Frederick Winslow Hatch, M.D.
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Name: Frederick W. Hatch
Cause of death: senility
Death date: Feb 24, 1924
Place of death: Sacramento, CA
Birth date: 1850
Type of practice: Allopath
States and years of licenses: CA, 1876
Places and dates of practices: Sacramento, CA, 1873
Hospital affiliations: Agnew State Hospital, CA
Medical school(s): Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, 1873, (G)
Journal of the American Medical Association Citation: 82:1062
Dr. Frederick Winslow Hatch, of Sacramento, who has been a resident of California for more than half a century, has attained to an eminent position in his profession through the exercise of his native talents and acquired ability, and in recognition of his prominence he has been appointed for the second time by the governor of the state to the position of general superintendent of state hospitals.
Dr. Hatch, born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on the 4th of December, 1849, is a son of Frederick Winslow and Sarah R. Hatch, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New York. The Hatch family is of English origin and the first of the name in America cross the Atlantic during colonial days, settling in Massachusetts. Later generations of the family, however, removed to Virginia and there the grandfather of Dr. Hatch labored for the spiritual welfare of his fellow men as a minister of the Episcopal church, and later went to Washington, D. C., where he twice filled the part of chaplain of the United States senate. Dr. Frederick W. Hatch, Sr., became a practicing physician and in the year 1851 made his way to California, locating in Sacramento, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. He was not only active in his calling but took an active part in many public measures which promoted the general welfare of the county and state. He was secretary of the state board of health for a number of years, filling that position at the time his life's labors were ended. He was also a member of the Sacramento school board and putting forth effective effort, the result of which is still manifest in the present excellent school system of the city. It was owing to his efforts that the first high school building of Sacramento was erected, and his influence was likewise potent in other lines resulting to the good of the community. His family numbered five children: Thurston B., who died at the age of thirty-five years; Frederick W., of this review; Mrs. A. L. Blanchard; Frank and Henry.
It was in 1853 that Dr. Hatch, was brought to California, together with the other children of the family, the journey being made by way of the Nicaraguan route. Reared in Sacramento, he attended the public schools and then the high school of this city, continuing his studies until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he assumed the duties and cares of a business career.
He first followed civil engineering in the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad Company 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 collegiate training was received in Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in which institution he was graduated in 1873, his MD degree being at that time conferred upon him.
Dr. Hatch then returned to California and practiced for a few years in Sacramento. In 1879 he was elected second assistant physician of the Napa State Insane Asylum, remaining there until the fall of 1889, when he was elected superintendent of Agnew's State Asylum, filling that position in a most capable manner until 1897, when he was appointed by Governor Budd to the office of general superintendent of state hospitals under the new lunacy law, which had just gone into effect. He was reappointed by Governor Gage, and is now serving for the second term. His previous experience as superintendent of asylums for the insane, added to his comprehensive and accurate general knowledge of medicine and surgery, well qualified him for the position, and his course is one which has given eminent satisfaction t the public, the profession and the administration.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of Dr. Hatch and Miss Florence Folansbee, a native of California and a daughter of one of the pioneer residents of northern California, who located in the state when it was the scene of wild mining excitement and when the commercial and industrial activity for which it is now famous had scarcely been instituted. Dr. Hatch and his wife have one daughter.
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HATCH, Frederick Winslow, physician, born in Charlottesville, Virginia, 2 March. 1822; died in Sacramento, California, 10 October, 1885. He was graduated at Union college in 1841, and in medicine at the University of New York in 1843. He removed to Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1846, and in 1851 to Sacramento, California, where he was professor of materia medica, and afterward of the principles and practice of medicine, in the University of California. Dr. Hatch was a trustee, and from 1868 until his death president, of the Medical association of California, permanent secretary of the State board of health, and in 1862-'6 president of the board of health of Sacramento. He wrote numerous papers on the climate of California, and the medical springs of that state.
Edited Appletons Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM
