HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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NELSON L. JANES (deceased), pioneer, Aurora, Ill., was born in Berkshire, Vt., Aug. 26, 1816, and was reared on a farm, where he received a very fair education. In 1854 he came to the West as a representative of the Fairbanks Scale Company, and for many years traveled extensively throughout the Northwest in its interest. For about ten years he had his home at Racine, Wis., but in 1865 removed to Aurora, where his remaining years were spent. Here he proved himself a useful and public-spirited citizen. His private residence was a fine structure, and he built several handsome houses which added to the appearance of the city. He was a member of the old New England Congregational church, and one of its most liberal and reliable supporters. The American Bible Society, as well as other organizations looking to the public good, found in him a generous friend. His death occurred April 3, 1900, in his eighty-fourth year. His widow, who was Miss Harriet Hawley Stone, survived him until May 12, 1903. His living children are Mrs. C. W. Anthony and H. N. Janes, both of Aurora.
DENNISON R. JENCKS, pioneer and retired merchant, Elgin, Ill., was born Oct. 13, 1837, in Adams, Mass., son of Henry Jencks, and came with his parents to Illinois. His father obtained a farm near Harrington, Cook County, where he remained until 1855, when he sold out, and moving his family to Dundee, embarked in the grocery business at that point, which he continued for a few years. There Dennison R. Jencks obtained employment as a clerk when fifteen years old, first with a drug firm, with which he remained for eight years, when he went into the drug business for himself as the junior member of the firm of Oatman & Jencks. This firm remained unchanged for three years, when Mr. Jencks sold out, and became a partner with C. F. Hall in the dry-goods and grocery trade. Two years later Mr. Jencks disposed of his interest in this enterprise to Mr. Hall, and opened a clothing house and shoe store, which he conducted in Dundee until 1873. Then removing to Elgin, he carried on his business there for a year, when he retired to take up a general insurance business, in which he was engaged until 1893, during that year retiring in favor of his son. Mr. Jencks was Postmaster of Dundee for six years, and Assistant Supervisor four years. For thirteen years he was member of the City Council from the Second Ward. He was married Oct. 25, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Allen S. Hollister, of Dundee. She died in Elgin Jan. 13, 1897.
FRED W. JENCKS, Insurance Agent an, Manager Opera House, Elgin, Ill., was born July 6, 1861, in Dundee, Ill., a son of D. R. Jencks, and came with his parents to Elgin in 1872. His education was secured in the city schools and in Elgin Academy, and when only sixteen years old he entered upon the insurance business, doing a general fire and life-work, in which he was decidedly successful. In 1886 he became manager of the Elgin Opera House, and has continued in charge to the present time. At the same time he became city bill poster in connection with the opera house business. He served as Alderman from the Second Ward two terms-from 1895 to 1899-and from 1901 to 1903 was President of the Water Board; was also President of the Illinois State Bill-Posters' Association from 1890 to 1896, and is at present a Trustee of the Association. He is a member of the M. W. of A., and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a trustee of the latter; is also a member of the Kane Lodge I. O. O. F. In 1884^Mr. Jencks married Miss Mary Ryne, of Elgin
