James S. Carnrite, the well known veterinarian of Fort Plain, is a native of Montgomery county, and was born in Amsterdam, September 3, 1893. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Annie Arwilda Brown, and was born in Ontario, died on the 23d of May, 1899, when the subject of this review was but five years old. From his father Dr. Carnrite seems to have inherited his professional tastes, for he is the son of Dr. James Carnrite, a veterinary surgeon of Amsterdam. The father was a graduate of the Toronto Veterinary College and practiced his profession until his death in October of 1901. James Carnrite, Sr., was born in Herkimer county, town of Russia, and with the exception of the period he spent in school in Canada he lived all of his life in the Mohawk Valley, where he was highly respected as a man and a surgeon.
James S. Carnrite continued to live in Amsterdam after the death of his parents and graduated from the high school of that city in the class of 1911, following which he entered Cornell University to take the very excellent course in veterinary medicine offered by that institution. Three years later he completed his course and received his degree. In looking about for a favorable location in which to commence the practice of his profession the young man was attracted to Fort Plain and was fortunate in being able to buy out the practice of Dr. R. N. G. Darby, which gave him an excellent start in his chosen line of work. For the past ten years Dr. Carnrite has devoted his entire attention to his practice which has grown steadily as his reputation has grown among the live stock owners of the community. With the rapid progress that has been made in recent years in bettering the breeds of farm animals, agriculturists have come to realize that there are many times when the services of a trained veterinarian can be of the utmost assistance. Many a heavy loss of valuable live stock has been averted by the prompt attention of a surgeon skilled in the diseases and treatment of animals, hence there has grown a demand for well trained and experienced men in this profession, especially in such rich farming and dairying regions as the Mohawk valley. Dr. Carnrite, who has had the best training and experience the country affords, keeps well abreast of the developments in the field of animal husbandry and has had no small share in bringing the live stock industry to its present high plane in Montgomery county. In this connection he maintains membership in the New York State and National Veterinary Associations.
In the month of August, 1916, Dr. Carnrite was married to Miss Edna May Saltsman, daughter of John and Ida (Saltsman) Saltsman, the former a native of this county and the latter of Fulton county. Until 1912 John Saltsman engaged in farming in Montgomery county, at that time retiring from agricultural pursuits and taking up his residence in Fort Plain, where he still makes his home. Since coming here he has taken an active part in the village life, serving as trustee of the village and as a member of the board of education and is still holding the latter position. Mrs. Carnrite was born in this county in May, 1895, and came to Fort Plain with her parents a dozen or so years ago. Dr. and Mrs. Carnrite have two children: Marion Saltsman, born in January, 1919; and Harriett Edna, born in August, 1922. The family is affiliated with the Dutch Reformed church, of which Dr. Carnrite is a member. He gives his allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is identified with Fort Plain Lodge, No. 433, A. F. & A. M. Aside from performing the ordinary duties of a citizen, Dr. Carnrite has taken little active part in public life, his professional duties making constant demands upon his time and energy. That his efforts in this line have been attended by success is indicated by the large and growing practice he is now enjoying.