JENKS' WEB PAGE
From New York to Illinois
In 1854 Warren Jenks and his family moved to Western Illinois. It was apparently the result of a lot of publicity about the development of the improved means of transportation in the United States during the 1840’s. The Erie Canal showed how improved transportation could be a big factor in economic development in the area. A short time later the railroads took over the transportation development to make year-round movement a reality.
We do not know exactly why Warren Jenks decided to move but can speculate that there must have been a considerable amount of publicity and, perhaps, correspondence with others who have moved. It is apparent that the development of the railroads to the Buffalo area as well as the Lake Shore Line along the South side of Lake Erie were important, but the final link was the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad that started in 1850. It was a success at the outset, not like many others, as it was efficiently run and profitable from the start. It had to create a bit of publicity as investors moved to buy stock.
Interestingly, this railroad line was partly developed by the Wheaton family in Wheaton, Il where Warren finally moved in his later years and where the present family grew up.
The early line went through Elgin, Il and Rockford, IL out toward Galena, but never made it, as it connected with the Illinois Central near Freeport, IL. However, a later branch started off of Turners Junction, (present day West C Whicago, IL) and went out to Dixon and later to Morrison toward the Mississippi River. This line became the later main line of the Chicago Northwestern and now the Union Pacific.
In an obituary for Warren Jenks in 1902, there is a story of the treck from New York to Fenton, IL. 'Mr. Jenks and his family came to Illinois in May, 1855. As the railroad was finished only to Warren they were taken to Galena, IL in a stage. While travelling thus the stage was accidentially thrown from a bridge and Mr. Jenks was seriously injured. They had to remain in Galena until his recovery. While there their only daughter (Martha) was taken sick with the cholera and died. As soon as Mr. Jenks recovered they resumed their journey and came by way of the Mississippi River to Albany, arriving there on the 1st of June. He then came to Fenton and bought the farm on which he has since resided.'
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