Biography of O. C. Jenkins - Mercer Co. WV

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
Page 374

O. C. Jenkins- Bluefield

     O.C.Jenkins is one of the veterans in the service of the Norfolk &
Western Railroad Co. He went to work for the A.M.& O. Railroad in his
native city of Appomattox, Virginia. He has been in the service for over
fourty years, and since 1888 has been on duty at Bluefield, one of the
pioneers of that town, and through his office as agent representative
for the railroad and through his private enterprise he has done much to
stimulate the development of the city.
     Mr. Jenkins was born at Appomattox, Virginia, son of William A. and
Mary Frances (Tweedy) Jenkins. His father was a native of Appomattox and
his mother of Campbell County, Virginia. William A. Jenkins owned a
large farm in Appomattox County. He was wounded while performing duty
for the Confederate government.
     O.C. Jenkins grew up at Appomattox, acquired his education there,
and his first experience in railroading was as office boy for R. F.
Burke with the old A.M. & O. Railroad, now a part of the Norfolk &
Western system. While performing his routine of duties he learned
telegraphy and made himself familiar with all the duties of station
agent. His first important promotion was to office relief man on the
road from Lynchburg to Norfolk, and he also did station work along the
line from Lynchburg to Bristol. He was station agent and operator at New
River when the road was extended from New River to Pocahontas, Virginia.
When this branch was completed the president of the railroad made a
visit to the mines, and on his special train carried out a car of the
first Pocahontas coal mined. This car was presented to the mayor of
Norfolk, Col. William Lamb, and Mr. Jenkins handled the message of
presentation. Later Mr. Jenkins was transferred to Narrows as  station
agent and operator, and then to Graham, where he was located when the
road was extended to Norton, Virginia.
     In 1888 he came to Bluefield as freight agent for the Norfolk &
Western, and has had a continuous service here for over thirty years, so
that his name is practically synonymous with all the service represented
by the Norfolk & Western Railroad. He has been a loyal and faithful
employee of the Railroad Corporation, and at the same time has been
sensible to his obligations of trust to the community.
     Many years ago Mr. Jenkins and the ticket agent, Mr. L.A. Dunn,
became associated in a business way. The form of Jenkins & Dunn
established a coal business, which has since been incorporated as the
Standard Fuel and Supply Company, of which Mr. Jenkins is president. He
and associates first opened their Twin Branch Mining Company in McDowell
County, West Virginia. They also opened the Orinoco mines on Pond Creek
in Pike County, Kentucky, selling their property, and then opened the
Fall Branch Coal Company in Mingo County, West Virginia, and have been
interested in coal and other developments.
     Mr. Jenkins has served as a member of the city council. He is a
past member of Bluefield Lodge No. 85, F. and A.M., and is a democrat in
politics. He is active in the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce and is a
member of the Country Club. In religious affiliation he is a Baptist,
while Mrs. Jenkins is a Presbyterian.
     Mrs. Jenkins before her marriage was Lucy D. Rucker, daughter of
Capt. Isaac M. Rucker, of Campbell County, Virginia. They have one son,
O. Rucker Jenkins, now in the coal business. Their daughter, Lucy Gladys
is the wife of Charles W. Scott, of Bluefield, and their unmarried
daughter is Miss Mary V. Jenkins.


Submitted by Joan Wyatt <mewyatt@uakron.edu>

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