Surnames: JENKS AUSTERMAN MURRISH

----Source: LOYAL TRIBUNE (Loyal, Clark County, Wis.) 02/20/1919

Jenks, Arthur H. (21 Apr 1881 - 14 Feb 1919)

TWO MEET DEATH IN WORST ACCIDENT IN YEARS

On Friday morning about 10:30 the residents of Loyal were aroused by what seemed to them, an explosion of some kind, accompanied by a jar and shaking of many of the building and business blocks. Those that were in the street saw on looking North a huge body soaring into the air which proved to be the boiler of the Jenks Creamery. The explosion was so terrific that it completely shattered the building and it is now a pile of ruins.

Mr. A. B. Jenks and Tommie Vogel were the only ones in the building at the time. Mr. Jenks was instantly killed and Tommie was badly hurt and rushed to the Marshfield hospital at once, where he died nineteen minutes after reaching the there.

The large steel boiler struck Nick Beaver’s barn, a distance of about a block from the creamery with such a force that it went through the roof and the upper floor.

Had the accident occurred earlier in the forenoon there would have been many more killed. Every window in the house of Mr. C. Vogel was broken as were some of the windows in the neighboring houses. The plate glass window facing the North of Horn’s Drug Store was also broken. Windows were shaken in houses over a mile distant. Fire started after the explosion but it was promptly extinguished with a few pails of water.

The exact cause of the explosion will never be known but it is thought it was caused by a defect in the boiler. The creamery and equipment will be a big loss, the principal thing that saved fron the inside was a lead or two of cheese in boxes which was unharmed.

During Friday afternoon and Saturday the wreck was viewed by hundreds of people from neighboring villages. The body of Mr. Jenks was removed to Taylor’s undertaking rooms where it was cared for.

(Follow on obituary in the same paper)

Arthur Harry Jenks died at Loyal on Feb. 14th at the age of 38 years. He was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Jenks, was born April 21st 1881 at Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wis. He aquired his early education at the District School and later attended the Lake Mills High School, from which he graduated in 1899, coming to Loyal in 1900. Later he took a four year course at Lawrence College in Agriculture at the State University at Madison. About ten years ago he returned to Loyal and he and his father purchased the creamery which he has since successfully operated.

Mr. Jenks has always taken an active interest in all movements for the betterment of the community and was a man who combined uprightness and integrity in all his business dealings. He has always been a strong temperance man and for many years was a member of the good Templar Lodge. Mr., Jenks has held the office of Village trustee for several years and other offices of trust. As a man he was respected by all. He had many warm friends in this vicinity, who deeply regret his death, coming at a time when he was in his prime.

On Nov. 29th 1913 he was married to Ethel Murrish of Cambridge, Ill. To this union one son was born, Harry J. He leaves to mourn his loss besides his wife and little son, a father Mr. George Jenks, one brother Romeyn M., one sister, Mrs. R. W. Austerman, all of Loyal, besides other relatives and a host of friends.

The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the M. E. Church, Rev. E. E. Strevey assisted by Rev. V. H. Helms conducting the service. Interment was in the Loyal Cemetery.

As a mark of respect every business place closed during the funeral.

The sympathy of the whole community is extended to the relatives in their bereavement.

The Shocked Citizen's of Loyal, Wisconsin surveying the damage from the Jenk's Creamery Explosion.

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Re: Obit: Jenks, Arthur H. (1881 - 1919)

Transcriber: Arthur H. Jenks
Email:  jenksa88343@earthlink.net