JOSEPH ROTHSCHILD is a native of this State, without other resources than those inherent in himself has built for himself a professional name and standing in the metropolis of San Francisco that any man might feel proud of. For doing this, and from holding aloof from the toils so freely spread for the young men in his youthful days in San Francisco, he is certainly worthy of all credit. Mr. Rothschild is himself the architect of his own position, and there is certainly more honor in the building there fore than if his career had been cut out for him by wealth or fortuitous circumstances in the beginning. He was early sent to our public schools and passed through the different grades, after which he entered the State University. After graduating there he went to Yale College, where he took his degree in 1873. At Yale, Mr. Rothschild enjoyed great popularity with the students and professors, so much so, indeed, that the scales of justice was awarded him. This unique president is peculiar to Yale, we believe, and is given at the close of the term to the most popular man. Mr. Rothschild graduated at Yale with honors. His class was composed of bright men, many of whom have since made an honorable mark; as Charles R. Whedon, present Mayor of New Haven; Judge Pickett, Associate Judge City Court, New Haven; M. F. Tyler, member of the State Commission to revise the system of taxation, Connecticut; C. F. Bollman, City and County Coroner and Chief of Police, New Haven; J. C. Cable, ex-City Attorney, New Haven; T. H. Dewey, author of "Contracts and Future Delivery," of the firm of Dewey and Burch, New York; E. J. Edwards, the New York "Suns" Washington correspondent, and others.
On his return to this State, Mr. Rothschild was admitted to the practice of his profession by the Supreme Court, after which he became and has since been continuously engaged. For a time he was with Stanly, Stony & Hayes. He has devoted himself almost entirely to his commercial practice, and in this has had charge of some of the most important cases tried here. Commercial law he has thoroughly mastered, but nevertheless he goes exhaustively into the details of every case in which he is retained. To this mastery he adds a thorough logical reasoning before a court or judge; use plain, terse English, and divests his language all flowers of oratory. He in fact is blunt and forcible, in this is eloquent. Hence he has been successful. He is now the advocate for some of the most important interest in mercantile houses of this city.
Mr. Rothschild belongs to many leading organizations. He is Past President of the Independent Order Free Sons of Israel; Passed President Unity Lodge, I. O. B. B.; Past President Golden Shore Council No. 5, United Friends of the Pacific; ex-Vice-President Young Men's Hebrew Association; Past President Board of Relief, I. O. B. B., and the present Vice-President of the Harmonic Club. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He is also the Past Grand President of the Independent Order B'nai Birth. He lately attended the International Convention as a delegate from the District Grand Lodge here. This was held at Richmond, Virginia. He was elected there Judge of the Court of Appeals for this coast, which necessitated his resigning as a Judge of the District Court of California two months after his election. This body is certainly representative of the wealth and intellect of our Hebrew citizens, and his election gave evidence of his standing. The favor with which he is regarded by his own people is the very best test of his integrity. In politics Mr. Rothschild has always been a consistent Democrat. He was elected School Director three years ago, and the flattering vote he then received shows his popularity. Last time he virtually declined. In the board he was Chairman of the Salary Committee, and Rules and Regulations Committee, where he settled all questions of dispute.
On his return from the East, Mr. Rothschild was elected a delegate to the Democratic Convention at San Jose. There he was elected a member of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco" Volume I. Lewis Publishing Company 1892. Page 429.
Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.
© 2002 Nancy Pratt Melton