USA > California > Contra Costa County > The history of Contra Costa County, California > Part 26
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NORTONVILLE .- Dr. Emmett L. Wemple located in 1873 and re- mained a short time. Doctor Joseph L. Woolford practiced in the late '70s. Doctor R. D. Spedding succeeded Doctor Woolford. Doctor Hugo Rozsas had an extensive practice in Nortonville until the mines closed down in 1884.
PINOLE .- Doctor S. J. Tennent came to what is now Pinole in 1849, but did not devote his entire time to the practice of medicine, al- though he served as county physician for a number of years. Doctor J. McI. Morrison located in Pinole in 1896, and was the first actual active practitioner in the town. Doctor Morrison remained in Pinole for about four years, and in 1905 relocated there for a few months. Doctor R. B. Stanley Smith located in Pinole in 1901 and remained about one year. Doctor J. W. Key came in 1901 and stayed one year. Doctor Herbert Watt practiced in Pinole from 1902 to 1905. Doctor Devore followed Doctor Key, and Doctor H. Y. Baldwin came in 1906 and remained for a few months. Doctor M. L. Fernandez came from San Francisco to Pinole in 1906 and has been in continuous practice here since that time. Pinole was the birthplace of Doctor Fernandez and his boyhood home.
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His father had very extensive business interests here. The Doctor has established a very extensive practice, and is undoubtedly one of the busiest men in Contra Costa County. He also has extensive business in- terests. Doctor F. P. McManus came as an assistant to Doctor Fernan- dez in 1916, and is resident physician at the Hercules Powder Com- pany.
PITTSBURG .- The history of a considerable part of the growth and development of Pittsburg can be written around the name of Doctor Frank S. Gregory. He graduated from the Cooper Medical College in 1900, and soon after located in Pittsburg. He had the confidence and patronage of the entire population of this city, and was very active in its economic and social development, serving for many years as chair- man of the city council and as a member of its school board. He was perhaps the most active man in Pittsburg in its civic development. In 1914 he made an extended visit in the East while engaged in postgrad- uate studies, and after returning to California located in Redwood City. In 1913 Doctor Lucian A. Bauter located in Pittsburg and has built up a good practice. Doctor W. A. Nicolson succeeded Doctor F. S. Gregory and remained for about a year and a half, and later removed to Oakland. Doctor S. H. Marks succeeded Doctor Nicolson, and has made many friends, building up an extensive practice. Doctor H. E. Peters located in Pittsburg early in 1915. He is a man with a very genial personality and of good medical training, and is a very busy practi- tioner.
PORT COSTA .- The first physician to locate along the Port Costa- Crockett water-front was Doctor J. S. Riley, who came to Port Costa in 1882, and was physician for the Southern Pacific Company until 1893. Doctor A. W. Rickey came to Port Costa in 1892 and was ap- pointed the Southern Pacific Company's physician, to succeed Doctor Riley, and remained in Port Costa until 1912. He served as county phy- sician from 1905 to 19II.
RICHMOND .- The first physician to locate in Richmond was Doctor L. T. Gorsuch, who came to Richmond in the early part of 1901. He was the first surgeon of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, had a good practice, and built a fine home. He unfortunately contracted pulmonary
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tuberculosis and was forced to leave Richmond in May, 1903, going to the mountains for his health. He died that fall. Doctor George W. Stockwell came to Richmond from San Pablo in the summer of 1901, practiced for about two years, when he succumbed to an attack of acute appendicitis. Doctor P. C. Campbell came to Richmond in the fall of 1901 and has been in continuous practice since that time. He has always been a very popular man. He was a member of Governor Par- dee's staff and had charge of the State medical aid during the earth- quake and fire in San Francisco. He served as assemblyman in this dis- trict in 1908, and was president of the County Medical Society in 1916. Doctor J. McI. Morrison came from Pinole to Richmond late in the fall of 1903 and enjoyed a good practice. He served as city health officer, remaining in Richmond until 1911, when he went to Portola. He died of cancer of the stomach in 1913. Doctor L. Goldschmidt located in Richmond for a few months in 1902, then moved to Los Angeles, where he now lives. Doctor U. S. Abbott and Doctor H. N. Barney came to Richmond on the same Santa Fe ferry-boat early in 1902. Doctor Ab- bott assisted Doctor Gorsuch in his practice for a few months, when he became ship surgeon on a German steamer and went to Germany. After spending a short time in German cities he returned to New York for short postgraduate work, and located in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he lived until 1908. He came to Richmond in 1908 and became associated with Doctor C. L. Abbott in establishing the Abbott Hos- pital. He has many friends and a good practice. Doctor Barney served as city health officer, and has always had an extensive practice. On ac- count of his cheerful personality, he is prominent in fraternal circles. Ill-health forced him to retire in 1916, a fact that is deeply regretted by his colleagues and many loyal friends. Doctor H. F. Worley assisted Doctor Gorsuch in his practice for a few months during his illness. Doctor C. L. Abbott moved from San Pablo to Richmond in the sum- mer of 1902, succeeding Doctor Gorsuch. He has served as surgeon for the Santa Fe Railroad Company since 1903, was a member of the com- mittee which secured the incorporation of the city of Richmond, has served as county coroner since 1907, and was a member of the board of freeholders which drafted the first city charter. Doctor C. R. Blake came in 1903, and at all times has had an extensive practice. He reor- ganized the city health department, and has given to the city of Rich-
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mond undoubtedly one of the best health departments of any city of its size. Doctor Blake since 1914 has been limiting his practice to eye, ear, nose, and throat work, being the first of Richmond's medical men to take up a specialty. Doctor L. K. Riley came to Richmond in 1903, has always had a good practice, and has found time to assist in the civic affairs of the city. Doctor W. B. Brown came to Richmond early in 1903, and published the Richmond Terminal newspaper. He has always been a good booster for the town. Dr. William S. Lucas arrived in Richmond in the fall of 1903. He has always been attentive and an efficient man in his work, has lived continuously in Richmond, and has an extensive practice. Doctor W. E. Cunningham came to Rich- mond in 1905. He has a splendid personality, is attentive and capable in his work, and is now one of the best-known men in Contra Costa Coun- ty. He built a fine business building on Macdonald Avenue in 1916. Doctor J. W. O'Brien located in Richmond in 1906, remained about one year, then moved to Sacramento, where he now lives. Doctor Mar- guerite Deininger-Keser came to Richmond as an assistant to Doctor C. L. Abbott in 1907, and after two years of associated practice with the latter, established her own office. She has always had a good prac- tice and many loyal friends. Doctor A. E. Byron came to Richmond in 1907 as a representative of the North American Hospital Association. He remained about eighteen months, and was succeeded by Doctor Thornburg, who remained about nine months. Doctor H. V. Prouty succeeded Dr. Thornburg in the Hospital Association, and established a private hospital on Twelfth Street, which he conducted for a short time. Doctor Prouty lived in Richmond about three years. Doctor L. A. Martin moved from San Pablo to Richmond in 1911, and was house physician to the Abbott Hospital until 1914, when he assumed a similar position with the Roosevelt Hospital and moved to Berkeley. Doctor Hall Vestal came to Richmond in the fall of 1910. He has an extensive practice, and has taken a considerable interest in the social and civic affairs of the city. Doctor R. Del Mas located in Richmond for a few months in the winter of 1911 and 1912. Doctor W. E. Caesar came to Richmond in 1912 and soon built up a very good practice. He estab- lished the Barrett Sanitarium in 1916, which he now conducts. Doctor H. T. Risdon in 1912 located in Richmond for a few months. Doctor S. M. Benner came in 1912 and remained one year. Doctor C. H. Wood-
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ruff, osteopath, located in 1913, and remained until 1916, when he moved to Napa. Doctor H. L. Carpenter came in 1913, and for the short time he has been here has a very big practice. He is well liked by his colleagues and has many loyal friends. Doctor W. W. Frazer came to Richmond in 1913, and has a good practice. Doctor J. B. Taylor located in Richmond for a few months in 1914. Doctor I. B. March came to Richmond in 1914 and established a good practice. He entered the U. S. Army Medical Reserve staff in 1916, and is now stationed at Mon- terey. Doctor C. H. Gibbons registered to practice in Richmond in 1914. Doctor H. N. Belgum established the Belgum Sanitarium in 1914 for the care of nervous diseases, and is medical superintendent of the same. In 1915 Doctor M. F. Underwood was located here for a few months.
RUST .- In 1911 Dr. Joseph T. Breneman located at Rust.
SAN PABLO .- About 1855 Doctor David Goodale came to San Pablo, settled on a ranch, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. His prac- tice of medicine was limited to that of his employees and neighbors. He died about 1885 in San Francisco. Doctor Jacob M. Tewksbury came from South America to San Pablo and bought a large tract of land, which he leased to tenants. He did not actively engage in the practice of medicine, and part of the time lived in San Francisco. He died in the early '70s. Doctor Kingsbury was the first man to devote his entire time to the practice of medicine. He located in 1868 and remained about four years. Doctor Dunbar came in 1870 and remained five years. Doctor O. B. Adams came from Oakland in 1876 and built up an extensive practice, later returning to Oakland, but continued to have a large prac- tice through the San Pablo country. Doctor Hatch also located in 1876, but remained only a short time. Doctor C. C. Kelley practiced for a few months in 1877. Doctor L. Wallendorff located here in 1878. He con- tinued his study of medicine at the California Medical College at Oak- land and had his original certificate canceled in April, 1880, registering as a graduate from the California Medical College. He remained in San Pablo about four years. Doctor Harwood came in 1880 and remained about one year. Doctor Bramman located in what is now Rust and practiced in the vicinity of San Pablo. Doctor Larkin came to San Pab- lo in 1884 and remained about two years. Doctor Smith practiced for a few months in 1885. Doctor John Gardner located in 1887 and remained
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about three years. Doctor C. E. Camp first came to San Pablo about 1891, where he continued to practice until 1899, when he moved to Hon- olulu. He returned to San Pablo again in 1908, where he has since re- sided. Doctor Camp has at all times had a very extensive practice throughout the San Pablo Valley, and is undoubtedly the best-known practitioner in this vicinity. Doctor J. McI. Morrison located in 1894, remained two years, and moved to Pinole. Doctor E. G. Bennett located in 1898, practiced two years, then moved to Petaluma. Doctor George W. Stockwell succeeded Doctor Camp in 1899, remained about eighteen months, then moved to Richmond. Doctor C. L. Abbott succeeded Dr. Bennett in August, 1900, remained eighteen months, then moved to Richmond. Doctor L. A. Martin succeeded Doctor Abbott in 1902, re- mained in San Pablo until 1911, when he moved to Richmond.
WALNUT CREEK .- The first physician reported to have been located in what is now Walnut Creek was Doctor Smith, about 1859. In 1868 Doctor Rowan was located at Bareges Springs, and practiced in the vi- cinity of Walnut Creek for about ten years. Doctor C. C. Kelley located here in 1877 for a short time. Doctor J. E. Pearson came in 1878. Doc- tor W. E. Hook, a brother of Supervisor Vincent Hook, after gradu- ating at the University of California, returned to Walnut Creek, where he practiced a short time. Unfortunately, Doctor Hook died at a very early age. Doctor E. E. Brown practiced here for a short time about 1880. Doctor W. F. Lynch came in 1885. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman was here from 1895 to 1897. Doctor C. R. Leech practiced here from 1897 to 1902. Doctor Fred Watt came in 1902 and remained until 1904. Doctor C. R. Leech returned to Walnut Creek in 1904 and has since that time made it his home. To think of Walnut Creek is to think of Doctor Leech, a man of excellent personality and exceptional ability. He has a very extensive practice throughout the San Ramon Valley. Doctor Charles Allen Stevens, osteopath, practiced for a short time in 1907. Doctor Carolyn C. Cole came in 1910 and devoted part of her time to the practice of medicine. Doctor Louise A. Oldenbourg, who is specializing in anesthetics, has made Walnut Creek her home since 1915.
HOSPITALS .- Prior to 1880 the Board of Supervisors awarded con- tracts to private persons for the board and care of indigent sick, the
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price of clothing and medicine and physician's bills not to be taken into consideration. These contracts were awarded for one year. On June 16, 1880, the board purchased lots 163-165 of the original survey of the town of Martinez, for the sum of $825, to be used as the site for the county infirmary. In 1881 the contract was let for the erection of three one-story buildings for hospital purposes, upon the county hospital grounds, according to plans and specifications prepared by E. W. Hiller. The contract was let to Lamb & Ferrie for $3225. In 1910, according to plans and specifications furnished by Architect Weeks, R. H. Ingra- ham, contractor, built the first wing of the present hospital, at a cost of about $40,000, and in 1914 the second wing was built, at a cost of $36,000. The hospital grounds contain seven acres. In 1910-II there were 298 patients admitted to the hospital; in 1915-16 there were 666 patients admitted. The hospital staff consists of a superintendent, a surgeon-in-chief, an assistant surgeon, a matron, and five graduate nurses. Statistics for the year ending June 30, 1916, are as follows : The average daily number of patients, 97.22 ; the average daily per capita cost, seventy-eight cents ; average daily number of employees, fifteen. Patients are admitted to the county hospital by permits from their su- pervisor. All classes of cases are admitted. Paid patients are charged for at the rate of fifteen dollars a week for room and board, including general nursing. The ward rates are ten dollars a week. Special nurse's board is fifty cents a day. The county hospital has juvenile detention and insane detention departments. W. H. Hough has been superinten- dent practically ever since the completion of the new building, in 1910, during which time he has been an efficient, capable manager, and estab- lished the first organized and regular system of accounting. The Her- cules Powder Company established an emergency hospital at Hercules in 1902, which has been continuously conducted. Doctor A. H. White established a private hospital at Valona in 1906, which he conducted for about two months. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman established a private hospital in Martinez in 1907, which he conducted for about six months. Doctor C. L. Abbott and Doctor U. S. Abbott established the Abbott Hospital in Point Richmond in 1908. This hospital had a capacity of twenty-five beds. Doctor L. A. Martin was medical superintendent. It was a general hospital until 1913, since which time it has been con- ducted only as an emergency hospital. Doctor George Mckenzie es-
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tablished an emergency hospital at Bay Point in 1909, of which he still has charge. Doctor Edward A. Diggins established the Valley Hospital at Antioch in 1911, which he conducted about one year. Miss Jeanie Craven established the Craven Hospital at Richmond in 1913, which she has continuously conducted. It is the largest general hospital besides the county hospital in the county. Doctor Blumenburg established the "A-B-C" Hospital at Walnut Creek in 1914. The Standard Oil Com- pany has a beautiful and complete emergency hospital at its refinery in Richmond, established in 1915. During the first year there were over four thousand patients treated at this hospital. Doctor Charles A. Dukes is surgeon-in-chief ; Doctor C. L. Abbott, Doctor U. S. Abbott, Doctor W. S. Lucas, and Doctor W. E. Cunningham are associate sur- geons. Miss N. Y. Frazer is nurse in charge, and Miss Lydiksen as- sistant nurse. Doctor W. E. Caesar established the Barrett Sanitarium in Richmond in 1916.
COUNTY PHYSICIANS .- The first county physician was Doctor S. J. Tennent, appointed April II, 1854. He served until February 8, 1872, when he was succeeded by Doctor Charles E. Holbrook. Doctor Hol- brook resigned August 5, 1874, and was succeeded by Doctor J. H. Carothers. Doctor H. Bernett succeeded Doctor Carothers August 4, 1880, and served until February 4, 1895. Doctor J. B. Tennent was then appointed and served until January 18, 1897. Doctor E. E. Brown was then appointed and held the position until February 1, 1897. He was then succeeded by Doctor J. B. Tennent, who served until November I, 1897, when he died. Doctor E. E. Brown was then appointed and served until January 3, 1903. Doctor A. W. Rickey succeeded Doctor Brown until March 6, 1911, when Doctor Edwin Merrithew was ap- pointed, and has served continuously since that time.
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICERS .- When Dr. J. H. Carothers was ap- pointed county physician in 1874 he also assumed the position of coun- ty health officer, which he held until 1882. Dr. H. Bernett, who was then county physician, was appointed health officer and served until 1895. From 1895 until June, 1897, there was a health officer appointed in each supervisor district. On June 1, 1897, Doctor Joseph T. Brene- man was appointed and served until July 8, 1904, when he was succeed-
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ed by Doctor George Mckenzie. Doctor W. S. George, of Antioch, was appointed September 5, 1905, and served until September 7, 1906, when his successor, Doctor J. W. De Witt, was appointed. Doctor Frank S. Gregory was appointed September 5, 1908, and served until September 5, 19II, when Doctor W. S. George was appointed to the position, which he has held continuously since that time.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF RICHMOND .- The first health officer ap- pointed in the city of Richmond was Doctor H. N. Barney, having been appointed November 27, 1905. He served until April 28, 1908, when he was succeeded by Doctor J. McI. Morrison, who served until July 6, 1909, when Doctor H. N. Barney was again appointed to the position of commissioner of health under the new charter. On March 6, 1910, he was succeeded by Doctor C. R. Blake, who has served continuously up to the present time. The sanitary requirements of the growing city have caused the health department to grow from one man, a single health officer without a city office, to the present force, which consists of a commissioner of health, a sanitary inspector, two assistant sanitary inspectors, a chemist, a market and meat inspector, and a stenographer. The department is active in every line that will benefit the health of its citizens. Vacant lots are kept clean of all rubbish, official fly-traps and rat-traps are in operation all over the city. Meat markets, vegetable markets, hotels, stores, stables, and back yards are regularly inspected. Milk is regularly tested in the city laboratory. All milk sold in the city is required to be pasteurized. Before this regulation was adopted there was an average every month of from one to five cases of typhoid fever in the city, but since the pasteurizing law went into effect, nine months ago, only one case of typhoid fever has been reported, and there has not been a single death from intestinal disease of any infant under one year of age. In 1908 several cases of bubonic plague were reported in Contra Costa County, and an investigation was conducted by the United States Public Health Service under Doctor Blue, surgeon in charge for the Pacific Coast District. Doctor Long had direct charge of the investi- gation in Contra Costa County. Upon examination of squirrels and rats it was found that the plague infection was prevalent in both. A cam- paign to make a free plague zone surrounding Contra Costa County and Alameda County was inaugurated, and thousands of squirrels and
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rats were destroyed. There have been found 1629 infected ground- squirrels. Six cases of plague have been reported in Contra Costa County, four of whom died.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY .- The Contra Costa County Medical So- ciety was first organized in June, 1877, with Doctor J. H. Carothers, president, and Doctor E. L. Wemple, secretary. Other members were Doctors H. V. Mott, John McFayden, John Leffler, Walter Hook, O. B. Adams, W. B. Bolton, and Edmund Bragdon, Jr. This society had meetings in the different towns of the county for six years, and finally went out of existence in 1884. The presidents were: J. H. Carothers, 1877; Edmund Bragdon, Jr., 1878; John Leffler, 1879; W. B. Bolton, 1880; O. B. Adams, 1881 ; Walter Hook, 1882; H. V. Mott, 1883. Doc- tor E. L. Wemple remained secretary during this entire period. In 1889 a reorganization took place in Martinez. Doctor Edmund Bragdon, Jr., was made president, and John B. Tennent became secretary. Other members were Doctors Frank Rattan, J. H. Carothers, H. G. Thomas, F. F. Neff, A. W. Rickey, F. S. Cook and W. S. George. This society lasted for only three years. The presidents were Doctor Edmund Brag- don, Jr., 1889; Doctor Frank Rattan, 1900; Doctor J. H. Carothers, 1901. Doctor John B. Tennent remained secretary. In 1902 the society was again brought into existence. Doctor Joseph T. Breneman, as presi- dent, and Doctor F. F. Neff, as secretary, were the officers for the first year. Other members were Doctors Frank Rattan, E. E. Brown, C. L. Abbott, A. W. Rickey, J. H. Carothers, F. S. Cook, Geo. Mckenzie, and W. S. George. This society died during the third year. Presidents were Joseph T. Breneman, 1902; E. E. Brown, 1903; Geo. Mckenzie, 1904. Dr. F. F. Neff remained secretary. The present society was formed in 1906. Doctor C. L. Abbott was elected president and J. W. Key sec- retary. Other members were Doctors Frank Rattan, Geo. Mckenzie, F. F. Neff, F. S. Cook, E. E. Brown, Joseph T. Breneman, W. S. George, A. W. Rickey, and J. H. Carothers. The presidents were C. L. Abbott, 1906; Joseph T. Breneman, 1907; Frank Rattan, 1908; F. F. Neff, 1909; C. R. Leech, 1910; C. R. Blake, 1911; H. N. Barney, 1912; W. S. George, 1913 ; U. S. Abbott, 1914 and 1915; P. C. Campbell, 1916. The secretaries were J. W. Key, 1906 to 1908; Frank Rattan, 1908 to 1912; E. B. Fitzpatrick, 1912 to 1916. Members at present (1916) are F. F.
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Neff, F. S. Cook, C. R. Leech, E. B. Fitzpatrick, J. H. Hammond, H. L. Carpenter, M. L. Fernandez, H. N. Barney, W. J. Caesar, C. R. Blake, Frank Rattan, Louise A. Oldenbourg, G. W. Sweetser, E. W. Merri- thew, G. M. O'Malley, C. E. Camp, P. C. Campbell, W. S. Lucas, A. W. Rickey, C. L. Abbott, U. S. Abbott, C. C. FitzGibbon, and F. P. Mc- Manus.
Hastala
CHAPTER XXII
BANKING
BY W. A. HALE
IN THE early history of Contra Costa County, before the organization of any regular bank, banking was more or less informally carried on by merchants and other private parties. This form of banking varied; in some cases the merchant having a safe was requested to keep a sack containing funds belonging to customers, and out of these funds he paid out money for the owner upon written order or otherwise.
In other cases he accepted the money and mingled it with his own, making use of it if needed in his business, being ready to meet orders drawn on him when presented. In some cases he allowed the owner a small amount of interest, and in some cases the care of the money was considered proper compensation.
Hale & Brother, general merchants in the town of Pacheco, was one of the firms doing this business. Wheat was very high and the farmers had large crops. They soon had plenty of money, and made a practice of asking William Hale, senior member of the firm, to loan their surplus funds on good mortgages. This business grew to such proportions that to avoid discrimination he began taking the money, allowing the owner a certain per cent, and loaning it out on his own account. With this be- ginning a bank was organized and incorporated on December 29, 1870, with a capital stock of $50,000, and under the incorporate name of the Contra Costa Savings & Loan Bank. The principal place of business was in the town of Pacheco, and the following men were named as directors : W. K. Dell, G. M. Bryant, John Gambs, Barry Baldwin, and W. M. Hale.
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