Alameda County Biographies

Charles Lewis Tisdale

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
 
        Dr. Charles Lewis Tisdale, prominent in medical circles of Alameda as a representative 
and successful physician and surgeon and widely and favorably known in official life of 
Alameda county by reason of his remarkable record in the office of county coroner, was born in 
Auburn, New York, June 2, 1858. Following the completion of a course in the public schools of 
Elmira he entered Wesleyan College at Lima, New York, and subsequently enrolled in the 
University of Michigan.
	Later he moved to California, but, having decided to follow the medical profession, he 
returned east, entering the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated 
with the degree of M. D. in March, 1878. He was at that time not yet twenty-one years of age 
and could not legally begin active practice. However, the fact that he was in every other way 
fully qualified to engage in professional work was in itself a good evidence of his ability 
and comprehensive knowledge of the science of medicine. Shortly after his graduation Dr. Tisdale 
received an appointment from the Hawaiian government as government physician on the island of 
Hawaii in which capacity he served with credit and ability for five years. Upon his return he 
determined to pursue his medical studies further and accordingly went to New York city and took 
a post-graduate course in the New York Homeopathic Medical College. It was with this exceptional 
equipment that he came to Alameda and engaged in the practice of medicine, and his time has been 
occupied with the work of his profession since. He possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the 
underlying principles of medicine and keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought 
along professional lines through constant reading, study and research. His patronage has 
increased steadily, and his skill and ability have become more widely recognized. Dr. Tisdale 
was a member of the board of medical examiners for twenty consecutive years, holding the record 
for length of continuous service on that board. In addition to this he has been treasurer of 
the California State Homeopathic Society for the past twenty years and was professor of 
pyhsiology [sic] and of theory and practice at the Hahnemann Medical College of San Francisco 
until 1901.
        In Schoharie, New York, in October, 1884, Dr. Tisdale married Miss Emma Krum, and they 
have become the parents of three daughters: Mrs. E. L. Varney, Mrs. Paul Gardiner and Ruth, all 
graduates of the Alameda high school.
        Dr. Tisdale gives his political allegiance to the republican party and as a progressive 
and public-spirited citizen he has taken a very active part in public affairs. In 1906 he was 
elected county coroner of Alameda county and has served by reelection since that time. During 
the period of his service he has held over two thousand inquests personally, and the work of the 
office has been so vastly increased that it now requires eleven deputies to handle the business. 
Notwithstanding this the affairs of the department have been thoroughly systematized and are 
conducted without friction or confusion.  In 1890 Dr. Tisdale consented to act as a member of 
the board of education in the city of Alameda, holding this position for eight years, during two 
of which he served as president of the board. He received the appointment of United States 
pension surgeon in 1898, resigning this office after eleven years on account of pressure of 
other business. He was also for seven years physician for the county jail and in addition to 
these various positions of responsibility has been chairman of the congressional committee of 
the third congressional district for many years. He is president of the Bank of Fruitvale, a 
reliable and growing institution. His fraternal connections are important as he is past exalted 
ruler of Oakland lodge, No. 171, B. P. O. E., and holds membership in the Oak Grove Lodge of 
Masons and several other organizations and clubs. In all professional, personal and official 
relations he has held steadily to high and pure ideals and has won the confidence and esteem of 
a wide circle of friends.
 
Past & Present of Alameda County, California � Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 510