Sacramento
County
Biographies
FREDERICK WINSLOW HATCH,
M.D.
Three years after the birth of Frederick Winslow Hatch---at Charlottesville, Virginia, March 2, 1821---Thomas Jefferson was devoting keen interest to founding the University of Virginia in that delightful little city. At three and a half years of age Frederick Hatch was being told of General Lafayette's visit to Thomas Jefferson and Charlottesville, and no doubt was held on his father's shoulder that he might see the two great men. Frederick lacked three months of being five years of age when Thomas Jefferson died and was laid to rest at his beloved Monticello, on a fine hill two miles from Charlottesville.
At Charlottesville and Monticello, Madison, or Monroe, and Jefferson ofttimes held their social and political tete-a-tetes. It seems probable the Rev. Hatch, an Episcopalian clergyman, through these contacts and this influence became Chaplain of the United States Senate, a position held for twelve years. Little is known of young Frederick's life during this period 'other than that he was of a genial disposition, quiet and retiring in his habits, and very studious.'¹
'His literary and classical education was obtained at Union College, Schenectady, New York. Here, we learn, he evinced such an aptitude for the acquisition of his education, and applied himself with such assiduity, especially in his classical studies, that he ranked among the first in a large class, and was graduated M.A., with honors, at the early age of nineteen.'²
'Having determined to study medicine,' continued Dr. Cluness, 'he at once repaired to the metropolis of the nation, where the largest opportunities were presented for the furtherance of his purpose, and entered the medical department of the New York University. Here his youthful mind fed upon the teachings of a Mott, a Draper, a Revere, a Post, a Payne, and a Bedford, fit educators of a worthy and noble pupil, and he was graduated M.D. March 10, 1844. While acquiring this part of his education, he has often told me with pride and in reverence, that the hopes which had been already warmed in his youthful heart first budded and blossomed, and here did the honey form in the fair expanding bud, whose fragrance this Society has had the good fortune to inhale.'
At Charlestown, South Carolina, June 12, 1844, Frederick Winslow Hatch married Sarah Rowland Bloom, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, who later resided in Charlestown. Shortly thereafter he began the practice of medicine in Beloit, Wisconsin, 'where he soon acquired an extensive and lucrative practice, and was regarded as being one of the most competent and reliable physicians.' Being at an age of adventure and solicitous of a wider field of usefulness he started West, accompanied by Mrs. Hatch and the children, arriving in April, 1853, aboard the Steamship Lewis. The Lewis, from Nicaragua, was wrecked off Duckworth Reef, Bolinas Bay, eighteen miles above the entrance to San Francisco. Wm. T. Sherman, a passenger, made his way to San Francisco and sent two vessels to the rescue. All passengers were saved.
Dr. Hatch began the practice of medicine in Sacramento, where he resided until his death. His first office was at 56 K street, and his dwelling at the corner of F and Eleventh streets. In 1854-'55 the office was removed to 46 K; in 1856, to Second, near K, east side; in 1857-8, to 7 Court block; and in 1868-9 to 128 J Street. In 1857-'58 the home was on 812 H Street, between Eighth and Ninth. In early days he was associated with Dr. J. F. Morse.
Dr. Hatch was elected to, and held, the office of Commissioner of Schools from April, 1854 until April, 1855; also Superintendent from April, 1855 to April, 1856, and was re-elected April, 1856. He was both City and County Superintendent of Schools and a member of the Board of Education. 'Those who are still living,' stated Dr. Cluness, 'and remember him in this capacity, bear willing testimony to his faithfulness of duty and his untiring efforts to promote education and have its importance thoroughly instilled into the hearts of the people.' 'The embryo of the high school was created May 22, 1855 when Dr. Hatch proposed that Dr. Wilson's History, astronomy, bookkeeping, Latin, French and Spanish be added to the course of study.'³
He was elected first President of the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, and re-elected for five successive terms. His value to the Society, the logic and exemplary diction to be found in his annual addresses, and his adroitness in handling events and men, all have been recited in the general history of Sacramento medicine. His actions stand as bulwarks of accomplishment.
When Sacramento's first City Board of Health was instituted (1862) Dr. Hatch was elected its first President. He served the Board for twenty-two years, and for eight years, from 1876 to 1884, was its Secretary. He was elected Secretary of California's State Board of Health March 3, 1876, and held this position until his death. The devotion shown, and exertion given, these two Boards of Health are memorials to Dr. Hatch's results. 'His reports to the Legislature are the best evidence of the wisdom of the Board (State) in their selection,' ... and these reports 'are monuments of his untiring zeal and energy, especially when considered in connection with the fact that they were written and compiled during the leisure intervals of a large and arduous practice.'4
He was an active member of the American Public Health Association, and lamented his physical condition forbade attending the St. Louis meeting just prior to his passing. He was, however, appointed a member of the Advisory Council at that meeting.
“Ill-grounded passions quickly wear away,
What's built upon esteem can ne'er decay.”
'For several years Dr. Hatch was Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Medical Department of the University of California, and from 1880 to 1884 was Professor of Hygiene in the same institution.'5
He was a member of the American Medical Association and during the last twenty-five years of his life contributed many valuable papers to that Association, mainly upon hygiene and kindred subjects. His many contributions to the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, the State Society and the Legislature all have been recited.
In and around the family circle Dr. Hatch spent his happiest moments. He was an indulgent, instructive and respected parent. The onerous duties of an active practice, obligations to the City and State Boards of Health, the American Public Health Association, the State Medical School, the local, State and National Medical Societies, and to many other outside influences, were not too great a weight to prevent being an affectionate and attentive parent. The daily surge of life's demands, with all their tenuous trials, never could upset the nobility of his family virtues. 'It was in the family circle he always appeared in full measure of his greatness and worth,' stated Dr. Cluness, 'and it was there, too, that he found true happiness and comfort.' Dr. Cluness' judgment of this character can be weighed with equity, and in factual tenor, for he was often a breakfast companion, was the family physician and advised Dr. Hatch over his years of physical infirmities and during the last illness. Breakfast was Dr. Hatch's approved time for entertaining guests. He loved music and devoted time to the flute. His sick calls were made by horse and buggy, driven by an old Irishman, called, by one newspaper, “Dr. Hatch's hitching post.”
To Dr. and Mrs. Hatch were born five children: Thurston Bloom, Frederick Winslow, Annie Louise, Frank Bloom and Henry Hinsdale. There were nine grand-children: Frederick Winslow, Margaret, Wm. Gretham, Francis Nelson, Katherine Hinsdale and Jeannette May Hatch, and Frederick Winslow Leslie and Ralph Livingston Blanchard.
Two sons, Thurston Bloom and Frederick Winslow, Jr., became doctors of medicine. Both, from early childhood, were reared in Sacramento. T. B. Hatch, M.D., practiced in San Francisco and died suddenly at the early age of 28 years. 'Dr. Hatch (T. B..Hatch) had a pulmonary difficulty a number of years ago, supposed to be incipient tuberculosis, but had recovered completely, with the exception of an occasional slight cough. He was a young man of superior attainments and of great promise, and a beloved center of affection among relatives and friends.'6 'His contributions to the “Coast Review” and “Medical Record” bear evidence of a mind well matured, and the flattering notice of them by the ablest critics, in and out of our profession, betokened for him in the near future, a National reputation.'7
Frederick Winslow Hatch, Jr., 'first followed engineering in the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad for two years, when, determining to enter upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he began reading in the office and under the direction of his father, while his college training was received in Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in which institution he was graduated in 1873.'8 After a few years practice in Sacramento Dr. Hatch, Jr., was appointed second assistant physician of the Napa State Insane Asylum. In 1889 he was elected Superintendent of Agnews State Asylum. In 1897 Governor Budd appointed him General Superintendent of State Hospitals under the new lunacy law. He continued to hold the position until 1921. He served the State for about forty-five years, and died February 24, 1924, at the age of 74 years.
The Hatch's were a family of doctors---F. W. Hatch, Sr., his brother, his two sons, and a grandson. Those not following the medical profession were distinguished citizens, serving themselves, their families and their countrymen with a commendatory regard. Mrs. Hatch, Sr. died at the family residence, 812 H Street, Sacramento, January 9, 1906.
Dr. F. W. Hatch, Sr. was a productive writer, giving preference to gynecological (diseases of women) and sanitary subjects. He wrote and spoke with a power and grace commanding reverent attention. 'His ability in the collection of statistics, his choice of words for the recording of his ideas, and the perspicuous arrangement of his sentences are models such as all may strive to imitate, but few, if any, possess or may even hope to acquire,' said Dr. Cluness. 'To him this faculty was inherent, yet cultivated to a degree of perfection which can rarely be obtained. In illustration let us revert to his address upon the reciprocal relations existing between our profession and the public, or to his “In Memoriam” when the lamented Curtis left us and laid in his silent tomb. Who will ever forget the beauty of diction, the chasteness of language, and the soul-stirring earnestness in which the lessons of truth and wisdom therein fell from his hallowed lips; and who that has ever read them but feels in his heart that this beautiful world of ours was rendered still more lovely because Dr. Hatch had lived.'
'Eight years prior to the beginning of Dr. Hatch's last illness he was attacked with a double pneumonia and came near losing his life. His recovery from this illness covered a long period; many of his close friends, conversant with his condition, felt he never regained his normal health. There was a premature development of age infirmities, it became more difficult for him to attend to his professional duties, and regretful whispers were not infrequently heard that ere long his familiar form would be dismissed from our streets.'9 A chronic cough persisted. In May, 1884, Dr. Hatch attended the meeting of the American Medical Association, in Washington, D.C., as well as that of the Public Health Association. On the journey through New York and Wisconsin he contracted a severe cold. Upon his return 'it was evident to all that he was seriously ill; examination of his lungs disclosed the existence of considerable solidification in the upper portion of each, and it became evident that was slowly succumbing to fibroid phthisis.'10
Withal, this kindly and gentle, affable and agreeable and beloved gentleman of medicine, in his enfeebled condition 'prepared and sent to the hands of the State Printer his Biennial Report as Secretary of the State Board of Health, which, although plainly manifesting the imperfections incident to his illness, will, nevertheless, be read with much interest, for it is his posthumous contribution to sanitary science, and bears evidence of his great usefulness and wonderful capacity for the work intrusted to his hands.'11 On October 16, 1884, at seven o'clock in the evening, Death, that son of Night, accepted Dr. Hatch's spirit.
_________________________________________________________
1 Memorial to Frederick
Winslow Hatch, by Dr. Cluness.
2 Ibid.
3 History of Sacramento County, Willis, p. 177.
4 Memorial, by Drs. Cluness, Oatman and Simmons.
6 Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal,
v. XVI. April, 1874, p. 572.
7 Minutes of the Society, June 16, 1874, p.
419-20.
8 A History of New California, L. H. Irvine, 1905,
v. I, p. 362-3
9 Dr. Cluness.
10 Ibid.
11 Dr. Cluness.
Transcribed
2-25-17 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
Source: “Memories,
Men and Medicine A History of Medicine In Sacramento, California by J. Roy
Jones, M.D., Pages 323-333. Publ. Sacramento Society for Medical
Improvement, 1950.
Golden Nugget
Library's Sacramento County