D. C. Jenkins Glass Company, Kokomo, Ind.

D. C. JENKINS, OLDEST ACTIVE FIGURE

IN GLASSWARE INDUSTRY, DIES AT 76

The glass tableware industry of the United States lost its oldest active manufacturer in the death on August 23, of David C. Jenkins, president of the D. C. Jenkins Glass Co. of Kokomo, Ind. Mr. Jenkins, who was 76 years old, died suddenly at his summer home on Lake Maxinkuckee at Culver, Ind., early Saturday evening. Since boyhood, Mr. Jenkins has been active in glass manufacturing and his appearance and energy belied his age in years.

The son of David Jenkins, a glass factory manager, D. C. Jenkins was born in the Pittsburgh district and in his youth entered the glass tableware factories on the Southside of Pittsburgh. Glassware occupied his attention for many years and was his greatest activity from Pittsburgh to Ohio and then into Indiana.

The first family venture outside of Pittsburgh was the Columbia Glass Co., at Findlay, O. When the natural gas supply failed there, Mr. Jenkins went to Georgetown, Ind., and was the head of the Indiana Tumbler & Goblet Works. Firs destroyed this factory about 1900 and Mr. Jenkins went to Kokomo where he became president of the Kokomo Glass Mfg. Co. The company name later was changed to the present title of D. C. Jenkins Glass Co.

Like his father, David, senior, Mr. Jenkins maintained always a lively interest in glassware manufacturing. As he has worked with his father, so have the sons of David C. Jenkins worked with him in the D. C. Jenkins Glass Co. plants at Kokomo and Arcadia.

Mr. Jenkins made an interesting excursion into politics while resident in Kokomo. He served terms in the Indiana state senate from Howard and Miami counties. He was also the first chairman of the Indiana Highway Commission and his activity there won him a wide reputation and the approval of the people of Indiana because he was successful in placing highway construction on a business basis.

Following his service at Indianapolis, Mr. Jenkins moved to the state capital and for the past 12 years his home at 3957 Washington Boulevard. Each business day, however, he went to Kokomo and was in active touch with the factory activities. He was active in Masonic circles and was a member of the Shrine and Scottish Rite.

For some years, Mr. Jenkins has spent his vacation time at his home on Lake Maxinkuckee and it was there that he was summoned. A man of intense energy, he was the maker of many fast friendships. His nature was optimistic.

Surviving Mr. Jenkins are his wife, Mrs. Anna Jenkins; two sons, Addison and Howard C. Jenkins, and two sisters, Mrs. Florence Schute, of New York, and Miss Addie Jenkins of Long Beach, Calif. The sons, Addison and Howard, both are active in the management of the D. C. Jenkins Glass Co. factories at Kokomo and Arcadia.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 26, from the residence of his son, Addison Jenkins, in Kokomo. Internment was made in Crown Point cemetery at Kokomo.