California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


  OSCAR WILLIAM STEINWAND, M. D. Talented, trustworthy, and well versed in medical lore, 
Oscar William Steinwand, M. D., of Selma, is especially adapted for his professional calling. As a 
general practitioner he has attained marked success, and during the comparatively brief time 
that he has been located in this city has won a generous patronage and gained the respect and 
esteem of the community. Of German ancestry, he was born May 12, 1869, in Chicago, Ill., a son 
of Joseph Steinwand. 

A native of Wurtemberg, Germany, Joseph Steinwand grew to manhood in the fatherland, 
living there until 1850. Emigrating in that year to the United States, he followed his trade of 
carpenter and builder in many of the prominent cities of the Union, including New York, 
Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans, being also engaged to some extent as a millwright. 
Returning from New Orleans to Chicago, he remained in that city until 1875, when he came to 
California, locating in Oakland as a contractor and builder. On January 19, 1881, he bought a 
raisin vineyard in Fresno count}', four and one-half miles east of the city, and has since been 
successfully employed in its improvement and management. He married Elise Munch, a native 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and they became the parents of four children, of whom Oscar 
W., the subject of this biographical sketch, is the second child. 

Acquiring the rudiments of his education in the primary schools of Chicago, Oscar William 
Steinwand came with his parents to this state, living first in Oakland and later in Fresno, in these 
places continuing his studies. Entering Cooper Medical College in 1893, he studied there two 
years, and was then engaged in hospital work in San Francisco and Fresno for one year, in 1897 
being graduated from the Cooper Medical College with the degree of M. D. Locating in Fresno, 
Dr. Steinwand remained there until June, 1898, when he removed to San Francisco, where he 
continued the practice of medicine for one year. Coming to Selma in 1901, the doctor has here 
built up a large and lucrative general practice, his skill and professional knowledge being known 
and appreciated. He is a close student, and in 1903 took special instruction in bacteriology and 
pathology in San Francisco, perfecting himself still further in the science of medicine. He has a 
finely equipped office, in which, among other valuable instruments and machines, is a sixteen-
plate X-ray machine. 

In San Francisco, Dr. Steinwand married Louise E. Storz, a native of New Jersey, and they have a 
daughter, named Grace. The doctor is now serving as city health officer, as such performing the 
duties devolving upon him most faithfully. He is a member of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science; of the California Medical Society; of the Fresno County Medical 
Society : of 'the San Joaquin Medical Society; and of the American Medical Association. In 
politics he is independent, voting according to the dictates of his conscience, regardless of party 
prejudice. In his religious views he is broad and liberal, and is a valued member of the Unitarian 
Church. Fraternally, the doctor is a. member of Selma Lodge No. 277, F. &. A. M. ; of Selma 
Lodge, I. O. O. F. ; of the Woodmen of the World ; and of the Foresters of America.