Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography

Thousands of short American lives — soldiers, inventors, preachers, governors, novelists — each given a paragraph: born where, did what, and why anyone remembered.

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Jefferson, Martha Wayles – Jenifer, Daniel

Jefferson, Martha Wayles

was born Oct. 19, 1748, in Charles City county, Va. She married Thomas Jefferson in 1772. He retained a romantic devotion for her throughout his life, and because of her failing health refused foreign appointments in 1776, and again in 1781, having promised that he would accept no public office that would involve their separation. She died Sept. 6, 1782, in Monticello, Va.

Jeffery, Edward Turner

railroad president, was born April 6, 1843, in Liverpool, England. Since 1895 he has been president of the Rio Grande Southern railroad, and he has also been president of various other roads.

Jeffries, Benjamin Joy

physician, author, was born March 26, 1833, in Boston, Mass. He is a prominent physician of Boston, and the author of Color Blindness-its Dangers and its Detection; The Eye in Health and Disease; and Diseases of the Skin.

Jeffries, Noah L

soldier, lawyer, public official, was born in 1828 in Pennsylvania. He entered the union army and served during the rebellion. He was assistant provost marshal general of the United States during 1864 and 1865, and was register of the United States treasury from 1867 to 1869.

Jeffris, William Seward

educator, financier, was born March 14, 1857, in Janesville, Wis. During 1883-95 he was cashier of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Savings bank of Janesville, Wis., and since 1895 has been president of that institution.

Jemison, Robert

financier, state senator, was born Sept. 17, 1802, in Lincoln county, Ga. He was president of the Alabama state senate in 1863, and soon afterward entered the confederate senate, though he had opposed secession in 1861.

He died Oct. 16, 1871, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Jenckes, Joseph

inventor, was born in 1602 in England. In 1646 he secured a patent for fourteen years on an improved water-wheel, also a newly invented sawmill. In 1647 he purchased a privilege at the iron-works to build a forge where he might manufacture scythes and other edged tools. In 1652 a mint was established in Boston for coining silver. He died March 16, 1683, in Lynn, Mass. was

Jenckes, Joseph

governor, born in 1656 in Pawtucket, R. I. He was a member of the assembly from 1700 till 1708, deputy-governor from 1715 till 1727, and governor in 1727-32. He died June 15, 1740.

Jenckes, Thomas Allen

lawyer, congressman, was born in 1818 in Providence, R. I. He was a representative from Rhode Island to the thirty-eighth congress; was re-elected to the thirtyninth, fortieth and forty-first congresses as a republican. He died Nov. 4, 1875, in Cumberland, R. I.

Jenckes, Thomas Allen

lawyer, state senator, was born Aug. 28, 1856, in Providence, R. I. He is a successful lawyer of Cumberland, R. I., and since 1896 has been a member of the state senate.

Jenifer, Daniel

congressman, was born in 1723 in Maryland. He was a delegate from Maryland to the continental congress from 1778 to 1782, and was also a member of the convention which framed the federal constitution, and signed that instrument. He died Nov. 6, 1790, in Maryland.

Jenifer, Daniel

state legislator, congressman, was born April 15, 1791, in Charles county, Md. He was frequently a member of the state legislature of Maryland, represented that state in congress from 1831 to 1833, and from 1835 to 1841.

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