Jeremiah Milbank (philanthropist)
Jeremiah Milbank was an American philanthropist noted for his close friendship with President Herbert Hoover. His grandfather, also named Jeremiah, settled in Greenwich, CT before the Civil War and became a partner in Borden, Inc., making a fortune in the condensed milk industry. Milbank founded the Institute for Career Development in 1917 in collaboration with the Red Cross as a rehabilitation center for disabled World War II veterans. In 1928, Milbank organized the International Committee for the Study of Infantile Paralysis and he 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.
