The First American Educated Physician - Jonathan Elmer
Jonathan Elmer was an original graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s medical school.
Elmer went on to serve as a Continental Congressman and inaugural member of the United State Senate.
Jonathan Elmer
Jonathan Elmer was privately tutored in his hometown of Cedarville, New Jersey until he turned 20-years-old.
At a time when most scholars went to college at 16, Elmer was a bit late to the game.
Undeterred, he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he was one of the first students in this college’s medical school. When he graduated, he was among the first class of physicians to earn a degree in their field in North America.
Ascent
Elmer quickly began a practice in New Jersey and was soon elected sheriff of his county.
Three years later the American Revolution began and he was chosen as a Captain in his local militia.
Jonathan was forced to leave his post when he was selected as a Delegate to the Continental Congress.
Missing Signatures
Jonathan Elmer attended the Continental Congress on three separate occasions.
Unfortunately for him, he missed signing any of the major documents.
Elmer arrived just after the Declaration of Independence was signed, then he left just before the Articles of Confederation were signed.
He came back, but again, it was a year too late to sign the Articles.
Jonathan returned to the Continental Congress in 1787, but that was in New York. It just happened that other New Jersey men went to Philadelphia to sign the Constitution.
Senator
Elmer was honored by his State two years later when he was chosen to become an inaugural member of the United States Senate.
As one of just 26 people to attend these initial sessions, Jonathan played a small but important role in shaping many of the procedural precedents that are still used in that body to this day.
Leaving Politics
After his term ended, Elmer petitioned President Washington for the office of Supervisor of Revenue for the State of New Jersey.
Although he had pointed to the service he dedicated to his country as a major setback for his personal business, he did not receive the position.
Instead, he returned to his private practice where he spent the remaining two decades of his life out of the public eye.
Here are some other NEW JERSEY FOUNDERS:
Philemon Dickinson - Commander of New Jersey’s Revolutionary Militia
Samuel Dick Goes Off in an Extraordinary Manner
Jonathan Elmer is too obscure to have a biography all his own.
‘The American Revolution in New Jersey’ is a great book which focuses on Elmer’s home State.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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