Dr. Daniel Cave, San Diego’s Pioneer Jewish Dentist

Dr. Daniel Cave

Dr. David Cave, Los Angeles, 1922, #WS2722

Dr. David Cave, Los Angeles, 1922, #WS2722

Values Codes I – E – L – P

 

Daniel Cave was born in Strasburg, France, in 1846.

He reached San Diego, California, via the ship Orizaba in 1872.

He became a citizen of the United States in San Diego in 1877.

 

San Diego

Dr. Cave was the first doctor of dentistry in San Diego to establish an office.

 

Fraternal

Dr. Cave became a Master Mason of San Diego Lodge No. 35 in 1875.

He succeeded his brother-in-law as Master of that Lodge in 1886.

 

Civic

Dr. Daniel Cave was the first president of the San Diego Dental Society and was Dean of the University of Southern California College of Dentistry for 15 years.

He retired from practice in 1926, after moving to Los Angeles in 1886.

Family

Rosa Cave, #WS2723

Rosa Cave, #WS2723

Dr. Daniel Cave married Miss Rosa Meyer in 1878, and they had two children.

Rosa was the sister of Simon Levi, another Jewish pioneer of San Diego, California.

 

Dr. Daniel Cave died in 1936, and is buried in Hollywood, California.

His funeral services were conducted by Westgate Masonic Lodge, of which he was the founding Master in Los Angeles.

At the time of his passing, Dr. Cave was a resident of the Masonic home.

 

 

 

 

Sources

  • William M. Kramer, “Daniel Cave: Southern California Pioneer Dentist, Civic Leader and Masonic Dignitary,” Western States Jewish Historical Quarterly 9/2.
  • Norton B. Stern, “Daniel Cave: First Doctor of Dentistry, San Diego, 1846-1936,” Western States Jewish History 41/4.
  • William M. Kramer, “Daniel Cave: San Diego’s Jewish Dentist and Land Baron,” Western States Jewish History 42/2-3.

Linda Kern is curator of this Daniel Cave exhibit.