Alameda County
Biographies
CHARLES H. TOZER, M.D.
deceased, occupied a most prominent position in the ranks of his profession, and is known to thousands as a skillful, attentive and well-read physician, while regarded as an authority in the profession. He was born in the city of New York in the year 1801, but when an infant was carried to England, where he received his classical and medical education and began the practice of his profession. In the study of medicine he had the advantage of a hospital practice at Guy’s Hospital, London, under the celebrated Doctor Abernethy. In 1849 he started for California, but tarried while on the way at Panama to care for fever patients at that point, finally coming on to this State in 1850. In the early days he went with a party of fourteen to Shasta mines, but soon returned to Sacramento, where he practiced until after the great flood of 1861, when he removed to San Francisco, practicing there until his death, which took place June 29, 1880, at his residence in Oakland. His son, Charles F., whom the writer found hard at work improving the snug ranch of eighty acres perched on the summit of the divide between Conn and Napa valleys, was born in Oakland, May 11, 1872, and was proceeding with his education at Hopkins’ Academy and elsewhere, when he lost his health. For his benefit Mrs. Tozer purchased the present place two years ago, erected a cozy little house and has settled down to remain until the health of her son will permit a return to her comfortable home in Oakland. Meantime they are improving their place, which is one of great beauty and commands a view of wide range and great attractiveness, by planting out trees, vines, etc. Mrs. Tozer, whose maiden name was Miss E. J. Billings, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and came to California in 1862 to join her former husband, Mr. P. O. Valentine, who had preceded her here. Shortly after her arrival he died. In course of time she was married to Dr. Tozer, and is now his widow. Her family all reside at Medford, Massachusetts, a well-to-do and prominent family. She has one brother, Frank D. Billings, of Lathrop, in this State, the only relation on this coast. Dr. Tozer had a daughter by a previous marriage, who was the wife of the late Mr. McNeill, of Adams, McNeill & Co., of Sacramento.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
GEORGE E. ALEXANDER, M.D.
of Haywards, began his medical studies under the preceptorship of an eminent practitioner at Beloit, Wisconsin, and, taking the regular course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, he graduated in 1873. He accepted an appointment as physician in the Government service and came to the Pacific coast and filled his position as such under the command of Generals Davis and Howard, in the department of Columbia. He resigned this commission in 1875 and came to Gilroy, Santa Clara County, practiced for seven months, then followed his profession at San Ramon, in Contra Costa County, for a period of ten years, and finally, in 1886, he moved to Haywards, where he has already built up a lucrative practice.
He dates his birth October 15, 1847, in Pennsylvania. He enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and served as such until 1865, when he was mustered out. He then entered Beloit (Wisconsin) College, where he commenced his literary education. He then spent a few months on the Kansas and Colorado plains; then a year at Monmouth, Illinois, and then returned to Beloit, where he began his medical studies as already stated. He is the eleventh of thirteen children in his father’s family. His parents, Randall and Sarah (Carothers) Alexander, are both natives of the Keystone State, his father being born in Franklin County, in 1807. His paternal ancestors were from the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish extraction. His great-grandfather, Reynold Alexander, was one of the early settlers of Pennsylvania and served in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, William Alexander, was born in what is now Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and served as an officer in the war of 1812. Politically Dr. Alexander is Democratic and takes an active part in political matters. He is a member of Alamo Lodge, No. 122, of Walnut Creek, and of Oakland Commandery, No. 11, K. T. He was married at San Ramon, October 15, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Lynch, a native of California, and they have two children: Archie and Adele.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES G. COOPER, M.D.
Haywards, is an old practitioner of the regular profession. He was born June 19, 1830, in New York city. In 1840 his parents moved into New Jersey, where our subject completed his school studies. His father, William Cooper, was born in 1797, in New York, and was a farmer by vocation until he was appointed Associate Judge by the Governor of that State. He also served in the war of 1812, as an officer. He married Miss Mary Wilson, a native of Troy, New York, and they had six children, our subject being the first. The Doctor’s paternal grandfather was a native of Yorkshire, England; the ancestors on his mother’s side were also English, and came to America during the last century, some of them serving in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Cooper graduated in his profession at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, in 1851, and practiced in the city hospitals there two years. In 1853 he received an appointment from the Government and came to the Pacific coast as the physician of the surveying party of the Northern Pacific Railroad. He remained with this party until 1856, when he returned to New Jersey, and practiced his profession there until 1860, when he joined another expedition, accompanying 300 soldiers to the Pacific coast by way of Fort Benton and the northern line of forts, who left detachments at different points along the line. He wintered with the troops at Fort Mojave on the Colorado River, and then went to San Diego and thence to San Francisco. He volunteered and served as surgeon in the Second California Volunteer Cavalry, and served until 1865, when he resigned and came to Oakland, remaining one year. Then he practiced medicine in San Francisco until 1871, when his health became impaired and he moved south to Ventura County, where he followed agriculture until 1873. He then moved to East Oakland and remained there until 1875, when he finally settled in Haywards, where he has retired from active practice. He is a member of Haywards Lodge, No. 18, A.O.U.W., and of Clinton Lodge, No. 2019, K. of H., of East Oakland.
The Doctor was married at Oakland, January 9, 1866, to Miss Rosa M. Wells, a native of New York, and they have three children, namely: William W., Fannie S., and James S.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler