Medoff, John K..

Little is known of John K. Medoff's early years. He was born in or about 1911 in a Russian shtetl. According to Medoff's daughter, Jean St. Germain, he did not often talk about his life growing up in Russia, wishing to avoid unpleasant memories of fear, disease, hunger, and death. In his later years, Medoff would discuss how his father instructed the family how best to hide during a pogrom.

Medoff immigrated to the United States around 1925 with little knowledge of the English language. Growing up in the Bronx, Medoff made great strides, eventually starting his own pest control company, Tremont Exterminating Company, in 1935. The company evolved into Hudson Exterminating Company and moved across the Hudson River into New Jersey, where it remains today.

Medoff married the former Gertrude Sadoff, who herself had immigrated to the United States from Russia along with her parents. Gertrude was her high school's valedictorian and graduated summa cum laude from New York University with a degree in biology. Together, they had three daughters - Nina, Martha, and Jean - as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As Medoff's business grew, he became more involved in the pest control and agriculture industries. He was a founder and a two-time President of the New Jersey Pest Control Association and was greatly involved in the National Pest Control Association. He developed a relationship with the then-New Jersey College of Agriculture through the creation of short courses designed to assist pest control operators. Eventually, his involvement increased to the point where he became a member of the College of Agriculture's Board of Managers, later serving two terms as President and becoming the first "city man" to do so. His knowledge of pesticides and agriculture was instrumental to his work on state environmental programs. Medoff also sat on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture.

Nationally, Medoff was at the forefront of the National Pest Control Association, serving the organization through various roles, including as Vice President. He committed himself to expanding his knowledge of pest control and also his professional connections by organizing and attending conferences, courses, and seminars led by professors at Purdue University and the University of Massachusetts.

Though he spent much of his time at Rutgers in New Brunswick and pursuing more knowledge in his field, Medoff never lost sight of helping his fellow citizens in Hudson County. He led the push to create a Cooperative Extension office for Hudson County. Despite being the father of three girls, he was committed to leadership roles in the local and regional Boy Scouts of America councils. Through his civic connections, he helped organize activities for Hudson and Somerset County youth during several Farm-City Week programs. Medoff offered his help and services to all in need and remained active in his own business late into his life. John K. Medoff died in 2005.

From the guide to the Guide to the Papers of John K. Medoff, 1911-2005, bulk 1940-1999, (Rutgers University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives)