John E. Jenison was born around 1839 in Illinois to John Singletary Jenison and Martha McNabb. His father was a farmer who owned $1,000 in 1850. His father died around 1853, and his mother passed away around 1858. Jenison grew up and attended school in Menard County, Illinois. By 1860, he was working as a farmer, and he owned $2,250 of real estate and $210 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Union army in Springfield, Illinois, on September 21, 1861, and mustered in as a private in Company A of the 10^th Illinois Cavalry. According to his service records, he was 5 feet, 8½ inches tall, with dark hair and hazel eyes. The regiment spent much of the war stationed in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and it took part in the siege of Vicksburg. He supported Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1864. Jenison mustered out in San Antonio, Texas, on November 22, 1865. Jenison returned to Menard County after the war and continued working as a farmer. By 1870, he owned $9,000 of real estate and $3,000 of personal property.

 

He married Susan Chapman on August 31, 1875, and they moved to Downey, California, soon afterward. They had at least four children, including Fitzroy, born around 1878; and Girley, born around 1885. Jenison worked as a dry goods merchant. Susan died around 1914, and by 1920, he was living in his daughter Girley’s household in Downey. He died there on September 9, 1927.

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