New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association Records

New Jersey veterinarians have been active in organized veterinary medicine ever since the first national association was formed in 1863. Then called the United States Veterinary Medical Association (now called the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA), nine of the thirty-nine charter members were from New Jersey, as well as its first permanent executive secretary, Dr. John G. Hardenbergh. New Jersey has also provided three national President-- Dr. William B. E. Miller, Camden 1883- 1885; Dr. William Herbert Lowe, Patterson, 1905-1906; and Dr. John R. McCoy, Piscataway, 1971-1972.

Twenty New Jersey veterinarians met on February 5, 1884, heeding a call to unite and put an end to "veterinary ignorance and quackery." Graduates and non-graduates of the nation's veterinary schools (1), they met at the 240 Market Street Office of or. James C. Corlies in Newark to discuss the organization of a state veterinary medical society. The group voted to call itself the Veterinary Medical Association of New Jersey, wrote a Constitution and By- laws, elected a president, Dr. William B. E. Miller, and by March of the next year, was incorporated by state law.

The incorporation law provided a source of agitation between graduates and non-graduates, as it stipulated that "no person not at present a member of the Veterinary Medical Association of New Jersey" could become a member of this corporate body "unless he shall receive a veterinary or medical diploma or certificate from some incorporate veterinary or medical college or school or have been examined by a Board of Examiners" and be declared competent by the state. This form of licensure predated formal licensing by the State of New Jersey, and by most other states in the union . A Code of Ethics was adopted December 10, 1885.

Dissension arose among these professionals quickly thereafter as many graduates felt the non-graduates unqualified to represent the profession. These dissidents, among them Dr. William Herbert Lowe, wanted to exclude such "self-made veterinarians from membership. When they found this impossible to achieve, they set about organizing a new association, the New Jersey State Veterinary Society. The new organization was incorporated on August 11, 1887, and established a graduation requirement as one of its provisions for inclusion. Two expelled members of the VMANJ, Drs. Corliss and Lowe were newly installed as President and Secretary, respectively.

Despite this schism, dissension continued within the ranks as Dr. Sattler, treasurer of the VMANJ became incensed at what he perceived as ethnic discrimination against graduates of German Veterinary colleges (New Jersey having a high German immigrant population). In response to what he perceived as a subtle attempt at his ouster from his post, and the organization as a whole (2), he organized the German Veterinary Medical Association from New York and Vicinity in 1899. Several members of the VMANJ joined him, and in 1897, the organization changed its name to the Veterinary Medical Association of the State of New Jersey and Vicinity.

Dr. Lowe, one of the early dissenters, became the spearhead for a compromise, of which he was vehemently opposed but believed that continuity and unity within the organization to be most important. He argued for the adoption of a grandfather clause, permitting those veterinarians without diplomas to be licensed if they were already registered to practice under a 1889 law. Dr. Lowe was reinstated as a member of the VMANJ in September of 1889, and on January of 1900, the VMANJ and the Veterinary Society of the State of New Jersey merged into one. He was elected president of the newly revamped organization in 1901 and national president four years later. (3)

World War provided opportunities for renown for the veterinary profession, and the VMANJ was a great contributor. World War I created problems for food production, particularly after America entered the War in 1917. The VMANJ passed a resolution on January of 1917 that called for the approval of horse meat "as a valuable human food of nutritive value ... and we strongly urge Congress to immediately make available" upwards of two millions of horses.

After World War II, when Senator McCarthy and others warned of the infiltration of Communism into the country, the VMANJ expressed open. concern about the possibility of germ warfare attacks. New Jersey was perceived as a prime target, because of its vast number of imported meat, and so VMANJ demanded that the existing meat inspection laws be upgraded.

Dissension again thrust itself upon the organization in 1967, over the inclusion of a resolution for the experimentation on impounded pets. A motion was made and carried to remove this resolution from the by-laws, but it was defeated. In response to this, several dissident members organized the New Jersey Academy of Veterinary and Medical Surgery. Its members continued to pay dues to the VMANJ, though many expressed fear that this lack of unity may shatter the state association.

By 1971, however, the situation came to a head when the VMANJ (by now called the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, NJVMA) formed its own Academy (the Academy of Veterinary Practice in New Jersey) as the vehicle to provide continuing education courses for practicing veterinarians. The New Jersey Academy of Veterinary and Medical Surgery objected to this flagrant use of its name . There was talk of legal action, but the matter was finally resolved, when the New Jersey Academy of Veterinary and Medical Surgery agreed, after the dissolution of the Academy of Veterinary Practice in New Jersey, to provide post-gradaute seminars for its members. An essential arm of the NJVMA, its membership is now open to all practicing veterinarians in New Jersey.

See page 2 of Feisty Veterinarians...

1882

Newark orders first inspection of dairies in the nation.

1884

The Bureau of Animal Industry established with Dr. D.E. Salomon as its first chief.

1900

Montclair becomes the first American city to undertake regular bacteriological examination of milk.

1914

Dr. Arthur D. Goldhaft becomes the first veterinarian in the world to devote an entire practice to poultry disease problems.

1938

First cooperative for artificial insemination of cattle is established at Belle Meade.

1952

New Jersey becomes the first state to incorporate a code of ethics into the Veterinary Practice Law.

1975

New Jersey Veterinary Education Foundation is established.

1982

New Jersey believed to be the first of its kind to furnish counseling and assistance to veterinarians impaired by alcohol and drug abuse.

1983

New Jersey passes the Animal Population Control Fund Law which provides for low cost spay and neutering of dogs in existing veterinary facilities.

See pages 40-41, and 44-46 of The Feisty Veterinarians of New Jersey for further details on the administration of the organization.

The government of the NJVMA is one of representative democracy, in theory. In practice, however, the voice of the membership is rarely heard or spoken. The day to day policy decisions are made by an executive branch composed of officers elected on the state level and a legislative branch, known as the Executive Board, composed of one delegate and alternate elected by the eight local associations,plus two members at large appointed by the president. The eight local groups are the Metropolitan, Southern, Southeastern, Northern, Central and Jersey Shore, the Northwest New Jersey Veterinary Society and the Equine Practitioners Association.

Surprisingly, the president is not the officer with the most influence and power. In the first sixty-five years, when the presidents served for two to four successive one-year terms, the president was the most influential officer in the organization. In the late 1940's, however, an amendment was past that prohibited the chief executive "from succeeding himself in office after serving one year. Nothing in the by-laws prohibited a past president from being re-elected, however.

Since 1949, the power base of the organization shifted from the president to the secretary, and most recently to the Executive Board. The latter shift in power occurred when, in 1971, most of the duties of the secretary shifted to the Executive Director. The majority of the Board members, representing the constituent associations, are elected for two year terms, and nothing prevents them from succeeding themselves in office.

Understandably, NJVMA presidents have felt immense frustration by the dominance of the Board. Though there has been suggestion that the bylaws be amended to allow for successive terms, this suggestion has been strongly rebuffed for fear of some kind of individual dictatorship . Nonetheless the presidency is coveted, because of the prestige of the office toward the world at large.

Despite the growing number of women in the profession, they have not played a major role in the decision making process of the state association. None have been elected to the presidency, only one, has been an elected officer, and only three have ever served on the Executive Board.

(1) As with many professionals during this period, many rose to illustrious heights through apprenticeships, rather than professional schooling.

(2) A resolution was proposed that members of the association be graduates of American veterinary schools, and be New Jersey residents. Dr. Sattler had a German degree, and lived in New York.

(3) The German organization seems to have died, further information on it was not given.

(4) Originals were given preference here, but when they weren't available, a choice was made.

Taken from pages 41-44 of The Feisty Veterinarians of New Jersey. The latest term given is 1985.

1884

Dr. James C. Corlies, Newark, Temporary President, February-April

1884-1887

Dr. William B. E. Miller (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1879), Camden

1887-1888

Dr. William Dimond, Newark

1888-1889

Records unavailable

1889-1891

Dr. James W. Hawk (Columbia Veterinary College, 1881), Newark

1891-1892

Dr. R.R. Letts, Hoboken

1892-1893

Dr. James C. Dustan, a non-graduate of Morristown

1893-1894

Dr. Julius Gerth Jr. (American Veterinary College, New York City, Year Not Known), Newark

1884-1885

Dr. Miller reelected

1885-1897

Dr. Hawk reelected

1897-1899

Dr. William H. Arrowsmith (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1882), Jersey city

1899-1901

Dr. L. P. Hurley, Hopewell

1901-1905

Dr. William Herbert Lowe (Columbia Veterinary College, 1882), Patterson

1905-1907

Dr. Thomas Earle Budd (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1892), Orange

1907-1908

Dr. Eldon Leon Loblein (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1883), New Brunswick

1908-1910

Dr. John Bogert Hopper (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1892), Ridgewood

1910-1912

Dr. Thomas B. Rogers (American Veterinary College, New York City, year unknown), Woodbury

1912-1915

Dr. Thomas E. Smith, Jersey City

1915-1917

Dr. Wilfred Follansbee Harrison (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1887), Stockton

1917-1919

Dr. J. Payne Lowe, Passaic

1919-1920

Dr. James T. Glennon (New York College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1896), Newark

1920-1922

Dr. Robert E. Mosedale (The Royal Veterinary College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1902), Bernardsville

1922-1923

Dr. Henry H. Blair (Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 1905 and American Veterinary College, New York City, 1906), Freehold

1923-1925

Dr. John W. Haffer (Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 1905 and McKillip Veterinary College, Chicago, 1906), Patterson

1925-1927

Dr. Arthur W. Smith (New York State Veterinary College, NYU, 1898), Orange

1927-1929

Dr. John H. McNeil (University of Pennsylvania, 1898), Trenton

1929-1931

Dr. Harry C. Millar (University of Pennsylvania, 1890), Asbury Park

1931-1933

Dr. Ronald w. Butterworth (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1907), Patterson

1933-1935

Dr. Wilbur B. Maxson (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1911), Flemington

1935-1937

Dr. Edward R. Cushing (American Veterinary College, New York City, 1920), Plainfield

1937-1939

Dr. Charles J. McAnulty, Atlantic City

1939-1941

Dr. Gustaw Henry Kimnach (1914), Hightown

1941-1943

Dr. John T. McGrann (University of Pennsylvania, 1921), Trenton

1943-1945

Dr. Ralph A. Hendershott (Ohio State University, 1917), Trenton

1945-1947

Dr. Joseph A. S. Millar (University of Pennsylvania, 1928), Deal

1947-1949

Dr. Raymond P. Lawrence (University of Pennsylvania, 1916), Newton

1949-1950

Dr. Robert P. Lawrence (University of Pennsylvania, 1930), Holmdel

1950-1951

Dr. Joseph B. Englew (Cornell University, 1926), Summit

1951-1952

Dr. Elwood G. Fooder (University of Pennsylvania, 1935), Haddonfield

1952-1953

Dr. James R. Porteus (Cornell University, 1918), Trenton

1953-1954

Dr. Amos W. Stults (University of Pennsylvania, 1936), Neptune

1954-1955

Dr. John M. McCarthy (Cornell University, 1932), West Englewood

1955-1956

Dr. Robert R. Crelin (University of Pennsylvania, 1936), Neptune

1956-1957

Dr. W. Philip Boyer (University of Pennsylvania, 1936), Morris Plains

1957-1958

Dr. William W. Bailey (Iowa State University, 1939), Sussex

1958-1959

Dr. Oscar W. Sussman (Michigan State University, 1940), Princeton

1959-1960

Dr. Myron S. Arlein (Iowa State University, 1939), Maplewood

1960-1961

Dr. Robert L. Ticehurst (University of Pennsylvania, 1934) Red Bank

1961-1962

Dr. John S. Gray (Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 1934) Newton

1962-1963

Dr. Owen K. Fox, Mount Holly

1963-1964

Dr. Arthur F. North, Jr. (Cornell University, 1935), Bridgewater

1964-1965

Dr. William J. Foster (University of Pennsylvania, 1944), Clifton

1965-1966

Dr. Russell S. Edmonds, Sr. (University of Pennsylvania, 1937) , Princeton

1966-1967

Dr. Robert R. Shomer (University of Pennsylvania, 1934), Teaneck

1967-1968

Dr. Joseph M. Fell (Michigan State University, 1947), Morristown

1968-1969

Dr. Lloyd J. Sanders (Ohio State University, 1948), Dover

1969-1970

Dr. Bernard G. Levine (University of Pennsylvania, 1955), Toms River

1970-1971

Dr. Calvin W. Moon (University of Pennsylvania, 1952), Trenton

1971-1972

Dr. John R. McCoy (University of Pennsylvania, 1940), Piscataway

1972-1973

Dr. Richard A. Hartkopf (Kansas State University, 1956), Westfield

1973-1974

Dr. Marvin Rothman (University of Pennsylvania, 1948), Collingswood

1974-1975

Dr. Jerome H. Ripps (Cornell University, 1943), Asbury Park

1975-1976

Dr. Silvio A. Fittipaldi (Auburn University, 1937), Avalon

1976-1977

Dr. Roy K. Imhoff (Ohio State University, 1959), Nutley

1977-1978

Dr. William P. Darrow (Cornell University, 1950), summit

1978-1979

Dr. Edward Baker (University of Pennsylvania, 1948), Englewood

1979-1980

Dr. David Eisenberg (Kansas State University, 1947), Toms River

1980-1981

Dr. William V. Hobbie (Iowa State University, 1961), Basking Ridge

1981-1982

Dr. Charles J. Driben (University of Pennsylvania, 1965), Morristown

1982-1983

Dr. Harold M. S. Smith (University of Pennsylvania, 1943), Milford

1983- 1984

Dr. David A. Meirs, II (University of Pennsylvania, 1954), Cream Ridge

For more details, see pages 46-49 of The Feisty Veterinarians of New Jersey.

During the early years of its history, women were discouraged from attending the meetings of the NJVMA, and even once the subject was broached at the 1918 meeting, the opposition to the formation of an Auxiliary organization was loud and violent. Once the presence of women became more frequent, and obvious that they could been seen as more of a help to their husbands than a hindrance, the Women's Auxiliary was formally established on July 11, 1935, nearly twenty years after the first outcry against their presence.

In the last 50 or more years, the Auxiliary has become an integral part of the social planning of the annual convention, and has expanded its scope into philanthropic endeavors. They have donated monies to various causes, sponsored scholarship funds, and other fund raising activities. It has also moved into the public relations arena to help uplift the public perception of the veterinary profession. Pamphlets and films on the role of veterinarians have been taken to elementary schools and high schools to promote the professions' misperceived image. As of August 1984, the membership list totalled 136, or twenty five percent of the NJVMA membership. The word, "Womens" was dropped from the name to admit non-veterinarian spouses of women veterinarians.

Taken from pages 50-51 of The Feisty Veterinarians of New Jersey. The latest term given is 1985.

1935-1938

Mrs. Arthur W. Smith

1938-1940

Mrs. W. F. Harrison

1940-1942

Mrs. J. H. McNeil

1942-1947

Mrs. John McGrann

1947-1949

Mrs. William H. Bailey

1949-1951

Mrs. J. H. Spurlock

1951-1953

Mrs. James Savage

1953-1955

Mrs. G. H. Kimnach

1955-1957

Mrs. Russell S. Edmonds

1957-1959

Mrs. Owen K. Fox

1959-1961

Mrs. Lester Barto

1961-1963

Mrs. Clarence H. Chehayl

1963-1965

Mrs. John R. McCoy

1965-1967

Mrs. Robert R. Shomer

1967-1969

Mrs. Irving Botwinick

1969-1971

Mrs. Jack H. Beattie

1971-1973

Mrs. William Taylor

1973-1975

Mrs. George E. Boyle

1975-1977

Mrs. Joseph M. Fell

1977-1979

Mrs. Juan F. Figueroa

1979-1981

Mrs. Carmen S. Scherzo

1981-1983

Mrs. Calvin W. Moon

1983-1985

Mrs. Arthur Baeder