John Theophilus Jenkins

JENKINS, M.D., JOHN THEOPHILUS, physician, surgeon, coroner, and druggist; b. 12 October 1829 in Charlottetown, son of Reverend L. C. Jenkins and Penelope Desbrisay; m. 14 August 1856 Jesse Esther Carson Rice, and they had six children, Stephen Rice*, Louis Leoline*, Alice Penelope, Henry Herbert, Mary Johnstone, and Francis; Anglican; d. 17 January 1919 in Charlottetown. Jenkins, a Conservative, was first elected to the House of Assembly in the general election of 1867 for Charlottetown Royalty. Though defeated in the federal election of 1873 for Queen's County, he was re-elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election held in September of the same year. In the 1882 federal election, Jenkins was elected to the House of Commons for Queen's County by two votes over Frederick Brecken*. On a later recount, Jenkins' victory was confirmed. This decision was overturned by the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, which awarded the seat to Brecken. When Brecken resigned in 1884, Jenkins was re-elected to the House of Commons in a by-election. In 1891 Jenkins returned to provincial politics, but was defeated in a bid to represent the Charlottetown riding as an independent. Jenkins was educated at local schools, at Central Academy in Charlottetown, and then at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, England. In his early medical career, Jenkins served in the Crimean War as a surgeon for the British and Turkish armies. After the war, he returned to the Island and settled in Upton, just outside Charlottetown. Along with his medical practice, Jenkins was a breeder of horses. He was also engaged in ranching in Western Canada. John Jenkins died 17 January 1919. Jesse Jenkins of Newfoundland was the daughter of a Captain Rice. Stephen*and Louis Jenkins* both served in the Legislative Assembly.