Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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



DR. J. J. VAN MALE
 
The entire life work of Dr. J. J. Van Male has been of a constructive character, 
not only in the promotion of his individual interests, but in those activities 
which are of greatest benefit and value to the community, State, and nation.  He 
was born at Uzendyke, Holland, August 8, 1858, the eldest son of John and Nellie 
(Acreman) Van Male.  At the age of sixteen, he left his native country for 
America.  His knowledge of English was very limited, but his determination to 
win out in the New World was strong within him.  He soon found work at odd jobs; 
and later he entered the Madison Center Academy, and afterwards studied for two 
years at Marion College, at Marion, N.Y.  In 1882 he decided to try his luck in 
the West, and arrived in Los Angeles during �boom times�; he spent two years in 
that city, and then removed to San Francisco, where he worked at laying brick, 
and at carpenter work and other jobs to earn his living.  He also spent some 
time at Sacramento, Dixon and Vacaville, until he had saved sufficient money to 
enter the California Medical College in San Francisco.  In December, 1887, he 
was graduated from this institution with the degree of M.D.  His first 
experience in the practice of his profession was as assistant to the health 
officer in San Francisco, a position he filled with satisfaction for two years, 
after which he removed to Bieber, in Lassen County, and for five and a half 
years conducted a drug store, as well as practicing his profession.  On account 
of the severe winters in this mountain region, he sold out and settled at 
Honcut, Butte County, where he again engaged in business until 1897, when he 
removed to Challenge, Yuba County.  From 1912 to 1918, Dr. Van Male was 
superintendent of the Yuba County Hospital and Farm.
Dr. Van Male has been twice married; and by his first wife there were two 
children, both now residing in San Francisco.  In March, 1923, he suffered the 
misfortune of losing his home by fire, when his stock of medicines and his 
instruments were also a total loss.  Dr. Van Male has been untiring in his 
devotion to his profession, and his efforts in behalf of suffering humanity have 
served to make him well-known throughout the mountain regions of Yuba and Butte 
Counties.  He is public-spirited and in all things loyally devoted to the 
general welfare.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
 
p 656