number of years. Vera married C. B. Scully and lives in Tyler. Ben N. Jenkins, the only son, lives in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Grandsons of the couple include Carlos Scully of Tyler, Ben N. Jenkins, Jr., of Waco, and Robert Lee Jenkins of Oklahoma City. Granddaughters are Rosemary Carter (Mrs. Jack Purse) of Topeka, Kansas, Elsie Lee Carter (Mrs. Lawrence Byrd) of Midland, Shirley Bess Carter (Mrs. Alex Seymour) of Tyler, Maxine Owen (Mrs. Arlis D. McKnight) of San Antonio, and Eleanor Owen (Mrs. Fender May) of Jacksonville, who recently retired as vice-president and trust officer of First National Bank of Jacksonville.

Benjamin Roberson Jenkins and his wife, Mary Frances Newton Jenkins, left their imprint on the history of Jacksonville, and their descendants, which include ten great-grandchildren, can point to this with pride.