Isaac Jenks

Isaac Jenks
Born (1816-03-17)17 March 1816
Sedgley, Staffordshire, England
Died 29 January 1888(1888-01-29) (aged 59)
Rhyll, Flintshire, Wales
Nationality British
Occupation Ironmaster
Known for Mayor of Wolverhampton, benefactor
External image
Isaac Jenks in his mayoral robes, Wolverhampton History & Heritage Website

Wealthy industrialist Isaac Jenks (17 March 1816—-29 January 1888) was an extremely successful ironmaster who served as Mayor of Wolverhamton, 1872/73.

Iron and steel

A self-made man he started work at 12 years of age as an apprentice in a local iron works founded four years earlier by the first Mayor of Wolverhampton, George Thorneycroft. After finishing his apprenticeship he spent 20 years working in the local iron and steel industry and learned the value of a higher-end product. In 1857 he founded the Minerva Iron and Steel Works followed closely by the Beaver Works.

Capacity grew and in a little over 10 years it was estimated that 80% of US steel imports from the UK came from these two sites, strategically placed on part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, giving access to world markets. Brand names such as "Jenks" steel and "Beaver" iron appeared on advertising for both wholesale iron and steel and finished products, along with evidence of agents in London and New York. Little is known of Jenks & Co. after 1902 and by 1908 the works had been demolished and redeveloped as coal wharves.[1]

Personal life

Jenks was born in Sedgley, Staffordshire in 1816. He was a Wesleyan Methodist and a generous benefactor who supported good causes and projects, particularly to do with his church and technical education. He married Rebecca Jones from Dawley, Shropshire in 1839. As he grew more wealthy he moved his family to new homes, finally living at Morley House, Dunstall Hill, north of the town, now a housing estate. He served as Mayor of Wolverhampton, 1872/73 and donated the gold chain and badge of office still in use today. He died in Rhyl, Flintshire, Wales on 29 January 1888.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Minerva Iron and Steel Works". http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2012. External link in |publisher= (help)
Political offices
Preceded by
Joseph Ford
Mayor of Wolverhampton
1872–1873
Succeeded by
William Highfield Jones


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