Author: John Outcalt (1925)

CHARLES W. KAHL, M.D.

A native son of Merced County who is now a well-known professional man in his home community, Dr. Kahl was born in the Plainsburg District on Mariposa Creek, on December 24, 1868, the son of Adam and Lydia Ann (Spangenberg) Kahl, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York State, both now deceased. The father reached seventy-eight years, and the mother eighty-five, dying in September, 1924. After receiving his preliminary education in the district schools, Charles W. Kahl attended Bainbridge Business College, at Stockton, and then returned to his father's ranch, remaining there until 1891. In 1896, he was graduated from the Missouri Valley College, at Marshall, Mo., with the degree of A. B., and in 1899, he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, San Francisco, with his degree of M. D.

Dr. Kahl then passed one year in Nome, Alaska, and was later surgeon on the John S. Kimball steamship line, between San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu, putting in two years in that service. He next practiced medicine in San Francisco, at Sixteenth and Mission Streets, and was burned out by the big earthquake and fire of 1906, losing all his effects, and gave his services to help the suffering population of the metropolis during that trying time. On account of ill health, he returned to Merced County, locating at Le Grand, and in 1914 opened his office in Merced, and has since that time maintained his
practice here, in home surroundings and with a patronage upheld by the confidence of the people who have known him since childhood, and to whom he has demonstrated his ability, both as a man and a physician. To his practical experience he adds constant study of the new discoveries science is bringing to the world, and his conscientious application has won him many friends in the community.

Dr. Kahl has been twice married, the first union being with Isabel Allen, at San Francisco, in 1897; she was a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and bore him two sons: Charles W., who saw service with the U. S. Navy after the war, with the Atlantic Fleet, and is now a mechanical engineer; and LeRoy, who also served in the Navy after the World War, and is now employed in the San Mateo postoffice.

Dr. Kahl's second marriage, in 1916, united him with Mrs. Eugene Reid, a native of San Francisco. Mrs. Kahl is a Past President of Veritas Parlor of the
Native Daughters, and Past Noble Grand of the Rebekahs. Fraternally, Dr. Kahl is a Past President of Yosemite Parlor No. 24, N. S. G. W., of Merced; is a member of Mariposa Lodge No. 24, F. & A. M.; Pyramid No. 14, Sciots, of Merced; Past Grand of Unity Lodge No. 131, I. O. O. F., San Francisco; and belongs to the Rebekahs, the Redmen, and the Women of Woodcraft.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher February 6, 2006, 12:42 am