Charles E. Jennings

CHARLES E. JENNINGS. This gentleman is one of the most prominent lawyers of Salem and is serving with efficiency in the office of State's Attorney. Not only is he influential in the legal fraternity of Marion County, but throughout southern Illinois as well, for he is versed in law, mentally gifted and courteous. He possesses the social qualities which give him popularity in the best society and the manly character which insures the respect of those who know him. Since his election to his present position he has manifested a commendable zeal for the welfare of the citizens and a thorough knowledge of the intricacies of the law.

The ancestry of Mr. Jennings is worthy of special mention, inasmuch as for many generations representatives of the family have been identified with the development of various parts of the United States, being invariably public-spirited and progressive citizens. His great-grandfather, Israel Jennings, whom it is supposed was born in Maryland, went to Kentucky when young, and in Maysville, that state, married Miss Mary Waters about 1800. In 1818 he came to Illinois and settled six miles southeast of Centralia. The country was sparsely settled, its only inhabitants being straggling bands of Indians and a settlement of squatters at Walnut Hill. Until 1827 this part of the state formed a part of Jefferson County. Entering land from the Government, Israel Jennings continued to make his home there until his death, which occurred in 1860.

The first wife of Israel Jennings died in 1844 and he afterward married again, but had no children by his second union. The children born of his first marriage were,

1. Israel, Jr., deceased, who married and is survived by eleven children;
2. Charles W., who is also deceased, five of his children surviving him;
3. William W., a resident of Alvin, Tex.;
4. Mrs. Ann McElwain, who is the mother of four children;
5. Mrs. Mary White, who is usually known as "Aunt Polly;" and
6. John, who died at the age of maturity.

In Marion County there was in early days no citizen more prominent than Israel Jennings, who was one of the largest land owners ever in this section of the state. A man of firm Christian principles, he was for years prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his early manhood he was prominent in politics as a Democrat, and in 1827 was elected to the State Legislature at Vandalia (then the capital), and was a member of the House at the same time with Peter Cartwright. For many years, beginning in 1834, he was Postmaster at Walnut Hill. He was a slave-holder and owned the only male slave ever held in this county.

So early in the history of Illinois did Israel Jennings come hither that he found neither stores nor railroads in Marion County. He opened a store and gave dry goods and groceries in exchange for farm products. The latter he hauled to St. Louis and in his wagons brought back the supplies for his store. His banking business was also done in St. Louis. Salt was hauled from Shawneetown. At the time of coming to the county he had two young lady daughters, who were taken ill during one of his trips to Sliawneetown. One of the girls died, and there being no lumber in the vicinity, a white oak tree was cut down, hollowed out, and in that rude coffin the remains were buried on the home farm. As time passed by Mr. Jennings, his wife and another daughter were laid to rest in that family burial ground. He was a man of rather eccentric character, and ten years before he died, purchased a metallic cottin for himself, which was kept in the house until his demise.

The grandfather of our subject, Charles W. Jennings, was born in Kentucky, and accompanying his father to Illinois, settled within a half-mile of the latter's residence, making a permanent home upon the farm. He married Miss Maria Davidson and their union resulted in the birth of the following children:

1. Sarah, who married and is now deceased;
2. Josephus W., who is deceased;
3. Mrs. Harriet Marshall;
4. Mrs. Maria E. Bryan, the widow of the late Judge Bryan;
5. Mrs. Nancy Davenport;
6. Zeddock C.;
7. Mrs. America Stites, deceased; and
8. Mrs. Docia Van Antwerp, of Sedalia, Mo.

Grandfather Jennings died August 20, 1872, while his wife passed away at Salem April 3, 1885. They were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though for a time he was a partner in the lumber business with Capt. R. D. Noleman at Centralia, yet his principal occupation was that of farming, in which he met with such success that at the time of his death he owned one thousand acres of valuable land.

Josephus W. Jennings, our subject's father, was born on the old homestead October 29, 1827, and was reared upon the farm. In boyhood he attended the district schools and also conducted his studies in the Salem school. Entering the mercantile business lie carried on a store at Walnut Hill until 1856, when he moved to a farm one and one-half miles northwest of Walnut Hill, where his death occurred November 20, 1890. He married Miss Amanda Couch, who was born in this county January 8, 1834, and was a daughter of Minton and Mary (Beard) Couch. Her parents occupied a farm near Salem, and both are now deceased, his death occurring at the age of forty-four. Their children are, Mrs. Jennings; Robert, who lives at Marissa, this state; Porter, who is a resident of Eden. ILL.; and Milton, who makes his home with our subject's mother.

After their marriage the parents of our subject resided at Walnut Hill for three years, and afterwards settled permanently upon section 26, Centralia Township, Marion County, where lie engaged in farming and stock-raising. They are the parents of nine children, as follows:
Mary R., who married I. N. Baldridge; (They with their four children live near Walnut Hill.
C. E., of this sketch;

1. Frank E., who is married and lives in this county;
2. Daisy, who married O. V. Kell, of Centralia, and is the mother of two children;
3. Hon. W. Sherman, who for five years has been County Judge of and is at present a member of the Legislature from Hernando County, Fla., and makes his home in Brooksville;
4. Elizabeth, who is Assistant Postmaster at Centralia;
5. Nannie,
6. Eva and
7. Thomas I., who reside with their mother.

In the public affairs of this section J. W. Jennings took a prominent part as an advocate of Democratic principles. In 1850 he was chosen Coroner, served as Associate Judge for four years, was Deputy Internal Revenue Assessor during the war under Peter Smith, Deputy Sheriff under Capt. Joseph Schultz, officiated as Justice of the Peace and frequently was chosen delegate to county and congressional conventions. For years he was Supervisor of Centralia Township and served as Chairman of the Board.

In religious connections he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch was born at Walnut Hill January 7, 1855, and received his primary education in the schools of this place. Later he entered the Illinois Agricultural College, at Irvington, and was graduated in the scientific course with the Class of '75. For two years he was engaged in teaching school in Walnut Hill, after which, having resolved to enter the legal profession, he entered the Union College of Law in Chicago, graduating from that institution in June, 1878. Coming to Salem he formed a partnership with S. L. & J. E. Bryan, under the firm name of Bryan, Jennings & Bryan, which connection continued until the death of Judge Bryan. Since then Mr. Jennings has practiced alone.

May 5, 1880, occurred the marriage of C. E. Jennings and Daisy Martin. The bride was the youngest daughter of Gen. James S. and Jane (Elston) Martin, of Salem, and was born June 29, 1860. She is accomplished and cultured, her education having been conducted in the Wesleyan College at Cincinnati and the Jacksonville Female Seminary. In addition to broad knowledge upon miscellaneous subjects, she is especially gifted as a musician and is a talented pianist. Two children have blessed this union, Hazel D. and an infant who was born September 5, 1888, and died January 15, 1889.

Though not a member of any denomination Mr. Jennings is an attendant at the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife belongs. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Honor and the Masonic order and has served as Master of the blue lodge.

In politics a Democrat, he has been prominent in the councils of that party and has frequently served as its delegate to county and state conventions.

In 1885 he was appointed Master in Chancery and served for four years in that position. In 1888 he was chosen State's Attorney and four years later was re-elected to the office. He has also occupied the responsible position of President of the City "Board of Education of Salem, in which he has been instrumental in promoting the standard of education and advancing the interests of the public schools.

"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Published by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago in 1894
Page 390-392
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer