Henry McKee Minton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry McKee Minton
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| Born | 25 December 1870 Columbia, South Carolina, United States
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| Died | 29 December 1946 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Doctor |
| Known for | Sigma Pi Phi founder |
Henry McKee Minton was an important African-American doctor. He was born on December 25, 1870, and passed away on December 29, 1946. Dr. Minton helped start a special group called Sigma Pi Phi. He also led the Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia for 24 years.
Early Life and Education
Henry McKee Minton was born in Columbia, South Carolina. His birthday was December 25, 1870. His parents, Sawyer Theophilus Minton and Jennie McKee Minton, were both from Philadelphia. Henry was their only child.
His father worked as a lawyer. Henry was named after his uncle, Henry Minton. This uncle was a successful businessman in Philadelphia. He helped start a group for caterers.
Henry's grandfather on his mother's side was Colonel John McKee. Colonel McKee moved to Philadelphia from Virginia in the 1840s. He started as a waiter and later owned restaurants. He then invested in real estate and became very rich.
Henry started school in Washington, D.C. when he was five. He studied at the Academy of Howard University for two years. Then, he went to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. He graduated from Exeter in 1891.
While at Exeter, Henry was very active. He helped edit the school newspaper, The Exonian. He also helped edit the Literary Monthly. He was the president of the debating club. He was also a speaker at his graduation ceremony.
After Exeter, Minton studied law for one year. He attended the University of Pennsylvania. Next, he spent three years studying pharmacy. He went to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He earned his Ph.G. degree in 1895.
In 1897, Henry Minton opened his own drugstore. This was the first drugstore in Philadelphia owned by an African American.
Colonel McKee, Henry's grandfather, died in April 1902. Newspapers said he was "the richest coloured man in America." In his will, Colonel McKee left most of his money to the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted them to build a college for orphans. This was surprising because he had no known connection to the church.
After some disagreements, Henry Minton received $25,000 from the estate. This amount was much less than people expected. However, it was still a very large sum of money at that time.
In 1902, Minton left his drugstore. He was accepted into Jefferson Medical College to study medicine.
Founding Sigma Pi Phi
On May 15, 1904, Henry Minton helped create Sigma Pi Phi. This group is also known as the Boulé. It was the first Black Greek letter fraternity.
The other founders were Algernon B. Jackson, Edwin C. Howard, and Richard J. Warrick. Fraternities were important back then. They helped people make connections for their careers. The Boulé grew into a very important national organization.
Minton said the group's goal was to "bind men of like qualities... into close sacred union." He wanted members to know the best about each other. He also said new members should not just be smart. They should also be friendly and cultured. They needed to have a record of achievements, not just promises.
Minton was the first leader of the Boulé, called the grand sire archon. He helped start the second chapter in Chicago in 1907. Sigma Pi Phi is the oldest Black Greek letter fraternity still active today. In 2008, it had 5,000 members.
Medical Career
Henry Minton earned his M.D. degree in 1906. That same year, he became the first pharmacist at the Douglass Hospital. This hospital was founded in 1895 by Dr. Nathan F. Mossell. It was the first hospital in Philadelphia for African Americans. Later, Minton became the secretary of the hospital's Board of Directors.
Another hospital for African Americans, the Mercy Hospital, opened in 1907. Dr. Eugene T. Hinson and other community leaders started it. Minton's father was on the Board of Directors for Mercy Hospital.
The Mercy Hospital moved to West Philadelphia in 1919. In 1920, Minton became the superintendent. He took over from Algernon B. Jackson. Dr. Hinson recommended him for the job.
Henry Minton held this important position for 24 years. During his time, many interns and nurses received their training at the hospital. He also worked at the Henry Phipps Institute. This institute was well-known for treating tuberculosis. He worked there from 1915 until he passed away in 1946.
Henry Minton married Edith Wormley. Her parents owned a large, wealthy hotel in Washington. Henry Minton died at the Mercy Hospital on December 29, 1946. He had a heart attack. His wife had passed away in Washington the previous September.
