Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLIAM FRANCIS BOOTH

One of the most ardent champions of the science of chiropractic was the late Dr. William Francis Booth, of Sacramento, whose death occurred March 12, 1924. Not only was he a highly successful member of his profession, with an extensive clientage, but he labored in the interests of his work in legislative halls and in every other manner to overcome the barriers placed in its path during the first years. Dr. Booth was born at Mission Santa Fe, California, February 19, 1863, and was a son of C.H. and Elizabeth Markey (McCarthey) Booth. The father was an old resident of Vallejo, California, and was a shipbuilder at Mare island. He came to California about 1850. His wife was a native of New York city.

Dr. Booth was educated in the public schools of Vallejo, and later took a business course. He first engaged in general merchandising for himself at Crockett, across San Francisco bay from Vallejo, and in this business he remained for fourteen years. He then sold out, and entered Dr. McCormick’s Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, after which he took his course in chiropractic in the noted Palmer School. After completing his studies, he immediately obtained a license to practice, and was the first chiropractor, also the first to practice neuropathy, in Sacramento, California. When he came to this city, he was a well-to-do man, but through his strenuous efforts in behalf of his profession he not only broke down in health, but used practically all of his financial resources. He was charitable and religious, and did much along these lines which he never made known. He fought for the welfare of chiropractic unremittingly, and appeared before the various legislatures in its behalf. He belonged to all of the associations in connection with the profession. In politics he was a republican, and in his fraternal affiliations was a Knight Templar Mason, and Odd Fellow. His religious connection was with the Methodist Church.

On November 24, 1897, Dr. Booth was united in marriage to Mary E. Thomas of Sutter Creek, Amador county, California. Mrs. Booth’s family were early settlers of this state. Her father was foreman of the old Kennedy mine, the deepest in the world. Dr. and Mrs. Booth became the parents of four children: George, who married Myrtle Scott, and has a daughter, Hattie Jean; William E.; Muriel E.; and Ardis, who is the wife of L.A. Curtis.

In addition to his immediate family Dr. Booth is survived by two sisters and two brothers, namely: Margaret A. Booth, Mrs. A.W. Carr of Oakland, N.S. Booth of Harbin Springs, and Dr. E.F. Booth of Los Angeles, California.

Transcribed by Debbie Walke Gramlick.

Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley California, Vol. 2 pgs. 348-349. The Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.

Sacramento County Biographies