Surnames: Jenks, Griffiths, Dixon, Nelson, Smith, Berger, Devos, Shubert, Parker, Wing, Hoffman, Treat, Sorenson, Grunewald, Leisman, Blake

----Source: Abbotsford Tribune (Abbotsford, Clark County, Wis.) 05/10/1945

Jenks, Maxwell (14 May 1886 - 7 May 1945)

Funeral services for Maxwell Jenks, 55 years old, who died Monday of a cerebral hemorrhage, were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the armory. The Rev. G. E. Griffiths, pastor of the Presbyterian church, as well as boyhood schoolmate of Mr. Jenks, conducted the religious services and Past Grand Master Herbert W. Dixon, Menomonie, was in charge of the Masonic rites.

C. A. Nelson and Lloyd Smith, of Colby, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. William Berger, sang "In the Garden" and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Pallbearers were Deputy Grand Master Alfred L. Devos, Neillsville; Grand Senior Warden William E. Schubert, Appleton; Grand Junior Deacon, Van Dyke Parker, Madison; Frank B. Wing, Charles Hoffman and R. H. Treat, Abbotsford, past masters.

The many beautiful floral tributes were carried by he ladies of the Eastern Star, who attended the funeral in a body.

Masons from neighboring lodges and grand officers also attended and accompanied the body to the Abbotsford cemetery where internment was made, following Masonic rites.

Maxwell Jenks was born at Dodgeville, May 14, 1886, and would have been 59 years old next Monday. After his graduation from the Dodgeville high school he attended the Platteville State Teachers’ College for two years and then began his teaching career, which he followed for 18 years. He taught at Merrimac, Chetek, and Westboro and was principal in the Abbotsford schools for 13 years.

He served in the capacity of postmaster for three years when he became grand lecturer for the Masons. He also served as Marathon county supervisor.

At Chetek he became a Mason in 1914 and transferred to Abbotsford when he moved here in 1918. He served in various offices of the Abbotsford lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the various York rite Masonic bodies.

He was elevated to the office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the state of Wisconsin in 1938, an honor previously accorded his father, Judge Aldro Jenks, and brother, Frank. In 1939 he became grand lecturer, which kept him traveling throughout the state most of the time.

It was while he was at this work at Oconomowoc that he was stricken ill on Monday, April 23. He was taken to St. Joseph’s hospital, Marshfield last Thursday night and died there Monday afternoon, May 7. Mr. Jenks, though active in his work, had been failing in health for several years.

At the time of his death he was a member of the Abbotsford Lodge No. 298, the Medford chapter, a member of the Wisconsin Consistory, and a past grand patron of the Order of Eastern Star of the state of Wisconsin. He also was a member of the Modern Woodmen and an active member of the Presbyterian church.

He was united in marriage to Minnie Sorenson at Madison, Oct. 12, 1912, and is survived by her. Their one son, Merle is a private in the army, now serving somewhere in the Marianas.

He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Roy (Isabel) Grunewald, Dodgeville; and six brothers, Bernard of Dodgeville; Frank, Madison, Aldro, Hartford, Conn.; Goodsell, Glendale, Cal., and Allen, San Diego.

His parents both preceded him in death.

Among the immediate relatives from away who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jenks, Madison; Aldro Jenks, Hartford, Conn.; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Grunewald, Bernard Jenks, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Sorenson and daughter, Wanda Lou, Dodgeville; Mr. and Mrs. William Sorenson, De Forest and Mrs. Sorenson, New Lisbon.

Among close friends were Mrs. Florence Leisman, past grand matron of the Order of Eastern Star of the state of Wisconsin, of Lake Mills; and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Blake and daughter, Lois, Stevens Point.