Daniel Jenkins was born a slave in Barnwell County, South Carolina in April of 1862. Later in life, he moved to Charleston, where he began a business selling wood. Early one winter morning on his way to work, Jenkins ran into a group of young and abandoned children who were huddled together in a freight car for warmth. He realized that the community was in need of an orphanage.

On December 16, 1891, he founded Jenkins Orphanage, now called the Daniel Joseph Jenkins Institute for Children, which has been a refuge for neglected children of the Lowcountry for well over 100 years.

SCIWAY thanks the Jenkins Institute for allowing us to use this historic photo of their founder.

Learn more about Daniel Joseph Jenkins Institute for Children by visiting the official website.

Read our article: Orphanage Band Instrumental in Jenkins’ Past and Future.

See more pictures of the Jenkins Orphanage & Jenkins Institute.