The Dainty Dentist

They came to California with great hope for the future-they left a legacy.

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With Great Hope: Women of the California Gold Rush.

The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill, California, in 1848 set off a siren call that many Americans couldn’t resist. Enthusiastic pioneers headed west intent on picking up a fortune in the nearest stream. Though only a few actually used a pickax in the search for a fortune, women played a major role in the California Gold Rush. They discovered wealth working as cooks, writers, photographers, performers, or lobbyists. Some even realized dreams greater than gold in the western land of opportunity and others experienced unspeakable tragedy.

 

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Petite Nellie Pooler Chapman stood on the red velvet covered riser and gazed inside the mouth of a burly, distressed miner and shook her head. She would have to remove the tooth that was causing the prospector so much pain. Nellie selected a corkscrew type instrument to begin the process. She wrapped the tool around the tooth and with considerable effort wrenched it out of the man’s mouth. The relief he felt was almost instantaneous.

Nellie Pooler Chapman was the first licensed dentist in the Old West and over her 30 year career would care for numerous residence in Nevada County, California. She was born in Norridgewock, Maine in 1847 and at the age of 13 relocated with her parents to the Gold Country. There she met and married Dr. Allen Chapman, a prominent dentist in the area. The parlor in the home he built for his new bride included a dental office.

Nellie did not enter the field of dentistry eagerly. She assisted her husband in his work, but was not initially interested in the job as a career. It wasn’t until she had spent years learning about the profession from Allen that she decided to apply for a license of her own. Nellie became a full-fledged dentist in 1879. She was the first woman to be registered in the field in the western territories. When her husband decided to open an office in Virginia City, Nevada, Nellie was the sole dentist between Sacramento and Donner Lake.

Dr. Chapman outfitted her thriving practice with a porcelain bowl, crystal water glasses and the most modern drills and aspirators. The chair her patients sat in was covered in red velvet and labeled “Imperial Columbia” in gold script.

In 1897, Nellie’s husband passed away. She continued on with the practice for another 9 years, providing care for Northern California residence.

 

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To learn more about Nellie Pooler Chapman and her life and career in the West or about any of the other women who made their mark on the

Gold Rush read:

With Great Hope: Women of the California Gold Rush.