Francis Hamilton Jennings

FRANCIS HAMILTON JENNINGS. - It is indeed appropriate that this volume devoted to record of the lives and achievements of representative citizens of Wyandotte county, Kansas, should be incorporated a biography of that eminent citizen and business man, Francis Hamilton Jennings, head of the large concern known as F. H. Jennings & Son, Crusher & Quarry Company. As the organizer and proprietor of a large industry, Mr. Jennings furnishes employment to a large number of men and contributes in definite manner to the prosperity of the city. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 22, 1852, and is the son of John W. and Mary E. (McCowen) Jennings. The father, who was born in Buffalo Gap, Virginia, came to Ohio, previous to the Civil war and in the Buckeye state engaged in the practice of his profession which was that of a physician. From Ohio, he removed to Goshen, Indiana, then to New Paris, Indiana, and thence to Berrien Springs, Michigan. During the war, he assisted in the distribution of supplies to the soldiers of the Union army. He was a Republican and a Methodist and a man of high principles and good repute. His wife was born in Norwich, Ohio. Their seven sons and daughters were as follows: Mattie E., Nettie, John Edward, Charles W., Carolina J., Hattie E. and Francis Hamilton.

He whose name inaugurates this review was reared at Berrien Springs, Michigan, in which place he attended the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Warsaw, Indiana, and there assumed the position of a licensed engineer in a saw mill. In 1887, Mr. Jennings who had married, brought his family to Lansing, Kansas, and after residing in that place for a time, they took up their residence in Kansas City, Missouri. At this time the subject was acting as a steam boat engineer in one of the big boats plying the Missouri river. In 1906, he made a radical change of occupation and organized the F. H. Jennings & Son Crusher & Quarry Company, which plant today supplies the greater portion of crushed rock used in both Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. They employ thirty teams and use the largest steam drill in the state of Kansas. Frequently as much as thirty kegs of powder are employed at one blast. Mr. Jennings has himself to thank for his success, for he belongs unmistakably to the type of self made man of which America is so proud. His original ideas and executive capacity are underlaid with a native industry and thrift. In his political convictions he is a Republican and he gives to all public issues the careful consideration of the intelligent voter.

On the 13th day of February, 1875, while living in Warsaw, Indiana. Mr. Jennings laid the foundation of a happy household by marriage, his chosen lady being Miss Jennie Mitterling, whose parents still reside in that place. Their union was blessed by the birth of two children. John Edward, who is in business with his father, and Elizabeth, who died at the age of fourteen years. This son and partner John Edward, is manager of the quarry laborers and is of the greatest assistance to his father, being the possessor of rare business qualifications. The Jennings Quarry is located at Thirty-seventh and Westport avenue. The younger Mr. Jennings married Miss Alice Bock of Rosedale and their son, Francis Edward, was born November 10, 1910.