F.A. ODERMATT
History of Arizona 1896

Prominent among Tucson's professional men and one who has been 
long identified with the moral and material advancement of the 
city, is F.A. Odermatt, the leading dentist, whose offices are 
located in the handsome post office block.  Mr. Odermatt was 
born in Buochs, in Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, June 17, 
1848, and lived with his parents there until about four years 
old. In February 1852, his father and family emigrated to the 
new world and arrived in New Orleans where they remained but a 
short time.  From there they went to St. Louis and thence to 
Springfield, Illinois but only remained in the latter place a 
short time, when they returned to St. Louis. Mr. Odermatt, Sr. 
was engaged in the mercantile business, and prior to the war 
enjoyed a successful business career in the cities named, but 
California seemed to offer greater opportunities and so in 
1863 he took his family to San Francisco. It was in this city 
that our subject resumed his education, began in St. Louis and 
Springfield and he entered St. Ignatius' College.  After a 
period of study there he entered St. Thomas' Theological 
Seminary at the old Mission Dolores in 1865 where he devoted 
his time to Latin and Greek up to 1867.  In February, 1867 
accompanying Archbishop Allmany of San Francisco, he sailed 
for Europe to finish his education, and in May of the same 
year entered the College of Einsidlen, an old and famous 
institution of learning of Switzerland. He remained there 
nearly two years, when he became so seriously ill that the 
college physician advised him to give up his studies and 
return home as soon as his condition would permit undertaking 
the long voyage. 

He returned to San Francisco in the early part of May 1869 and 
after a few months rest he recovered from his illness and 
decided to take up the study of dentistry.  Having chosen his 
profession, he entered the service of the late Dr. C.c. 
Knowles, a leading dentist of the Pacific Coast and remained 
there a period of ten years after which he began practice for 
himself, opening a dental laboratory on the corner of Post and 
Kearney streets.  During a period of three years he enjoyed a 
lucrative business and executed work for the leading men of 
the profession at that time. His success in this line elicited 
a large number of press testimonials to his skill.

In October 1882 he decided to make the Territory of Arizona 
his home and arrived in this city during that month. He has 
been here ever since, has led all others in his profession, 
is married and is happy in the possession of a bright son 
and daughter and a charming wife.

Mrs. Odermatt, nee Senorita Carlota Flores, is a granddaughter 
on the mother's side of the late Don Carlos Yorba of San Juan, 
who once owned large tracts of land and immense herds of cattle, 
horses and sheep, and almost the entire Santa Anna Valley of 
southern California.  On her father's Senor Jesto Flores, side 
she is closely connected with the famous Godoy family of 
Santiago, Chili, the grandmother being a sister to Senor Miguel 
Godoy, once Balmeceda's Ambassador to France.

Mr. Odermatt's residence is one of the most elegantly appointed 
homes in the city.  Of an artistic turn, Mr. Odermatt devotes 
his leisure hours to sculpturing, his superior work eliciting 
praise from the press and public.   The "Daily Star" has said, 
"Dr. F.A. Odermatt of this city is a sculptor of no mean 
abilities. He recently carved out of wood a most beautiful 
model of the old San Xavier Church and the same will be placed 
on exhibition in Dr. Martin's drug store for a few days." The 
"Arizona Enterprise" of Tucson, dated July 7, 1892 was no less 
enthusiastic in the following article, "Dr. F.A. Odermatt, 
besides being one of the most skillful dentist west of the 
Rocky Mountains, possesses a high order of merit as a sculptor. 
He has recently devoted his spare time to an artistic design in 
plaster that would do credit to any experienced professional, 
and he has succeeded in giving the most realistic expression 
to human physiognomy appropriate to the character his design 
represents. Had his talents been directed toward this branch 
of the arts, he would surely have achieved a world-wide fame.  
Dr. Odermatt is the most expert 'filigree' wood worker in 
this city."

The grandfather of Dr. Odermatt, Zumbuehl (his mother's father) 
was a noted sculptor of Canton Underwalden, Switzerland, his 
works being mostly in alabaster.

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