People: Victor Mravlag, MD

Victor Mravlag, MD was one of the physicians who provided excellent surgical care to the people of Elizabeth, NJ from the earliest days of the Elizabeth General Hospital & Dispensary that was established on Jaques St., and his professional life was connected to Elizabeth both in a medical capacity as well as serving two terms as Elizabeth's mayor.

He was a Visiting Surgeon from 1879-1900 and a Consulting Surgeon from 1900-1934. Dr. Mravlag's impact on the community resulted in an elementary school being named after him, along with a street near what is now Routes 1&9 just feet from E. Jersey St., and a housing complex, Mravlag Manor.

The following profile was published in Honeyman's "History of Union County" (p. 87) as follows:

Victor Mravlag, M.D.
Most prominent in the affairs of Elizabeth, New Jersey for many years Dr. Victor Mravlag has been to the fore in every movement tending to the welfare of the city and in matters pertaining to war activities. In municipal government Dr. Mravlag has been the leader since 1909, when he was became mayor of Elizabeth for the first time. Of a kindly, charitable nature, he is ever ready to assist in whatever enterprise is organized to raise funds for some object to aid any of the city's institutions. Professionally he is held in the highest regard by the medical fraternity both in this city and county.

By birth Dr. Mravlag is an Austrian, having been born in Graz, Province of Styria, Austria, July 18, 1848, the son of Philip and Philippine (Von Schluetenberg) Mravlag, both natives of Austria, where they lived during their entire lives and where they died. Dr. Mravlag is the eldest of a family of twelve children, of whom seven are now living: Victor, of whom further; Adolph, a lawyer; Philippine; Hedwig; Johanna; Thekla; Ernest, a lawyer. They all reside in Jugo-Slavia, with the exception of Dr. Victor Mravlag.

Having acquired a good education in the schools of his province during his boyhood, Victor Mravlag in early manhood became a student in the Medical Department of the University of Vienna, from which he graduated in the class of 1872, receiving the degrees of Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Surgery, and Master in Obstetrics.

Coming to America a year later, Dr. Mravlag settled in Elizabeth, in 1873, and taking up private practice, has been engaged in it since that time, specialized in surgery, and for many years has been regarded as one of the foremost operators in the city. When the Elizabeth General Hospital was organized in 1884* Dr. Mravlag was one of the staff physicians and is still a member of it. In 1880 he was appointed city physician, and in 1881 was elected to the City Council, also becoming a member of theBoard of Health, and ever since that time has been connected with the public welfare of his adopted home.

A strong Republican in politics, Dr. Mravlag was elected mayor of the city of Elizabeth on that ticket in 1908, taking his seat January 1, 1909. In 1910 he was tendered a renomination, but refused the honor. In 1912, at the urgent request of his party, Dr. Mravlag again consented to become a candidate for the mayoralty and, being elected by a large majority, once more filled the executive chair and since that time has been re-elected every two years. At the election in 1918, running on an independent ticket, he was elected by a large plurality, attesting his popularity. In 1920 he was again elected on the straight Republican ticket and is now holding office. During his regime many important measures have come up for consideration, the numerous war drives and other matters connected with the World War happening in the years of his administration. For many years Dr. Mravlag was connected with the old National Guards, State of New Jersey, acting as surgeon of the Third Regiment for twenty-two years.

Among fraternal orders Dr. Mravlag is equally interested, being a member of one of the local lodges of Free and Accepted Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of the German Singing Society.

Dr. Mravlag was twice married, the first time at the American Embassy in Vienna, when he was united to Lucy Allen Griffith, who died in Elizabeth in 1883. She was the mother of two children: 1. Victor Philip Mravlag, who died in 1917; he was a lawyer by profession. 2. Lucille, who married Lionel Post, now deceased, the son of Rev. Richard Post, of Elizabeth. Victor Mravlag married (second) Cordelia Stimers, the ceremony taking place in New York City. She was born on Staten Island, New York, the daughter of Alban Stimers, a chief engineer in the United States navy. During the Civil War he was engineer on board the "Monitor" when that vessel was engaged in battle with the "Merrimack." By his second marriage Dr. Mravlag has one son, Paul V., a broker, doing business in New York City. He was a student at Princeton College in his second year when the United States entered the World War, and leaving college, volunteered for service at once. He resides in New York City. Dr. Mravlag makes his home at No. 1062 East Jersey street.

This information was last reviewed or updated on July 11, 2025. Adjustments may be made to this page as new information is added, making this a continual work in progress