Jenkins, M. D., Edmund Randolph

JENKINS, PHELPS, FLETCHER

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 6/30/2021 at 12:01:21

Edmund Randolph Jenkins, M. D., of the firm of Scofield & Jenkins, physicians and surgeons, Washington, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., June 18, 1848. His father Amaziah Jenkins, is of Welsh descent, and was born in Connecticut. His mother, Emeline (Phelps) Jenkins, was also a native of the latter State. Amaziah Jenkins and Emeline Phelps were married in Lockport, N. Y., but soon afterward settled in Genesee County. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are now living: Alpheus; Adelia, a widow of Ephraim Meeks, and the Doctor. Mr. Jenkins was the classmate at college with Millard Fillmore; he became a highly educated man, and followed teaching as a profession for many years. In politics, he was an Abolitionist, and was one of the prominent men in conducting the affairs of the “underground railroad,” his home being a refuge for escaping slaves. On the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it, and continued to advocate its principles until his death, which occurred in 1875. Mrs. Jenkins died in 1856. She was a member of the Old-School Presbyterian Church.

The subject of this sketch was but eight years of age when his mother died, and two years later he went with his father to Oberlin, Ohio, where he attended the public schools until 1861. He then went to Lockport, N. Y., where he attended school until he was sixteen years of age, and in the fall of 1864 went to Adams County, Wis. In 1870 he went to Keokuk, Iowa, entered the office of Dr. H. T. Cleaver, and subsequently became a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated from that institution on the 16th of June, 1874. He soon afterward commenced the practice of Medicine at West Chester, this county, where he followed his profession until July, 1885, when he formed his present partnership with Dr. Scofield. In September, 1883, he attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City, receiving his diploma March 12, 1884. The Doctor is a member of the County, District and State Medical Associations, and in 1885 and 1886 was President of the County Association.

Dr. Jenkins was married in Keokuk, Iowa, May 9, 1876, to Miss Agnes Fletcher. By this union there is one child, Ada L. Dr. and Mrs. Jenkins are members of the Baptist Church. As a physician, Dr. Jenkins has been very successful, and has secured a practice second to no other physician in this section. In his profession he is well read and is not satisfied with the experience of those in the remote past, but is willing to adopt any principle or theory that commends itself to his better judgement.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Edmund Randolph Jenkins, M. D, pages 305-306.