San Bernardino County
Biographies
ALBERT E. PHELAN, M. D.,
one of the leading physicians of San Bernardino County, and a representative of the progressive school of medicine, was born in Montreal thirty-two years ago; he was graduated at the University of Bishop's College in that city in 1886, and the following year was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Quebec, having had charge during the years l886–'87 of the Western Hospital as house surgeon. He came to San Bernardino in September, 1887, and immediately settled in practice, forming a partnership with Dr. C. G. Campbell, a prominent old physician of the city, which continued until Dr. Campbell retired from practice, when Dr. Phelan succeeded to the large professional business of the firm. In January, 1887, Dr. G. B. Rowell came on from Montreal, at Dr. Phelan's solicitation, and upon his arrival the present partnership of Phelan & Rowell was formed. This enterprising firm enjoys an extensive and lucrative private practice among the best families of the city and vicinity. The major portion of the surgical work of the county is done by this firm.
They are examining surgeons for the following life insurance companies; the New York Life, the Union Central of Cincinnati, the Bankers' Alliance of Los Angeles, the Bankers' and Merchants' of San Francisco, the Mutual Reserve Fund of New York, and the Pacific Mutual of San Francisco. They are also examining surgeons for the societies: Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Foresters, Royal Arcanum, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Dr. Rowell is the local surgeon for the Santa Fé Railroad Company. They are both members of the San Bernardino County Medical Society, and of the Southern California Medical Society. Dr. Rowell was graduated at McGill University, Montreal, in 1884; the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Quebec, in 1885; and at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, England, in 1886. He practiced in Montreal until starting for California. Besides his general practice he devotes special attention to the treatment of the eye and ear.
Both in the full vigor of manhood and educationally equipped for their chosen profession, they have a future of great promise before them.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 581-582
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
WILLIAM JESSE CURTIS,
attorney at law in San Bernardino, is the oldest son of Hon. I. C. Curtis and Mrs. Lucy M. Curtis. His father was for many years a prominent member of the bar of Marion County, Iowa, and represented that county for several terms in the State Legislature. His mother is the daughter of Jesse L. Holman, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana, and a sister of Hon. William S. Holman, now a distinguished member of Congress from that State. Mr. Curtis was born at Aurora, Indiana, on the 2d day of August, 1838. In 1844, he moved with his parents, to the then Territory of Iowa, and settled in Marion County, near the present city of Pella. The Central University of Iowa was afterward located at Pella, and Mr. Curtis attended that institution for several terms. He read law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in 1863, and immediately became a partner with his father in the practice of his profession.
In 1861 he married Miss Frances S. Cowles, a daughter of Leonard H. Cowles, of Delaware, Ohio. In 1864 he crossed the plains with ox and mule teams, came to California and settled in San Bernardino, where he has resided ever since. The first few years after his arrival in California, he devoted to teaching school. After this he engaged in farming for several years, but as a practical farmer he was a signal failure, though he still insists that he knows how a farm should be conducted. During all these years Mr. Curtis cherished the idea of at some time returning to his chosen profession—the practice of law—but, owing to his financial condition and to the small amount of legal business in this county at that time, and to the further fact that there were more than a sufficient number of old and experienced lawyers then in practice in the county to attend to all the business therein, he hesitated to enter the race with these gentlemen who had already established reputations as safe and reliable lawyers. He decided, however, during the latter part of the year 1871, to again practice law, and on the 1st day of January, 1872, in connection with Judge A. D. Boren, he opened a law office in the city of San Bernardino. Clients came slowly, but his business gradually grew. In 1873 he was elected District Attorney of San Bernardino County, and was re-elected in 1875. After the expiration of his second term as District Attorney, he formed a partnership with Hon. H. C. Rolfe, which continued until September, 1879, when Mr. Rolfe was elected Superior Judge. On the 1st day of October, 1879, Mr. Curtis formed a partnership with Hon. John W. Satterwhite, which continued until October, 1884, when Mr. Satterwhite retired from practice on account of ill health, and shortly after died. Mr. Curtis continued the business alone until February, 1885, when, finding that he had a larger practice than he could well attend to, he entered into partnership with George E. Otis, Esq., and this firm is one of the most prominent and reliable in Southern California. Mr. Curtis has been connected with most of the important litigation that has arisen in San Bernardino County during the last ten years. He is a director of the First National Bank of San Bernardino, and vice president of the San Bernardino and Redlands Railroad Company. He has always taken an interest in educational matters, and has served as a member of the City Board of Examination and chairman of the City Board of Education.
He has a modest but pleasant home in the city of San Bernardino, and enjoys the respect and confidence of those who know him best.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 582-583
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler