Maker/Dealer
J.W.Jenkins Co.
Kansas City, MO
USA
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The original company founded J.W.Jenkins Co. and succeeded by J.W. Jenkins Sons.
(John Woodward Jenkins died in 1890) The company was an all-around retailer of anything musical including violins, and novelty instruments, such as the Frisco slide whistle.
1903 J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Cos Complete Catalogue of Band Instruments shows a photo of their store at 1013 and 1015 Walnut St. Kansas City, Mo. The window display shows Steinway Pianos and Vose Pianos. The catalog list York & Sons full line. Showing the Monarch and the Professional Cornets. Also lists a Valve Trombone. The catalogue also lists Gomat & co, August Henem, Courtois and The Leeder Mouthpieces. They state that they are makeing the Leeder now. There is also a photo of their factory it shows men polishing up guitars and other stringed instruments. At least some of his offerings appear to be Pan American stencils.
- 1878 music store founded by John Woodward Jenkins (1827-
1890, top photo) at #611 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
1880 census says he deals in pianos and music
1880s son John Wesley Jenkins (1864-1932) joins him and the
name changes to JW Jenkins & Son Music Co.
1890 founder John dies and the business is changed to JW
Jenkins’ Sons Music Co. with John Jr., Clifford W. Jenkins
(1869-after 1930), and Frederick Butler Jenkins (1870-
1939)
1902 store moves to #1013-1015 Walnut St.
1903 selling brass from York & Sons, Gomat & Co., August
Heinem, & Courtois
1910 Clifford is sec/tres of company
1911 new store at #1217-1223 Walnut Street
1917 John W. Jenkins III (1894-1958, son of Clifford) at store
1920 John Wesley Jenkins is president
1931 now named the Jenkins Music Co.
1932 store enlarged with 8 story addition
1930s selling Pan-American & Cavalier brass by Conn
1940 John W. Jenkins III is vice-president
1950s maximum expansion to 14 stores in 5 states with 700
employees
1958 Frederick Bliss Jenkins (1898-1960, son of Fred) sells his
interest in the business to family members; he served as
vice-president
1971 filed for bankruptcy
1973 sold to Rich Music Co.
Brass instruments include:
August Heinem (1890s to early 1900s, Austrian),
Harwood (early 1900s to1930s, Austrian, some B&F),
Jenkins Special (1920s & 30s, US made stencil poss. Conn),
American Capital (US or import),
New Jenkins (Czech. made, 1918-1938), and
Karl Schubert (Czech.made, 1918-1938)
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