Dr. Stephen Rice Jenkins was born on November 12, 1858 in Charlottetown, PEI. Stephen went to school in Charlottetown, including the St.Peter's Church School from 1872-1875. He went to Kings College in Nova Scotia. He then went on to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvannia and graduated in 1884. Stephen did a year's internship before returning home to PEI.

Stephen took over the smallpox hospital and treated patients who had the smallpox, which had hit Charlottetown in 1885. Stephen married Helen Sweeny (1862-1949), and then they moved to Tignish, where he opened his first medical practice. Then they moved back to Charlottetown. The couple had nine children.

Stephen had a large medical practice in Charlottetown. He was a surgeon with the Fourth Prince Edward Island Regiment of Artillery and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In his long career, Stephen was associated with the Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island Hospitals, and was an active member of the Red Cross Society. Stephen was also involved in politics and was elected to serve in the provincial legislature as a Conservative representative for Charlottetown in 1911 and 1915.

Dr.Stephen Rice Jenkins died of pneumonia in September 1929.

PARO, Acc 3466/HF81.140.13.4