Los Angeles County
Biographies
HENRY WILLIAM BRODBECK, D. D. S.
For nearly four decades a leading representative of the dental profession in Los Angeles, Dr. Henry William Brodbeck was also closely identified with the citrus fruit industry and likewise made effective use of his energies in religious and welfare work. Born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, January 22, 1855, he was a son of George John and Eva Mary (Haas) Brodbeck, who were natives of Germany.
Dr. Brodbeck pursued his education in his native town until the completion of his high school course and then sent to Cincinnati where he enrolled as a student in the Ohio Dental College, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1880. Returning to the Hoosier state, he began his career as a dental surgeon in Aurora, where he spent ten years, and in 1890 came west to California, opening a dental office in Los Angeles. Here he followed his profession continuously for thirty-nine years, or until his death on June 23, 1929, rendering to his patients the services of an expert, and enjoyed a large practice. He established an enviable reputation as a dentist and for a number of years was connected with the University of Southern California as a member of the board of trustees. Keenly interested in California’s great citrus fruit industry, he developed a fine orange grove in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles county, and was a member of the Irwindale Citrus Association.
In Aurora, Indiana, June 29, 1892, Dr. Brodbeck was married to Miss Alnette Cheek, who was born there on the 5th of January, 1865, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mary who is the wife of Major Clarence E. Noerenberg, residing at 1751 Buckingham road, Los Angeles. Mrs. Noerenberg is one of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and was president of the local parlor for two terms.
Dr. Brodbeck gave his political support to the republican party, and shaped his conduct by the teachings of the Methodist Church, of which he was a devout member. By nature deeply religious, he founded the Newman Methodist Episcopal Church (now the Church of All Nations) in the Los Angeles. He was twice a delegate as Lay member to the general conference of Methodism, served for many years as president of the board of Sunday schools for the Southern California Conference, and was one of the organizers and for three years the first regular president of the California State Sunday School Association. He served as superintendent of the First Methodist Sunday School for thirty-five years. Dr. Brodbeck perfected an improved record system for Sunday schools and wrote numerous articles, which appeared in religious papers and magazines. He served as a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Church in Los Angeles for many years. His work in Sunday schools began at the age of eighteen when Dr. Brodbeck was made superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School in Indiana and he served continuously in that capacity in Los Angeles until his death. It has been stated that no one person has done as much to aid young people along religious lines in southern California as Dr. Brodbeck. He served on the board of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Los Angeles and was also active and a life member of the organization known as “We Boys.” He was also an associate member of the woman’s organization of the Methodist Church at the Palisades, Santa Monica, California. Ever loyal and patriotic in matters of citizenship, at the time this nation was engaged in the World war, Dr. Brodbeck gave to service men and their families free dental work one day in each week. His generous, sympathetic disposition prompted many unobtrusive acts of kindness and charity and many years will come and go ere his memory ceases to be a inspiration in the lives of those who knew him.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: California
of the South Vol. II, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
315-317, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Joyce Rugeroni.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES