By: Mark Holtsberry
Forest McKinley Jenkins was born in Haviland, Ohio, February 5, 1897. The son of John Andrew born March 30, 1862 in Jeffersonville, Ohio and Susie May (Gunderman) Jenkins born October 20, 1872 in Franklin County, Ohio. This couple was married October 23, 1895 in Paulding.
By 1900, this couple, John and Susie, along with son Forest and daughter, Edith Mae, born December 29, 1898, were living in Latty with Forest’s parents, Andrew J. and Malinda Jenkins. John and Susie welcomed a son, Roy, January 16, 1904. On June 24, 1907, a daughter, Lucy was born. By 1910, while living in Latty, John’s parents came to live with John and Susie. Also living in the household was John’s brother Charlie, who was divorced.
Charlie was working as a blacksmith. Forest was in school as well as his sister Edith. On June 5, 1918, Forest registered for the draft and was listed as 5’3″ tall, dark complexion, medium build, gray eyes and dark brown hair. Forest was helping his dad farm. Forest joined the National Army out of Paulding August 14, 1918. Forest was assigned to the Regular Army Auto Tractor School Training Depot in North Kansas City, Missouri. He served until October 12, 1918. He was reassigned to Camp Jackson, South Carolina to serve with Auto Replacement Draft until November 21, 1918, he was then assigned to Battery B. 58th Field Artillery until he was Honorably Discharged February 4, 1919.
By 1920, Forest had moved back home to his parent’s house in Latty. He continued to help his father on the farm. After 1930, Forest had moved out on his own, but not sure of the location. Forest’s grandmother, Melinda, passed away March 9, 1931. Andrew had passed away sometime before 1910 (I could not find burial location).
By 1935, Forest was living in Scott, Ohio, Paulding County side. He was still single, his father John and mother Susie, was living with Forest. Forest was still engaged in farming. In 1942, Forest had to register for the World War Two draft, he was still living in Scott in 1943. On June 25, 1947, Forest’s father, John, passed away. He was buried in Live Oak Cemetery in Paulding. Forest passed away Saturday, November 29, 1947 at 10:00 at home in Scott, Ohio.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 Monday December 1, 1947 at the Haviland Methodist Church. The Rev. Tomlinson officiated. He was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. Susie, John’s wife passed away September 5, 1964 in the Van Wert County Hospital. She was buried with her husband John.
