Helen Jenkins

Helen Jenkins (Hartley)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51756627/helen-jenkins

American philanthropist

Born on August 16, 1860, in New York, New York; died April 24, 1934, in Morristown, New Jersey; daughter of Marcellus Hartley (firearms manufacturer) and Frances Chester (White) Hartley; married George Walker Jenkins (lawyer) on June 30, 1892; children: 2 daughters.

Soon after inheriting father's fortune (1902), gave dormitory Hartley Hall to Columbia University, with nephew Marcellus Hartley Dodge (1903); donated $350,000 anonymously to Columbia University for construction of Philosophy Hall; in memory of daughter Helen (died 1920), gave main-entrance gates of Barnard College; served as trustee of Teachers College of Columbia University (1907–34); was a principal donor of New York Polyclinic Hospital; endowed Marcellus Hartley Chair of Material Medical of New York University Medical School (1910, 1921); served as president of board of trustees of Hartley House (1926–34), originally established by father (1897); continuing family's work in tenement reform, constructed Hartley Open Stair Tenement (1913) and other small residential model dwellings in NY area; founded Hartley Trust Corporation (1921).