People

Denison R. Jencks

Denison R. Jencks (born October 13, 1837, in North Adams, Massachusetts) was a longtime Dundee resident, businessman, and civic figure best known for his service as Postmaster of Dundee from 1861 to 1867. He came to Illinois in October 1841 and settled at Dundee, where he would remain for more than three decades before relocating to Elgin around 1873. At the time of his biographical notice, he was engaged as a real estate agent, insurance agent, and passage ticket agent. (Source: *Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois* (1878))

Known Activities

Jencks was appointed Postmaster at Dundee in 1861, a position he held for six years. In 1867, he resigned the post in favor of A. M. Dunton, a man reportedly crippled during the Civil War — a gesture that contemporaries apparently considered noteworthy enough to record. (Source: Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878))

Beyond his postal duties, Jencks was active in Masonic circles. He held membership in Monitor Lodge No. 522 A.F. & A.M., served as Secretary of Loyal L. Munn Chapter No. 90, and belonged to Bethel Commandery K.T. No. 36. He was identified as a Republican in his politics and a Baptist in his faith. (Source: Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878))

On October 26, 1859, Jencks married Elizabeth A. Hollister, a Dundee native. (Source: Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878))

Approximately five years before the 1878 publication of The Past and Present of Kane County — placing his departure around 1873 — Jencks left Dundee for Elgin, where he was residing and working at the time of the biographical record. (Source: Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878))

Timeline

Year	Event
1837, Oct. 13	Born in North Adams, Massachusetts
1841, October	Arrived in Illinois; settled at Dundee
1859, Oct. 26	Married Elizabeth A. Hollister of Dundee
1861	Appointed Postmaster of Dundee
1867	Resigned as Postmaster in favor of A. M. Dunton
c. 1873	Relocated from Dundee to Elgin
1878	Listed as real estate, insurance, and passage ticket agent; biographical entry published

## Sources

The Past and Present of Kane County, Illinois (1878). Consulted via Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/pastpresentofkan00peir#offset-2481599. Referenced as: past-and-present-of-kane-county-1878.