James L. H. Elmendorf

James L.H. Elmendorf, M.D., Delta 1863, Phi Alpha 1864-1865

James L.H. Elmendorf, M.D., Delta 1863, was a physician and surgeon. Born in 1843, he had the honor of serving as Phi Alpha at the young age of 21 to 22.  During his tenure as Phi Alpha, Zeta Psi chartered the Omega chapter at the old University of Chicago in 1864.

Brother Elmendorf’s father, James, was the pastor of the North Dutch Reformed Church
in Brooklyn. Dr. Elmendorf established a thriving medical practice in 1866 in Brooklyn and had a
remarkably large clientele with many of the families of his father’s parishioners. He also
serviced patients at Long Island College Hospital. He was active in the Kings County
Medical Society, the Pathology and Anatomical and Surgical Societies. Regrettably,
Dr. Elmendorf had poor health and starting in 1871, had to spend a large amount of time in the
Adirondacks away from his practice and died of pneumonia in 1880.