T.B. Peddie & Co., manufacturers, Newark, N.J., 54 was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, Aug. 18, 1827, his parents being among the worthy and highly-respected Protestant families of that section of the country. His father, somewhat embarrassed in his business affairs by the financial troubles of 1846 and 1847, determined to emigrate to America, and, setting sail accordingly reached Montreal in March, 1847, and settled at once in that city. Young Jenkinson, at this time nineteen years of age, having received a fair education in his native land, was placed in a trunk factory for the purpose of learning the trade, which, by the aid of his great industry, skill and business talents, has placed him among the most successful manufacturers of New Jersey. The three years which he considered necessary to fit himself for active and thorough work were spent to the best advantage in Montreal, and when that time was accomplished, he carefully gathered together his earnings, and taking as direct a course as possible, reached Newark, where, entering the large trunk manufacturing establishment of Peddie & Morrison, he modestly offered his services to that well-known house. His frank, business-like air immediately secured him employment, and in a very short time he found himself not only the trusted foreman of that thriving concern, but a party highly interested in its success. With such prospects now before him, it is not difficult to believe that all his energies were put forth, and that year by year, under his skillful management, the business of the establishment, together with his interests therein, was constantly increasing. In 1861, Mr. Morrison, one of the members of the firm, died, and in 1872, Mr. Jenkinson became a full partner in these extensive works which covered nearly half a block in the very centre of the city, and gave employment to several hundred workmen Mr. Jenkinson, although an earnest Republican, and during the Rebellion an active worker in the Union cause, has never sought political preferment, but, on the contrary, has repeatedly declined positions of trust and honor. In 1873, without his knowledge or consent, he was appointed by the Common Council to fill a vacancy in the Board of Education, and was subsequently elected to that office by the people. In 1878 and 1880 he was president of the Board of Trade. Of the People’s Fire Insurance Company he was a director from its organization until it went into liquidation. At the present time he is president of the Newark Electric Light and Power Company, a very extensive and flourishing enterprise. In 1878, Mr. Jenkinson was sent by Governor McClellan as one of the commissioners of New Jersey to the great exhibition at Paris to look after the interests of the manufacturers of that State, and the duties of the mission were satisfactorily performed. In the establishment of the Technical School in the city of Newark he took a prominent part, and was one of the largest contributors to that noble work. Of the High Street Presbyterian Church he is a member, and one of its heartiest supporters.