“Daddy Jenks” was born on June 18, 1873 in Prompton, PA. As a young boy, he gave himself his middle name of Garfield after his favorite President. As a man, he was given the Indian name meaning “a little man with a big, tender heart.” “Daddy Jenks” was called to Washington during World War I to be the Asst. Director of the Boys Working Reserve in the Labor Department. He went all over the country mobilizing young people to help on farms, producing food and fiber for war production. In 1919 he became the Maryland Boys’ 4-H Club Leader, where he remained until his retirement in 1943. Jenkins, Mylo Downey and Dorothy Emerson (past Maryland 4-H State Leaders) are acknowledged as the foundation for the Maryland 4-H Program.
“Daddy Jenks” worked closely with William Kendrick, West Virginia State Boys’ Club Agent who had started a chapter of 4-H All Stars. Jenkins invited West Virginia 4-H All Stars to establish the Maryland chapter in 1921 with 12 charter members. He commented: “I have always felt the outstanding 4-H All Stars are those who are endowed with the power of love, consecration, patience, and deeper understanding.” Today, several thousand active All Stars work in service to 4-H across the state. The Maryland 4-H All Stars presented a memorial garden at the National 4-H Center to recognize and honor this gentle man. “Daddy Jenks” left a remarkable legacy of service through his years of dedication and accomplishment.
