More information about this collection...

Thompson W. Drullard

Dentist, Odd Fellows Building, the mayor of Santa Cruz, California, came to this State with his parents as a young man, locating in San Joaquin County, in the city of Stockton, in 1871. His education was received in his native state, and fitted him to at once enter the profession of teaching school, which he followed for a few years, during which time he perfected himself in his chosen profession, dentistry.

In 1874 Dr. Drullard removed to Modesto, Stanislaus County, and opened his offices, when he established lucrative practice, remaining there until 1888, when he came to Santa Cruz to make his home. He at once started the practice of his profession, which he has continued ever since. Dr. Drullard soon took his place among the leading citizens of the community, and in 1890, two years after his arrival; he was elected to the City Council. Following this he was elected to the office of mayor in 1906, again in 1909; and he is now filling his third term having been re-elected in 1913. Thompson W. Drullard was born in Naperville, Illinois, on December 14, 1848, where his parents resided until their removal to California. His marriage to Miss Caroline Meseroll took place in Stockton in 1874. They have two daughters living, now grown young ladies. While keeping abreast of the advances made in his profession, Dr. Drullard has always had time to study questions affecting municipal government, and is well informed.

Fraternally he is affiliated with the F. and A.M., Knights Templar and I.O.O.F., and is also a member of the G.A.R., having served in the 23rd Illinois Infantry. (p. 812)

History of Santa Cruz County, Gertrude McHaley

Probably no citizen enjoys a wider acquaintance among the people of Santa Cruz than does Dr. Drullard, who for more than twenty years has engaged in the practice of the dental profession in this city and meanwhile has established a reputation that is not limited to recognized professional skill, but also extends into municipal affairs and commercial activities. Implanted deep in his heart is an intense affection for the city of his adoption. Its increasing popularity as a residential point and its attraction of climate constantly winning wider recognition, interest him not alone as a resident and property owner, but more especially as a citizen proud of his home town and loyal to its charms. In his office of mayor, which he holds at the present writing, he has been enabled to promote movements for the local welfare and supports with enthusiasm yet with sagacious judgment those measure calculated to leave an impress upon the city of permanent value.

The mayor of Santa Cruz is a native of Illinois and was born in Naperville in 1848. The local schools afforded him advantages superior to many institutions of that period and he developed into intelligent, resourceful manhood. Meanwhile the Civil War had cast its dark shadow over the land and when he was thirteen years of age he witnessed the national strife with its culmination of war. From the first he was ardent in his support of northern principles, but he was too young to enter the service and had to satisfy himself with a careful reading of all accounts of battles. At the age of sixteen he was accepted as a volunteer and assigned to the Twenty third Illinois Infantry, in which he served at the front until the close of the rebellion. After the end of the war he returned to his Illinois home and there remained until 1871 when he came to California, settling first in Stockton and taking up the study of dentistry. In order to earn the means necessary for continued study he engaged in teaching school. Upon the completion of his dental studies he opened an office for practice in Modesto, where he built up a growing patronage in the line of his specialty. For fifteen years he remained in Modesto and them removed to Santa Cruz, where he has since engaged in professional practice.

While making his home in Stockton, during the year 1874, Dr. Drullard there married Miss Coralinn Meseroll, who was born and reared in California, her parents having been pioneers of the state. Dr. and Mrs. Drullard have two daughters, one of whom is the wife of W.H. Raymond, of Seattle, WA. and the other, Marjorie, is with her parents. Fraternally Dr. Drullard holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masons and during his identification with both organizations he has been steadfast in his support of their philanthropic principles. While by no means a partisan nor a politician, he has been active in civic matters and has contributed his quota to local advancement. Those who recognize his executive ability, resourceful mind and keen intelligence urged him to accept nomination for the mayoralty of Santa Cruz, and his consent being obtained he was elected to the office in 1906, remaining in the position for one term. Again in 1909 he was elected to the office on the independent ticket and in his second term, as in the first he has been conspicuous for his support of movements having in view the welfare of the city and the prosperity of the people. (p. 207)

Santa Cruz Sentinel (January 31, 1937)

Funeral for Dr. T.W. Drullard to be on Monday

Dr. Thomas W. Drullard, for 48 years a resident of this city, for three terms, mayor of the city, veteran of the Civil War and prominent in the civic and fraternal life, died yesterday morning at 8 o'clock at the family residence on Rigg street. He was a citizen who stood high in the community and hand the esteem of all who new him.

Dr. Drullard was born in Naperville, Illinois, near Chicago, 88 years ago. When the Civil War broke out he was only 13 years old, and yet during the latter years he served in the Union army.

In 1872, at the age of 24 years, he came to California, and for a time taught school in the Mother Lode country. In 1873 he commenced the practice of dentistry in Modesto and in 1874 married Coralinn Messerole, their married life extending over a period of 63 years.

The Drullards came to Santa Cruz in 1898 and he followed the profession of dentistry and continued to practice until he retired. His dental office was in the Odd Fellows building and the family residence for many years was on the top of Locust street hill.

Always keenly interested in the welfare of the city, especially in civic affairs, he was highly honored by his fellow citizens and served the city as Councilman and had the unusual distinction of being elected three times of the office of mayor, serving during the years 1906-7, 1909-11 and 1913-15.

He became a member of the Odd Fellows in 1869 and was a past noble grand of the order and in 1872 became a Mason. He was a past master before coming to Santa Cruz. He was a member of Santa Cruz Lodge F & A.M. and of Santa Cruz Commandery Knights Templar.

Dr. Drullard is survived by his widow, Mrs. Coralinn Drullard; his daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Leask; grandchildren, Drullard, Robert, Coralinn, Dorothy and Muriel Raymond, Mrs. Theodore Wetmore, Samuel Leask III, Marjorie and Janet Leask.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 o'clock Monday at the Wessendorf Mortuary and the services will be under the auspices of the Masons. Interment will be at the Odd Fellows cemetery.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (February 2, 1937)

Scores Attend Last Rites for Dr. Drullard

City officials, relatives, members of fraternal organizations and leading citizens gathered yesterday afternoon at the Wessendorf Mortuary to pay their last tribute to the late Dr. T.W. Drullard, former mayor of the city, veteran of the Civil War and prominent Mason and Odd Fellow.

The service was held at 1:30 o'clock and across the end of the chapel were lovely flowers sent by friends. Past Worshipful Master Robert Burton and Willett Ware as chaplain read the services of the Masonic lodge.

Mrs. Josephine Rittenhouse, violin and Mrs. William Izant, long time friends of the family, rendered music at the service.

The pallbearers, members of the Masonic fraternity, were Mayor C.D. Hinkle, Alvin Weymouth, Ed Harran, James Leask, Louis Silva and Charles Balzari.

Interment was at the family plot.

Date of Birth: 1848-12-14

Date of Death: 1937-30-01

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz Memorial Park

Plot: J20

Mortuary: CCC

Cause of Death: Hrt/Carditis

Date of Marriage: 1874/

Spouse: Meseroll_ Coralinn

Occupation: Dentist/Mayor

Height: 5'10

Complexion: Lt

Eye Color: Br

Hair Color: Br

Local Address: Rigg St. 84

Last City: Santa Cruz

Native of: IL

Enlisted: 1864/

Discharged: 1865/

Military Unit: IL_ 23 Inf_ Co H

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: Not on HDS/SSS Database 04/04

GAR#: Yes

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1937/01/31