Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-10-30
JELFS ONE OF
OLD TIMERS IN
NEW MEXICO
WIFE Is DESCENDANT
OF LATE JOHN BUNYAN
Man Dead at Ration Was for
Years Prominent Citizen and
a Leader in Odd Fellowship,


Especial Correspondence 90 xornisg Journal
Ration, ~. NJ, oct. 2S.-Thc lute
John f Jelts OF this city, whose death
this week removed one Of the most
prominent ana successful citizens Of
this place, was buried yesterday here,
the funeral being one of the largest
for years. MIR. Jelfs was = pioneer
New Mexico business man. who
achieved enviable success by his in
dustry II foresight and his death is
n loss not only TO this section but 10
the territory.
y Successful Career.
John Jelfs was born at Hatfield.
England, August s. 1896. IL WAS ed
ucatcd in the public schools of his MT
tive town and served an apprentice
ship at tho carpenters trade which
he mastered i'm all its details. In
1858 he was joined in marriage to
Miss Sarah Runyan, a descendant of
John Bunyan, author Of "Pilgrim's
Progress" at Welwyn, twenty miles
distant from London. To this union
We're born four children. two sons and
two daughters. They are Mrs. Frank
Henning, Miss Alice Jelfs. Alfred
Jelfs of Ration and Harry Jelfs. who
is Just returning from Mexico. These
with the wife and mother survive the
deceased.
The deceased leaves a brother, VIII
liam Jelfs, who lives at Marshall own
Iowa, and Fred Jelfs, who lives In
London. Two sisters have already
gone before.
In 1872 Mr.. Jelfs and family landed
In New York city and took the tide of
westward to Marshalltown.
Iowa, where he accepted a position as
foreman OF the ear shops of the Iowa
Contra railroad. In April. 1850. he
resigned the position and came to
New Mexico. going to Cerrillos. where
he remained but two months. when
came to Ration and accepted the
of foreman OF the car depart
ment of the A. T. & s. r. railroad
shops. The town of Ration at that
consisted of tents and box cars
and In one of the latter Mr.. Jelfs and
FAMILY made their home for over
seven months.
For eighteen years. until 1875. Mr.
80 - Pp9l''oh VI ioFt-
" VI inc cur department. when he
es,sie ana MADE a "Trip to the scenes
~ us ohiluhooo IN Ola England. Re-
.uIhlhs 70 ftatoh IN a Few months. he
.t- es'ed III the FIRST Ma
va" """N' "hicn connection ne mas
SINCE tnat tme' Mr.. Jelfs has
an active and energetic part in
nc AFFAIRS OF Ration and was ever |
.eauS 10 90 ms snare FOR the promo
w VI Tvs interests Nhen Ration IN
oiPol"t'd ne was elected as a mem
: - the llrst BOARD OF trustees, a
'''i'Ao" 10 "Hlch ne mas several times
zee" i~e-eiected' He was also elected
or several terms a member of the
'oard OF education and also to the
rs "cst hohors OF the l. O. O.. f. lodge.
JeHs was presented by the Ration
oil Oud Fellows with IA magnifi-
II Je"c' upon ms tWenty-fifth an
i.''S"'S oi service as an odd Eel
one OF the honors which Mr.. Jelfs
ppreclated most was that of presl-
eht OF the Ration Building and Loan
ssociation, which position he held
nee its organization in August,
oos 10 the AFFAIRS OF this institu-
on which has done so much towards
ne upbuilding OF Ration, he gave hun
e q OF hours Of his time without one
ent of remuneration.
Mr.. Jelfs was also president Of the
alton supply company and was re-
ed upon by his business associates
'r his careful, keen judgment in fl =
1ncial and business matters connect
l with this institution.
MI. Jehs was elected a director of
Ie First National bank at Ration at
3 annual meeting January IL. 1898
: h same meeting he was elected
&c president and from that time uni
his death his attendance upon mel
mes OF the bank was regular and
lnctual' never failing to be present
his desk. except occasionally when