Contra
Costa County
Biographies
JOHN
WALLACE DEWITT, M.D.
J. WALLACE DEWITT, M.D. Not alone in Antioch, where he has his office
and residence, but also throughout the entire northeastern part of Contra Costa
county, Dr. DeWitt has established a professional practice based upon
confidence in his skill as a physician and integrity as a man. The talents he possesses are such as to
especially adapt him for successful practice in the science of medicine.
Thoroughly devoted to Antioch and a
patriotic citizen of California Dr. DeWitt has made his home on the coast
since eighteen years of age. He was born
in Sullivan county, Mo., January 26, 1869. In childhood he was given such advantages as
the family means permitted, it being the desire of his father, Joseph DeWitt, that he should be prepared for life’s
responsibilities by the foundation of a good education. After completing the studies of the State
Normal School he came to California in 1887 and settled in San Francisco. The first employment he secured was that of
clerk in a drug store. While thus
occupied he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine, for he had
already determined to become a physician and surgeon. His salary as clerk was carefully saved until
he had accumulated enough to render possible a thorough course of study in the
Cooper Medical College, where he matriculated in 1889 and from which he was
graduated in 1892. For some years after
graduating he engaged in practice in San Francisco, where he established a reputation
for skilled treatment of diseases of the ear, eye, nose and throat. In 1898 he opened an office in Antioch,
where, in addition to and connected with his general practice, he has conducted
a drug business. For that purpose he
bought a building centrally located, remodeled and enlarged the same, and
fitted it up for a drug store in front, with consultation parlor and operating
room in the rear. Besides owning this
building he has acquired a comfortable home in Antioch.
The marriage of Dr. DeWitt united
him with Mrs. Nettie (Chase) Barnum, who was born in Antioch and is a daughter
of John G. Chase. The children of
their union are named Donald and Melba.
Dr. DeWitt’s tastes have never led him into politics or public
life, and aside from serving as city trustee he has held no official positions. Yet he has not been neglectful of his duty as
a citizen, but has aided in movements for the progress of town and county. Journals of a professional nature receive his
support and he is thoroughly in touch with developments made in therapeutics,
desirous of keeping pace with the growth of the science, yet cautious in
adopting new discoveries until their value has been proved beyond
question. The Contra Costa County
Medical Society numbers him among its members, and he also acts as examining
physician for the Independent Order of Foresters and other organizations with
which he is associated. In Masonry he is
connected with the blue lodge, chapter and Eastern Star. He is also a member of the ancient Order of
United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, and his wife is associated with the Rebekahs and the Eastern Star.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 931-932. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.
Contra Costa County Biographies