Daily Alta California, Volume 84, Number 6, 6 January 1891 — DR. JACOB REGENSBURGER. [ARTICLE]

DR. JACOB REGENSBURGER.

Death of One ot San Francisco's Uest Known Physicians.

He Expires After a Brief Illness Largely Due to Overwork— A Sketch of 11 is Busy Career.

Dr. Jacob Regensburger, one of the bestknown physicians of this city, died at his residence, 1432 Geary street, yesterday morning, after an illness of brief duration, principally caused by over-exertion in responding to a call for his professional services.

The deceased was a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born April 23d, 1824. In early youth he manifested a lively interest in medical ecience, and determined to become a physician. He devoted himself to study, and after passing brilliant examinations received the decree of M. D. from the University at Munich and from the University at Wurzburg. The L'aiiibrnia gold fever was raging then, and the young physician determined to seek his lortune in the new El Dorado. He arrived in San Francisco in 1850 via 'the Isthmus and at once began to practice his profession and in other ways thoroughly identify himself with the community. He soon became widely known as a most skillful physician and publicspirited citizen. He took an active part in politics, not with[any.thought of sharing in the co-called spoils of victory, but because he deemed it the duty of true patio tism to in every way further the interest of good government. In 1 853 he mairied a lady of Munich to whom he bad been betrothed before coming to California. He leaves a widow and cix ohildren. The latter, all of adult age, are Martin Regensburger, M. D., E. O. ltegensburger, merchant. Mrs. Oscar Helmiich, Mrs. Edward Gelderinan. Miss Emma Uegensburger, and Dr. Arthur Kegensburger, dentist, who is also well known as an amateur 'cello player. The deceased was the President of the committee which founded the German Hospital and established the German Benevolent Society. He was the physician of the society for thirty-six years and for twenty-five years* was the active physician and surgeon. During the last eleven years he was consulting physician. So highly were his services in raising the hospital to its present superior excellence apSreciated that last year the society presented im a testimonial in the shape of a solid silver tablet beautifully engraved and set in a plushcovered, satin-lined case. The tablet, in addition to an engraving of the new German Hospital, bears the following inscription: '•The German General Benevolent Society of San Francisco, California, presents this to its honorary member [Dr. Kegensburger was the only honorary member], the founder and untiring physician, Dr. J. Regensburger, as a token of recognition and thankful estimation of his unselfish medical services of thirty-five years in the German Hospital, San Francisco, on the thirtyfifth anniversary of the foundation of the society, January 7, 1890." Dr. Kegensburger was an active Republican. He was President of the Tax-Payers' Union many years ago. He was the surgeon of the Vigilance Committee in the stormy period of the city's youth. At the time of hie death he was a member of the County Medical Society, an honorary member of the San Francisco Polyclinic, a member of the Society of German Physicians, a member of the Eureka Benevolent Society, of the Odd Fellows and other associations. He was one of the founders of the San Francisco Verein and was for years its president. He was a man of large charity, and thousands of poor people found in him a friend. His professional services were ever at the free command of the indigent, as he believed that it was the first mission of the physician to relieve suffering, regardless of any consideration of pecuniary recompense. He," however, enjoyed a very lucrative practice,. and, it is understood, amassed a competency. The faneral will take place at 1 o'clook tomorrow afternoon, from the residence, and will be under the auspices of the Odd Fellows The interment will be in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery.