"Some History of Our Alma Mater" by John H. Kennerly, 1904

	John H. Kennerly graduated from the Missouri Dental College in 1888 and joined the faculty the following year.  He served as dean of the dental school from 1901 until 1922.  This history of the Missouri Dental College was published in The Dental Era in March 1904.
John H. Kennerly

SOME HISTORY OF OUR ALMA MATER
BY JOHN H. KENNERLY, M.D., D.D.S., OF ST. LOUIS, MO.

ORGANIZATION

At the first annual meeting of the Missouri State Dental Society, held in June, 1866, a committee was appointed to consider a proposition to form a dental college under the auspices of the society, with power to take such action as in their judgment the interests of the profession-and of the public required.

The committee, after patient investigation of the subject, decided that the prospects of establishing a college in St. Louis were so encouraging at this time (the faculties of two medical schools having proffered the most liberal co-operation) that they determined to apply for a charter.

Under the general laws passed by the Legislature of 1865-6 to govern the issue of such charters, it was found necessary to form an association.  This corporate body consisted of the following members:

This done, the members petitioned for a charter, which was granted.  Under the charter the Association appointed a Board of Trustees, as follows:

To this board was confided the appointment of professors and other instructors and to which was conferred power to make such changes in the teachers or the curriculum as the interests of the profession demanded.  Also to hold on behalf of the Association all property belonging to it.

The facilities for establishing a dental school in St. Louis were peculiarly encouraging.  The faculty of the St. Louis Medical College had shown such a liberal spirit in offering the Association the use of their lecture rooms and the advantages of their established museum and hospitals that the Trustees cannot but here acknowledge the obligation of the profession.  The Trustees feel assured in declaring that if the dental profession of the Mississippi Valley take hold of this new enterprise in as broad and liberal a spirit we will soon have established here an institution which will reflect honor on our profession and prove a powerful lever in its elevation by the diffusion of science pertaining to dentistry.

As a result of the foregoing action, the Missouri Dental College, now the Dental Department of Washington University, was chartered on September 15, 1866, the charter being issued to Drs. Homer Judd, H. E. Peebles and Isaac Comstock and others.  The first regular meeting of the faculty took place on September 24, 1866, at the office of Dr. Judd, corner of Sixth and Pine Streets, St. Louis.  Dr. A. Litton was called to the chair.  The business meeting resulted in the election of Dr. Homer Judd as Dean and Dr. Frank White as Secretary.  The only other business done at this meeting was to appoint Dr. Judd a committee of one to formulate a constitution and by-laws for the governing of the school.  The first course of lectures began on Monday, October 1, 1866, and closed on February 22, 1867, the course at that time being five months.

Homer Judd, M.D., first dean of the Missouri Dental College

The first faculty was composed of Homer Judd, M.D., Dean, professor of the institutes of dental science; C. W. Stevens, M.D., professor of general descriptive and surgical anatomy; A. Litton, M. D., professor of chemistry and pharmacy; J. T. Hodgen, M.D., professor of physiology and medical jurisprudence; F. W. White, M.D., professor of materia medica and therapeutics; E. H. Gregory, M.D., demonstrator of anatomy; H. E. Peebles, D.D.S., professor of surgical and operative dentistry; W. H. Eames, D.D.S., professor of artificial dentistry; L. Winkler, curator.

The first annual commencement was held on February 22, 1867, in O’Fallon Hall, Dr. Judd, dean of the faculty, delivering the valedictory on the subject of “The History and Progress of Dental Science.”  There is no doubt but that this paper would be interesting reading now after thirty-eight years have added history to the profession.  The following-named gentlemen who were of that class are still living: Drs. A. W. French, of Springfield, Ill., and G. A. Bowman, of this city.  All the remaining members of the class have since died.  It might be well to note that at least three of the graduates of this class afterwards became members of the faculty, Drs. G. A. Bowman, C. W. Rivers and Isaac Comstock.

At the second annual meeting of the faculty Dr. J. S. B. Alleyne succeeded Dr. White as professor of materia medica and therapeutics, and retained the chair from 1867 until 1891.  He was also made Secretary of the faculty at the same time.  At this meeting it was decided that the course in the Missouri Dental College should close at the same time as the St. Louis Medical College, and that the commencements should be held jointly, an agreement which was continued for twenty-six years, up to and including 1900, at which time the first dental commencement was held alone, at Memorial Hall, Nineteenth and Locust Streets, St. Louis.  It might be well to note here that the Missouri Dental College was the first one in the United States to deliver the greater portion of its lectures jointly with the medical students.  At the second annual commencement there were three graduates, all of whom have since passed away.

At the third annual meeting Dr. John T. Hodgen was made professor of anatomy, Dr. Ellsworth F. Smith professor of physiology, Dr. H. S. Chase, commonly known as “Pa,” professor of surgical and operative dentistry, Dr. John T. McDowell demonstrator of anatomy, Dr. Wm. N. Morrison demonstrator of mechanical dentistry.  The late Dr. Henry Fisher was a member of the graduating class of this year, as were Drs. Edward Park and I. P. Wilson, of Burlington, Iowa.  At this meeting Dr. E. H. Gregory was elected professor of the principles and practice of surgery, and his name has been in every catalogue issued since that time, he having been made emeritus professor of surgery in 1900.

In the fourth class, which graduated from this school on February 3, 1870, appears the name of Dr. Frederick Kempff, so well known to all, being connected with the St. Louis Dental Manufacturing Company.

In the fifth class, graduating from the school on March 4, 1871, appears the name of Dr. A. H. Fuller, who afterwards became professor of operative dentistry; and among other graduates of this class was Dr. W. A. Jones, who for so many years had an office at the corner of Fifteenth Street and Lucas Place; and as an evidence that irregularities of the teeth were being considered at that time, the title of the thesis written by Dr. Jones was “Irregularities of the Teeth and Their Treatment.”

During the following year, 1872, Dr. A. H. Fuller was made demonstrator of surgical and operative dentistry. He was elected Secretary of the faculty in 1873 and filled that office continuously until the death of Dr. H. H. Mudd, in 1899, when he succeeded to the office of dean; Dr. G. A. Bowman, being at that time adjunct professor of mechanical dentistry, Dr. Eames filling the chair as professor of the same.

On February 11, 1874, the entire faculty of the Missouri Dental College resigned their chairs, as the minutes state, in order that the Trustees might fill them again with perfect freedom.  The vote upon the resignations was unanimous.  The names of those voting were Judd, Eames, Bowman, Park and Chase.  Upon March 3 of the same year two well-known gentlemen of this city were graduated, Dr. H. H. Keith and Dr. R. H. Mace.  On June 20 of the same year the following faculty were elected to fill vacancies caused by the resignations: Dr. H. S. Chase, professor of the institutes of dental science; Dr. J. T. Hodgen, professor of anatomy; Dr. A. Litton, professor of chemistry; Dr. C. Baumgarten, professor of physiology; Dr. J. S. B. Alleyne, professor of materia medica; Dr. E. H. Gregory, professor of principles and practice of surgery; Dr, C. W. Rivers, professor of operative dentistry; Dr. A. H. Fuller, professor of mechanical dentistry; Dr. Homer Judd, lecturer on pathology; Dr. W. H. Eames, lecturer on metallurgy; Dr. J. H. McDowell, demonstrator of anatomy; Dr. R. H. Mace, demonstrator of operative dentistry; Dr. Frederick Kempff, demonstrator of mechanical dentistry; Dr. C. W. Rivers, dean of the faculty.

Missouri Dental College, 1875-1892

In 1875 Dr. W. H. Eames was elected professor of the institutes of dental science and dean of the faculty, and Dr. Isaiah Forbes was made professor of surgical and operative dentistry; Dr. M. A. Bartelson, professor of mechanical dentistry; Dr. H. H. Mudd, demonstrator of anatomy; Dr. H. H. Keith, demonstrator of mechanical dentistry.  The Board of Trustees for this year consisted of Isaiah Forbes, President, and A. H. Fuller, Secretary.  The following members composed the board: Dr. E. H. Gregory, H. Judd, E. Park, W. H. Eames, J. C. Goodrich, J. A. Price, G. V. Black, G. A. Bowman, W. N. Morrison, H. Newington, C. W. Rivers.

The only change that was made in the faculty for the term of 1876-77 was the election of Dr. H. H. Keith as professor of mechanical dentistry, Dr. N. Stark as demonstrator of operative dentistry, and Dr. H. C. Macey as demonstrator of mechanical dentistry.

In 1877 Dr. I. Forbes was made emeritus professor of the institutes of dental science; Dr. G. V. Black, lecturer on histology and microscopy.  Among the graduates of this year appear the names of Dr. D. J. McMillan, now the dean of the Western Dental College; Dr. A. J. Prosser, at present the presiding officer of this Association, and Dr. John G. Harper, whose standing in the profession was recently so clearly demonstrated by the token of friendship and esteem presented to him by a number of the recognized leaders of the profession in this city.

In 1878 Dr. J. Ward Hall, now of Shanghai, China, was made professor of surgical and operative dentistry; Dr. A. H. Fuller, professor of the institutes of dental science, and Dr. John G. Harper, demonstrator of operative and mechanical dentistry.  There were only five graduates at the close of this term.  Among them appears the name of Dr. G. V. Black, now dean of the Northwestern University Dental School of Chicago.  On September 16, 1878, Dr. H. H. Mudd was elected dean of the Missouri Dental College, and served as such from that time until the day of his death, which occurred on the 20th day of November, 1899.  It might be well to say in this connection that Dr. Mudd served as demonstrator of anatomy from 1875 to 1883, although he had been made professor of anatomy in 1880.  In 1886 he was made professor of surgical anatomy and clinical surgery.

In 1879 Dr. A. H. Fuller succeeded Dr. J. Ward Hall as professor of operative dentistry, a position which he filled for twenty-two years.  Among the special lecturers of this year appear the names of Drs. G. V. Black, H. Judd, I. P. Wilson and John J. R. Patrick.  Among the graduates were G. A. Bronson of this city; Dr. G. A. McMillan of Alton, Ill.; Dr. C. L. Hungerford of Kansas City, long the professor of operative dentistry in the Kansas City Dental College; Dr. W. T. Stark of Kansas City, professor of prosthetic dentistry in the same school.

In 1880 the school graduated but one man, Dr. J. C. Starkey, so well and favorably known throughout the South, especially in Tennessee, his native State.

In 1881 history again repeats herself, in that the school graduates only one man, Dr. J. F. Hassell, of Lexington, Mo.  The only change made in the faculty during this year was caused by the resignation of Dr. H. H. Keith as professor of mechanical dentistry and the election of Dr. W. N. Morrison to fill the same.

There were no changes in the faculty during the year of 1882.  But among the list of graduates appear the names of the following gentlemen who since their graduation attained high standing in the profession: Dr. Thomas L. Gilmer, professor of oral surgery in the Northwestern University Dental School, and Dr. J. J. R. Patrick, of Belleville, Ill., who was known as one of the most skillful gold workers of his day.

During the year 1883 there were no changes made in the faculty.  Only two men were graduated.

In 1884 the faculty remained the same.  The graduates of that year who have attracted special attention are Dr. Alfred Black, dean of the San Francisco Dental College, and Dr. Warwick Winston, who has been located in Shanghai, China, for some years.

In 1885 Dr. John G. Harper was made professor of mechanical dentistry.  On the list of special lecturers for this year appear the names of Dr. Homer Judd, lecturer on the histology of the dental tissues; Dr. John J. R. Patrick, lecturer on mechanism of the jaws, progressive and retrogressive metamorphosis of the jaws and teeth, and special description of the regular set of teeth; Dr. H. H. Keith, lecturer on soft foil fillings and continuous gum; Dr. W. N. Morrison, lecturer on root fillings, transplantation and replantation.  Among the graduates of this year appears the name of Dr. H. C. Miller, dean of the North Pacific Dental College, of Portland, Oregon.

In 1886 Dr. H. H. Mudd was made professor of surgical anatomy and clinical surgery, Dr. B. J. Prim being made professor of descriptive anatomy, the position formerly filled by Dr. Mudd.

There were no changes made in the faculty for the season of 1887-8, but at this time was added a list of clinical instructors, the list being composed of Drs. Bowman, Whipple, Wick, Newby, Holmes, Conrad, Prosser and Fisher.

The only changes that appear in the faculty for 1888-89 are those of Dr. George J. Dennis, demonstrator of operative dentistry, and Dr. J. H. Kennerly, demonstrator in charge.  Dr. Lindsley, now professor of operative dentistry, was a graduate of this year.

Missouri Dental College, Class of 1890

In 1889-90 appear the names of Drs. Paul Y. Tupper and Harvey G. Mudd, demonstrators of anatomy; George J. Dennis and J. E. Grossheider, demonstrators of operative dentistry and mechanical dentistry, and J. L. Epright, demonstrator in charge.  It might be well to state here that Dr. Epright has been located in London, England, for some years, and enjoys a very lucrative practice.  Among the graduates of this year are the names of Dr. Walter M. Bartlett, for the past four years professor of prosthetic dentistry, and Dr. W. A. Cummings, of Portland, Oregon, for a time professor of operative dentistry in the Oregon College of Dentistry, which was consolidated with the North Pacific Dental College.  Clinical instructors: Drs. P. H. Eisloeffel, P. H. Morrison, T. E. Turner, Edward Schrantz, T. L. Pepperling.

The following year, 1890, Dr. W. M. Bartlett was made demonstrator of mechanical dentistry, and also demonstrator in charge of infirmary, the demonstratorship of operative dentistry being vacant.

In 1891 Dr. W. M. Bartlett was made assistant professor of mechanical dentistry, and Dr. J. H. Prothero demonstrator of operative dentistry and in charge of the infirmary.  Dr. P. is now professor of prosthetic dentistry in the Northwestern Dental School, Chicago.

Dental Department of Washington University, 1892-1902

Dental Department of Washington University, 1902-1905

In 1893 the Missouri Dental College became the Dental Department of Washington University, and the term opened in the new building, 1814 Locust Street, on September 27, 1892.  The first new names to appear on the faculty for this year were that of W. S. Chaplin, chancellor of the University; Dr. W. J. Cox, assistant demonstrator of mechanical dentistry, and Dr. O. W. Bedell, demonstrator of operative dentistry.

In 1893 Dr. W. H. Eames was made superintendent of the infirmary, and remained in this position until his death, the following year.

In 1894 Dr. J. B. Vernon was made superintendent of the infirmary; Dr. DeCourcey Lindsley, lecturer on dental therapeutics; Dr. O. W. Bedell, lecturer on dental embryology and diseases of the teeth; Dr. M. R. Windhorst, lecturer on operative dentistry; Dr. J. B. Kimbrough, demonstrator of operative dentistry.

In 1895 Dr. O. W. Bedell was made professor of mechanical dentistry, and Dr. Sidney P. Budgett, professor of physiology and histology.

There were no changes in 1896.

In 1897 Dr. O. W. Bedell was made professor of the institutes of dental science; Dr. R. R. Vaughn, assistant professor of mechanical dentistry and superintendent of infirmary; Dr. C. W. Richardson, demonstrator of dental technic.

The following year, 1898, Dr. E. H. Angle was made professor of orthodontia; Dr. C. W. Richardson, professor of dental technique, and Dr. R. R. Vaughn, professor of mechanical dentistry.

In 1899 Dr. A. H. Fuller was made dean, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Henry Mudd.  Dr. O. W. Bedell was made secretary, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Dr. Fuller to the office of dean.  Dr. R. J. Terry was made assistant professor of anatomy; Dr. W. H. Warren, assistant professor of chemistry; Dr. H. F. Cassell, professor of mechanical dentistry; Dr. A. E. Matteson, professor of orthodontia.

In 1900 Dr. J. H. Kennerly was made professor of mechanical dentistry and secretary of the faculty; Dr. Hermann Prinz, professor of dental medicine and metallurgy; Dr. H. F. Cassell, assistant professor of mechanical dentistry.

In 1901 Dr. A. H. Fuller resigned from the faculty and was made emeritus professor of operative dentistry; Dr. J. H. Kennerly was elected dean of the faculty, to succeed Dr. Fuller; Dr. W. M. Bartlett was made professor of prosthetic dentistry; Dr. G. A. McMillan, professor of operative dentistry; Dr. B. E. Lischer, professor of orthodontia, dental anatomy and operative technic.

In 1902 Dr. R. J. Terry and Wm. H. Warren were elected to a full professorship of the chairs of anatomy and chemistry, Dr. Willard Bartlett was made lecturer on oral surgery, and Dr. DeCourcey Lindsley lecturer on operative dentistry.

Washington University faculty, 1903

In 1903 Drs. Willard Bartlett, DeCourcey Lindsley and Bland Nixon Pippin were elected as full professors of the chairs which they had filled to the satisfaction of the faculty during the preceding year.

In 1900, when the present faculty assumed the management of the school, there were only 16 students in the freshman class, 26 in the junior and 50 in the senior.  Of the senior class there were 48 graduates, one having died and one failing on final examination.  The facts were that we graduated more than half of our students.  In 1901 the freshman class was increased to 45 and the senior class from 26 to 32.  In 1902 the freshman class was increased to about 60, and the senior class from 12 to 22, 20 of whom graduated.  In 1903, with the going into effect of the four-year course, the freshman class was cut down about fifty per cent, though I am pleased to say that we have a gain over the last year even with a fifty per cent loss in the freshman class.  If this has been accomplished under all the disadvantages that we have been compelled to contend with, what may we not hope to accomplish after the close of the World’s Fair?  After the future dental student has become reconciled to the fact that he is compelled to study dentistry four years before he can hope to graduate, and after we have occupied our permanent home in the former Mary Institute building, with an entirely new equipment, what we may accomplish I leave it to you to predict.