Contra Costa County Biography

MANUEL LAWRENCE FERNANDEZ, M. D.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


who is actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Pinole, is 
recognized as an able representative of the profession, who ever keeps in touch 
with the most advanced methods and discoveries. His birth occurred July 13, 
1876, his parents being Bernando and Carlota (Cuadra) Fernandez. Bernando 
Fernandez, one of Pinole's most prominent citizens, a capitalist and real-estate 
owner, was born in Portugal, November 15, 1828. He was reared in his native 
land, but at thirteen years of age he went to Brazil and remained in that 
country for some time, coming to New York in 1850. In 1853 he came to 
California, landing in San Francisco. He mined for some months, after which he 
sailed on the bay for some time. Subsequently he became owner of a schooner and 
carried provisions and freight from Pinole to San Francisco. He sold his boat 
and bought another, which he operated until 1856. Later he engaged in the 
mercantile business in Pinole until 1894. He also engaged in the hay and grain 
business on a very large scale and erected several large warehouses. As his 
financial ability increased he invested in real estate in Pinole, San Francisco, 
Oakland, and Martinez; in the latter town the Martinez Hotel was a part of his 
possessions. In 1894 he erected his handsome residence in Pinole. Mr. Fernandez 
was united in marriage to Carlota Cuadra, and they became the parents of six 
children. Fraternally, Mr. Fernandez was a Mason, a member of the Martinez 
lodge, and a Royal Arch Mason. He died on May 12, 1912. Doctor Manuel Lawrence 
Fernandez was educated in the public schools and in Berkeley Gymnasium, 
graduating in 1895. He then entered the University of California, where he took 
up medicine and graduated from that department in 1900, receiving the degree of 
M. D. Subsequently he removed to New York, where he entered the Willard Parker 
Hospital, and from 1901 to 1903 he studied in Berlin and Vienna. Returning to 
San Francisco, he became identified as a practicing physician, remaining here 
until the fire in 1906, when he removed to Pinole, where he has since resided 
and practiced his profession. Doctor Fernandez has served as health officer for 
the town of Pinole for some time, and is a member of the State Lunacy Commission 
from Contra Costa County. He is a member of the County and State Medical 
Society, and also a member of the Society for Prevention of Tuberculosis. 
Fraternally, he is affiliated with the B. P. O. E. Politically, he is a 
Republican. Doctor Fernandez holds the position as physician and surgeon for the 
Hercules Powder Company, and also for the Union Oil Company. He holds to high 
ideals, not only in professional service, but in citizenship and in social 
relations, and his sterling manhood has gained for him the warm and enduring 
regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California," Elms Publ. Co., 1918, 
pp. 451-452