52 Ancestors - Olive (Swofford) Jenkins 1864-1937

Olive is the woman on the far right front, with John Stephens Jenkins standing to her left. Unfortunately, I lost the copy of this photo that one of the cousins sent me with everyone identified.

Olive (Swofford) Jenkins is a remarkable figure in my family tree, renowned for being the ancestor with the most children in my lineage. Over the course of 28 years, she gave birth to 14 children, an impressive feat for any woman, especially considering she was 47 years old when her youngest was born. This week's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" theme is "Most," and I can’t help but admire Olive’s strength and resilience as a mother.

Born on December 16, 1864, in Texas to Jonas Swofford and Lucy Jane Elkins, Olive was born at the tail end of the American Civil War. This era was marked by significant upheaval, but Texas, in particular, was beginning to recover. The post-war years saw a growing population as families sought new opportunities and land in the vast expanses of Texas. By the age of 15, Olive was listed as a single daughter in the 1880 Census in Erath County, Texas. Just two years later, on August 2, 1882, she married John S. Jenkins in Erath County.

Olive, John and their first eight children settled in the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, by 1897. This was a time of significant change and opportunity as settlers moved into the region, attracted by the promise of land and resources. The Indian Territory was characterized by its rich natural resources and fertile land, which would have been appealing to Olive and John as they began raising their children. 

As the years went on, Olive would become a mother to 14 children:

• Vergie Lee Jenkins (1883–1982)
• Chester Ray Jenkins (1884–1886)
• Ira Beck Jenkins (1885–1978)
• Ernest Judson Jenkins (1886–1983)
• Michael Jonas Jenkins (1890–)
• Ida Alice Jenkins (1891–1977)
• Mary Jane Jenkins (1893–1966)
• Edith Price Jenkins (1894–1984)
• John Hugh Jenkins (1899–1978)
• Paul Kruger Jenkins (1901–1959)
• Lula Ethel Jenkins (1902–1998)
• Florence L. Jenkins (1905–1997)
• Clarence Newton "Newt" Jenkins (1907–1955)
• Olive Cordelia Jenkins (1911–1978)

Throughout these years, Olive navigated the challenges of motherhood during a time of economic growth and social change in the United States. The onset of World War I in 1914 brought further transformations, impacting families across the nation. Many men left to fight, and women like Olive took on additional responsibilities at home. While Olive’s life in the Indian Territory during this time was likely focused on farming and raising her children, she would have felt the broader social currents, including shifts toward women's rights and the role of women in the workforce.

The 1910 Census indicates she was living in Maysville, Garvin County, Oklahoma, as the wife of John S. Jenkins. By the time of the 1920 Census, she had become a widowed head of household, working as a farmer in Whitebead, Garvin County. This period was marked by the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, which would eventually impact Oklahoma, leading to economic hardship for many families. However, Olive's determination and resilience would have been crucial as she raised her family amid these challenges.

Olive's obituary reveals much about her character and the legacy she left behind. She passed away on January 10, 1937, and was buried in Maysville Cemetery, Garvin County, Oklahoma. Her obituary, published in The Lindsay News, notes her many roles: she was a devoted mother and a member of the Maysville Baptist Church. The obituary highlights her strong spirit and community involvement, celebrating her life as one dedicated to family and faith.

In the later years of her life, Olive became known for her unwavering support of her children and grandchildren. Her dedication to family is a legacy that resonates with me today. Despite the trials of life, including the loss of her husband, Olive remained a pillar of strength for her family.

Olive Jenkins exemplifies the resilience of women in her era. As I reflect on her life, I find inspiration in her journey. She managed to raise a large family while dealing with the demands of life during a time when women faced numerous challenges. I can only imagine how much love and strength it took to nurture and care for her children, all while maintaining her own identity. 

Olive's legacy lives on through her children and their descendants. At the time of her death she had forty-two grand children and seventeen great grandchildren. A bit of her lives on in so many of us today.

Sources:

1. 1880 Census:     

1880 United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: Precinct 7, Erath, Texas; Roll: 1302; Page: 114c; Enumeration District: 154  (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981682)(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/10686818:6742) (accessed 8 October 2024)    Olive Swofford (15), single daughter, in household of Jonas Swofford (41) in Precinct 7, Erath, Texas, USA. Born in Texas.

2. 1880 Census:     

1880 United States Federal Census Year: 1880; Census Place: McLennan, Texas; Roll: 1318; Page: 160a; Enumeration District: 111 (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981683)(https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/7848399:6742) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive W Jenkins (15), single nephew, Boarder, in household of Walter H. Jenkins (32) in McLennan, Texas, USA. Born in Texas.

3. Marriage:  

Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019 Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin, Texas; Texas Marriage Index, 1966-2019 (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/618163:8795) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Swafford marriage to [John S Jenkins] on 2 Aug 1882 in Erath, Texas, USA.

4. Marriage:    

Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965 Johnson County Clerk's Office; Denton, Texas; Smith County Marriage Records (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/925237229:9168) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Swofford marriage to J S Jenkins on 2 Aug 1882 in Erath, Texas, USA.

5. Marriage:     

Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965 Original data: Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 1005605   (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1670688:60183) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Swofford marriage to J S Jenkins on 2 Aug 1882 in Erath, Texas, United States.

6. 1900 Census:     

1900 United States Federal Census Year: 1900; Census Place: Township 4, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; Roll: 1848; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0145 (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981681) (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/74933585:7602) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Jenkins (35), wife, in household of John S Jenkins (46) in Township 4, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Born in Texas, USA.

7. 1910 Census:     

1910 United States Federal Census Year: 1910; Census Place: Maysville, Garvin, Oklahoma; Roll: T624_1252; Page: 9a; Enumeration District: 0079; FHL microfilm: 1375265 (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981679) (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/163792202:7884) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Jenkins (46), wife, House, in household of John S Junkins (56) in Maysville, Garvin, Oklahoma, USA. Born in Texas.

8. 1920 Census:     

1920 United States Federal Census Year: 1920; Census Place: Whitebead, Garvin, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1464; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 32 (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981678) (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/98851233:6061) (accessed 8 October 2024)    Olive Jenkins (55), widowed, Farmer, head of household in Whitebead, Garvin, Oklahoma. Born in Texas.

9. 1930 Census:     

1930 United States Federal Census Year: 1930; Census Place: Lindsay, Garvin, Oklahoma; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 2341637 (https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/23981680) (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/93720414:6224) (accessed 8 October 2024)   Olive Jenkins (65), widowed, General farming, head of household in Lindsay, Garvin, Oklahoma, USA. Born in Texas.

10. Burial:     

U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50603477) (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/14391491:60525) (accessed 8 October 2024)  Olive Jane Jenkins burial (died on 10 Dec 1934) at Maysville Cemetery, Maysville, Garvin County, Oklahoma, United States of America. Born on 16 Dec 1864.

11. Burial:     

Web: Oklahoma, Find A Grave Index, 1800-2012 (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1090142:70621) (accessed 8 October 2024) Olive Jane Swafford Jenkins burial (died on 10 Jan 1937) in Maysville, Garvin County, Oklahoma, USA. Born on 16 Dec 1864.