James Alexander Jennings and Family

Photo Info

James A Jennings Family

James came to Brooksville as a child with his parents, James and Malinda McKeown Jennings.  He married Lee Miller Jennings married in 1887 and had five children, James Jr., Jennie (married George Ellis), Freddie Leigh (married Guss Wilder), Lynda (married John Whitehurst), and George Herman, who died as a toddler.

Jennings operated a General Store on the northwest corner of the Jennings building on Broad and Main Streets.

In 1905, Hernando State Bank was founded by James Jennings, JC Burwell, Sheriff Law, and the Varn family.  Jennings became the first President of Hernando State Bank located at the corner of Jefferson and Main Streets. The bank, now Truist, has consistently been in that location but changed names several times. 

James was cousin to Governor William Jennings and to politician William Jennings Bryan and himself served in politics as Chairman of the Hernando County Commission.

CITATIONS/CREDIT:

James (1857-1924): https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/historical_architecture_main/2160/ 

Lee (1866-1955): https://fineartamerica.com/featured/james-a-jennings-house-norman-johnson.html 

James Jr. (1988-1944) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110176287/ 

Jennie (1890-1955): District VP of Ruth Bryan Owen Club https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Bryan_Owen 

Freddie Leigh’s surprise announcement (1892-1974)

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/110175324/freddie-jennings-surprise-announcement/

Lynda (1896-1979)      https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83308391/jenningswhitehurst-connection/ 

George (1899-1900)