Jeremiah Milbank (philanthropist)
Jeremiah Milbank (1887–1972) was an American philanthropist noted for his close friendship with President Herbert Hoover. His grandfather, also named Jeremiah (1818-1884), lived in New York City and in Greenwich, CT and was a dry goods merchant who became a partner in Borden, Inc., making a fortune in the condensed milk industry. Milbank founded the Institute for the Crippled and Disabled (later renamed the Institute for Career Development) in 1917 in collaboration with the Red Cross as a rehabilitation center for disabled World War I veterans. In 1928, Milbank organized the International Committee for the Study of Infantile Paralysis and later served on the original Board of Trustees of the March of Dimes. Milbank served as a treasurer of the Republican National Committee, and often hosted Herbert Hoover on his yacht Saunterer, including to celebrate Thomas Edison's 82nd birthday. He later joined Hoover in founding the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and served as treasurer of the national organization for 25 years. His son, Jeremiah Milbank Jr., later served as chairman of the organization.
Jeremiah Milbank | |
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Railway executives meet with Hoover. Front row, left to right: Agnew T. Dice, Pres. Phila. and Reading R.R.; Richard Aishton, President American Railway Association; Secretary of Commerce Lamont; Secretary of the Treasury Mellen, Hale Holden, Chairman Southern Pacific R.R. and L.F. Loree, President of the Delaware and Hudson. Back row, left to right: Jeremiah Milbank, Southern Railway, J.J. Bernet, President Chesapeke and Ohio; P.E. Crowley, President New York Central Lines, J.J. Pelley (hiding face) New York, New Haven and Hartford, Fairfax Harrison, President Southern Railway. | |
| Born | 1887 |
| Died | 1972 (aged 84–85) |