Santa Clara County
Biographies
FRANK
W. KNOWLES, M. D.
FRANK W. KNOWLES, M.
D. In the professional, social and political circles of Santa Clara county
Frank W. Knowles, M. D., occupies a place of prominence and
influence, and as county supervisor is rendering excellent and most
satisfactory service. As a man of broad thought and liberal mind, honest and
courageous in the expression of his convictions, he is deservedly popular with
all classes of people, and has won to a marked extent the confidence and esteem
of the community. A native of Illinois, he was born March 2, 1858,
near Port Byron, Rock Island county.
The doctor’s father,
Smith S. Knowles, was born and reared in Ohio, where he learned the trade of a
ship carpenter, and for several years worked as a boat builder. Removing to
Illinois he became an early settler of Rock Island county, and was there
successfully employed as a tiller of the soil until his death. He married
Mary C. Crooks, who was born in Virginia, and died in Los Gatos, Cal.
Of the eight children born of their union all are living, and two of the sons,
Frederick and Frank W., reside in Los Gatos, Cal.
After completing his
studies in the district schools of Rock Island county Frank W. Knowles entered
the high school at Moline, Ill., where he was graduated in 1880. Immediately
beginning the study of medicine with Dr. L. D. Dunn of Moline he
entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., in September, 1880, and in
February, 1883, was graduated from that institution with the degree of
M. D. In June, 1883, Dr. Knowles came to California with a view to
settling here permanently, and July 20 of that year opened an office in
Los Gatos, and has since been here successfully engaged in the practice of
medicine and surgery. In the discharge of his professional duties the doctor is
untiring, prompt and eminently faithful, and is well worthy of the
distinguished success that he has achieved in his conception and treatment of
diseases of all kinds. For the past ten years he has been secretary of the Los
Gatos board of health, and has proved himself a capable and efficient officer.
In 1899 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for county supervisor from
the fifth district for a term of four years, and, having been elected by a majority
of two hundred and fifty-three votes, took the oath of office in January, 1900.
In Los Gatos, Cal.,
Dr. Knowles married Sabra A. Roberts, who was born in
San Mateo county, Cal. Her father, Jack J. Roberts, was a pioneer
farmer of San Mateo county, but afterward removed to Santa Clara county, and
was engaged in fruit raising, having a fine orchard near Los Gatos. He died at
his farm home about ten years ago. Politically Dr. Knowles is a warm
supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally he is past master of Los Gatos
Lodge No. 292, F. & A. M.; of Harvard Chapter
No. 14, R. A. M., of San Jose; of San Jose Commandery,
K. T.; of Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco; and medical
examiner of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Foresters; and belongs to
the Knights of Pythias. He was formerly an Odd
Fellow, but demitted from his lodge. The doctor is also a member of the Santa
Clara County Pioneers’ Association, and of the local board of trade.
Mrs. Knowles is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard
04 May 2015.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 559. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Marie
Hassard.