Phineas U. Jennings
Phineas U. Jennings (deceased) was born May 4, 1796, in Craftsbury, Vt., son of Benjamin and Serena (Bigelow) Jennings, former born August 29, 1752, died April 14, 1836; latter born March 16, 1765, died April 16, 1835. They were married November 13, 1786, and were the parents of eight children: Betsey, born October 16, 1787; Anna, born January 8, 1791; Lucretia, born October 13, 1793; Phineas U., born May 4, 1796; Talmon, born July 4, 1798; Lucy M., born December 21, 1801; Elial, born July 15, 1804; Benjamin, born May 1, 1807. Our subject, when eight years old, was bound out to Daniel Freeman, a farmer and hotel-keeper, and with him remained until he reached his majority. He then started on life's career with one suit of clothes. "When with Freeman he cut a cord of wood, hauled it seven miles, and with the means obtained by the sale of the wood he purchased a "Scholar's Arithmetic," dated 1814, which is well preserved by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. In 1821 he came to Ohio, driving a team for Benjamin Dow, whose wife was a sister to Judge Foster. The journey was made with a sled, and while crossing a lake the ice broke, and Mr. Jennings' cabinet got wet and with it his family Bible, the only gift of his father, which is also held in good preservation by his daughter, Mrs. Alvord. It was published in 1789. His first purchase of land was in 1821 in Mantua Township, this county, the tract being sixty-four acres of wild forest, and clearing it, he made it his home for life, adding thereto, from time to time, until he became the possessor of 300 acres besides considerable other property, all acquired, not by fortunate speculation, but by honest and patient industry. With a limited education he was a close observer, and with a strong and vigorous intellect he rapidly formed an accurate judgment of men and things, and in active life was one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the township. Being stricken with blindness in his old age, he bore the affliction with cheerfulness, patiently awaiting for his eyes to be opened in the "home over there," where his aged companion had preceded him about two years. He was certain of good treatment by his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord, and hence chose them to care for him to the close of his life, which ended June 26, 1882. June 16, 1822, he was married to Cleona Wilmot, born April 23, 1806, in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., and in 1814 she came to Ohio with her widowed mother, sister and brother, Ella Wilmot. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jennings were born Serena, July 12, 1823; Cordelia, born May 28, 1828, died March 9, 1832; Eoena C, born September 5, 1830; Cordelia E., born July 25, 1832, died December 7, 1835. Mrs. Jennings died March 26, 1880. They united with the Disciples Church in 1838, and died in full faith. Their property was divided equally between their two daughters. Through a kindly regard for the memory of the deceased and a desire to perpetuate his name, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have contributed to this work a portrait of Phineas U. Jennings. Elsewhere in this volume will be found a brief biography of Mr. Alvord, who has always been closely identified with Portage County.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885