Nevada
County
Biographies
WILLIAM B. OFFICER, M. D.
The indulgence of prolix encomium
upon a life which is eminently one of exceptional modesty would be palpably
incongruous, even though the record of good accomplished, of kindly deeds
performed and of high relative precedence attained might seem to justify the
utterance of glowing eulogies. The
subject of this review is a man who stands “four-square to every wind that
blows,” who is possessed of marked ability and who is vitally instinct with the
deeper human sympathies, and yet who in his useful career avoided everything in
the nature of display or notoriety; and in this spirit would the biographer
wish to have his utterances construed.
The Doctor was born in Harrison
County, Missouri, on the 13th of December, 1865, and is the fourth
in order of birth in a family of nine children, whose parents were William H.
and Martha (Enloe) Officer. The father was a native of Ohio and during
his childhood removed to Missouri with his parents. He there learned the carpenter’s trade and
for many years followed contracting and building. He served with distinction throughout the war
of the Rebellion, holding the rank of orderly-sergeant in a regiment that was
connected with the Federal forces. Later
in life he studied pharmacy and became a druggist. His wife is a native of Missouri and in that
state they are still living.
During his early boyhood William B.
Officer pursued his education in the public schools and was also instructed by
private tutors. He entered upon his
business career in the capacity of clerk in a mercantile establishment, and
while thus engaged began reading medicine.
He pursued his lecture course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons
of St. Louis, and was graduated in that institution in 1892, receiving the
third prize for scholarship in a class of one hundred and five. After a brief clinical experience the Doctor
returned to McFall, Missouri, and practiced there for
a time, and then came to the Pacific coast, locating near Jacksonville, Oregon,
in the extreme southern part of the state.
After practicing there for about five years, the Doctor came to Grass
Valley and at this writing holds the position of county health officer and is
also a member of the city board of health.
He enjoys likewise a large private practice, his skill and ability being
widely recognized.
In southern Oregon, on the 2nd
of June, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Officer and Miss Cora E.
Brown, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in Oregon. They now have one daughter, Allison. In politics the Doctor is a Republican, and
socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World,
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Foresters of America, in each of
which he is the examining physician. He
is also an assistant examining physician of the Pennsylvania Mutual Life
Insurance Company. He holds high rank in
the social and professional circles and is widely and favorably known in the
community in which he makes his home.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 461-462. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Nevada County Biographies