Wierzbicki, Felix Paul
Physician. Pioneer of California. Hero of the Mexican War in 1846. Born Jan. 1, 1815 in Poland. At the age of 13 active in the insurrection movement in Poland in 1931 against Russia. Captured by the officials of the Austrian government, jailed only to be deported with 235 others for America on March 31, 1834. In 1846, as a doctor of medicine, joined U.S. Army, Colonel Stevenson's Regiment and arriving in California early in 1847, became one of the most famous pioneers of the state. Helped to organize the first medical society in San Francisco, Call. His knowledge of the treatment of metals was often utilized by the United States Mint in San Francisco, Cal.; engaged here until his death Dec. 26, 1860. Buried in Laurel Hill cemetery in San Francisco, Cal., where the citizens of California built a marble monument in his honor. Wrote several books, some of them are: "California as it is and as it may be, or a guide to the Gold Region," 1849, San Francisco, Cal. (this book is the first one ever printed in California). "Idealny Czlowiek" (in Polish), (The Ideal Man), 1941, and others. Contributed many articles to the American Weekly Review in New York, 1846. For some time a teacher in Amherst College; practiced medicine in Providence, R. I.From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943