Prior to passage of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, the position of postmaster was filled by political appointment. So you can probably figure out the partisan sympathies of Albert F. Jenkins, Russell postmaster from 1915 until 1923 --- during the Woodrow Wilson administration.
This photograph came to the Lucas County Historical Society during 1976 from his daughter, Maude (Jenkins) Martin, 1894-1978.
Post office decor was a little more elaborate then than it generally is today.
If you'd like to know more about Mr. Jenkins, here's his obituary from The Chariton Leader of Sept. 15, 1931:
Albert Francis Jenkins was born in Putnam county, Indiana on March 22, 1858, and departed from this life September 11, 1931, aged 73 years, 5 months and 20 days. He was one of the early pioneers of Lucas county, coming to Iowa in 1867 and locating in Wayne county.
In 1882 he moved to Lucas county where he was engaged for seven years in the mercantile and grain business in Russell. He was a member of the Chicago Live Stock Exchange, where for twenty years he shipped stock to this point. Mr. Jenkins was active in community affairs, having served several terms as mayor of his home town. He was nominated for the office of state senator, representing Lucas and Wayne counties in 1924. Receiving his commission under Woodrow Wilson, he served two terms as postmaster at Russell.
Alfred Jenkins was married to Eliza Jane Ruark on October 1, 1876. To this union three daughters were born, Dorothy Pearl Calbreath and Alberta Mae Willits, both of Chariton, and Maude Isabelle Martin, of Monroe county. The mother passed away on Nov. 1, 1920. In September, 1922, he as married to Malissa Morford, who preceded him in death in January, 1930.
Three daughters, eight grandchildren, four brothers, Charles W., John P. and Wallace Jenkins of Oregon, A. L. Jenkins of Ventura, Calif., will miss his loving kindness and a large host of friends will be grieved by his demise.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Harry Secor, of the First Baptist church, were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Willits, corner of Eighth street and Linden avenue, on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, followed by interment in the Russell cemetery.
The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful, testimonials of the high esteem in which deceased was held, as well as sympathy for the daughters and grandchildren so sorely bereft.
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