Jabez Zink

JABEZ ZINK, a retired farmer, residing in Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1843. He was a son of John Zink, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1793. The latter farmed in that county until his death, which occurred in 1843. He had a family of seven children, namely: John, deceased; Wilson; Allen; Mary (Brown); William, deceased; Robison, deceased; and Jabez, the subject of this sketch.

Jabez Zink was reared and schooled in Greene county, Illinois, having gone to that county in 1855. He lived there until 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, 91st Reg., Ill. Vol. Inf., in the Army of the Tennessee. He took part in the battles of Fort Morgan, Mobile, Fort Gaines, and was in several other engagements. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Zink was taken prisoner at Elizabethtown, Kentucky; he was later paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, at St. Louis. There he remained six months, after which he went to Vicksburg, and served under General Grant until 1865. He was then mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, and returned to Greene county, where he remained a short time. In the fall of 1865 he settled in Labette county, Kansas, on what is now the southwest quarter of section 30, in Oswego township. He lived there until 1884, carrying on farming and cattle raising. In 1884 Mr. Zink moved to Oswego, where he has since resided. He still retains his farm, and is engaged in the cattle business.

Mr. Zink married Mary Drake, who was born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1845, and is a daughter of Hiram Drake. Hiram Drake was born in Casey county, Kentucky, in 1803, and died there in 1886. He reared the following children, namely: William, deceased; Joel, deceased; Martha, deceased; Allen, deceased; Elizabeth (Taney); Benjamin; James; Luther; John and Nancy, deceased; and Mary, the wife of our subject.

Mr. and Mrs. Zink have had one child, Inez, who died at the age of two years. They, however, reared Sadie Millet, who was but six years of age when she came to their home. She continued to live with them until her marriage to John B. Zink, a nephew of the subject of this sketch. She now lives in Greene county, Illinois, and has one child, - Ruby, - a bright little girl of two years. Mr. Zink was one of the prime movers in organizing Labette county and was treasurer of the temporary organization. He has been city councilman since 1894. He is an active member of the Methodist church, and his friends in the county are legion. Mr. Zink is affiliated with Adams Lodge, No. 63, F. &. A. M., of Oswego, and also with the chapter and commandery.