Mary B. Jenners, 1861-1928

Mary B. Jenners was born 3 October 1861 in Vermilion Co., Illinois.  Her parents were Saurin Jenners and Ruth Ann DeNeale.  I have never seen a document providing her middle name.  Saurin had a sister, Mary (Jenners) Braden, so it is possible she is named for this aunt, but I have found no proof to date.

By 1870, Mary is found on the census with her parents and siblings in Fairfield Township, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.   In 1879, when Mary was 18 years old, her father, James Saurin Jenners died.  The 1880 census show Mary living with her widowed mother, Ruth Ann, and her siblings. 

In the 1891 Lafayette City Directory, Mary was listed as working as a "packer" and living at 223 Columbia St., West Lafayette, Indiana.  She was employed by Durham Spice and Coffee Mills.

Mary B. Jenners

On 12 February 1891, the Jenners home was the site of a natural gas explosion.  Mary's mother, Ruth,  and brother, Saurin, died as a result of their injuries.  Mary was severely injured, but survived.  I have shared many of the news articles about the explosion in my blog post about Ruth, so won't duplicate them here.  Additional items about Mary follow, however.

On 14 February 1891, the Lafayette Morning Journal wrote:  "Miss Maud [note: should be Mary] Jenners, whose burns were less severe than the others, suffers much pain but is not in any danger.  She feels her bereavement, the loss of her brother and her mother, very deeply.  The JOURNAL extends its deepest sympathy to her in her pain and sorrow.  Her burden is gruesomely heavy."

On 16 February 1891, the following notice appeared in the local paper: "The Fourth Victim of the Gas Explosion.  Four of the victims of the West Lafayette explosion are reposed in the arms of death....  Miss Jenner's Condition Critical.  The condition of Miss Mary Jenners, the last surviving victim of the West Lafayette gas explosion was alarming this morning.  Her nervous system is greatly shocked and she has a high fever continually.  The attending physician stated that the next twelve hours would decide the result.  As soon as her condition will permit, it is probable that her hand which was so severely burned, will be amputated.  The physician is of the opinion that it cannot be saved."

The Lafayette, Indiana Morning Journal of 16 February 1891 noted:  "MISS MAUD JENNERS' CONDITION.  Miss Maud Jenners, the sole survivor of those burned Thursday, was resting comfortably yesterday and her physician, Dr. Moffitt, is confident she will recover.  The report that two of her fingers had been amputated Saturday is erroneous and has caused considerable annoyance.  Miss Maud is bearing the burdens of pain and bereavement bravely and her friends trust to see her out soon again."

Mary seems to have lived most of her life in the Lafayette area, but she and her sister, Jennie (Jenners) Black, are found together on the 1920 census living in San Diego, California.  They must not have stayed in California very long, since she was in West Lafayette in 1918, 1920, and 1922 (according to city directories).   Her residence was 219 Lutz Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Mary Jenners did not marry and we know of no children.

Mary died on 9 December 1928 at Home Hospital, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  She was 67 years old.  The cause of death was "myocarditis."

She was buried in Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Indiana.

An obituary was published 10 December 1928 in the Lafayette Courier and Journal.  The obituary reads:  "MARY B. JENNERS TAKEN BY DEATH -  Miss Mary B. Jenners, one of the oldest residents of West Lafayette, died at the Home hospital Sunday morning at 6 o'clock.  She was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, October 3, 1861.  The greater part of her life was spent in West Lafayette where she was an active member of the West Side Methodist Church.  She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Jennie Black and the following nieces: Mrs. John Haan, Miss Alberta Jenners and Mrs. Gorman Brown.  The body was taken to the Templeton funeral home to be prepared for burial and Monday noon was taken to the family home, 219 Lutz avenue.  The funeral will be held at the West Side Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. M.C. Hunt in charge of the services.  Interment will be in Greenbush cemetery.  Burial will be private."