The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-11
He LIVED TWO lives.
DR.. James J. Birge Had a Dual
Existence.
HIS VERY STRANGE HISTORY
a New Claimant Appears-His Son Reveals
How the Late Dentist Had Wife and Was
Kncwn at Home as Johnson.

Ii is now known that the late DR.. J. j.
Birge, who was during his lifetime one OF
best known dentists in the city, led dual
existence.
To the world he was known as a bachelor
and as DR.. James J. Birge.
Under that name be made hosts Of friends
and attracted large clientage, from which
he made money.
In his private life he had a romance.
wife and son, and to the two latter he was
James j. johnson.
The story of his life. which will be re-
vealed in proceedings to be instituted in
the Probate Court, is one of romance, and
is tale in one respect like "Dr. Jekyll and
Mr.. Hyde"
1t appears that In 1856 DIR. Birge. who was
then known as j. j. johnson, became en-
amored of pretty Spanish girl named Con-
suelo Gonzales, who was then 16 years OF age.
The girl returned his affections and the
two assumed marital relations.
To his then small circle of acquaintanees
johnson introduced the girl as his wife.
year or TWO went by and son was
born to them.
he was christened at ST. Francis Church
and given the name of Adolph S. Johnson.
As the years went by johnson changed
his name aud commenced the practice OF
dentistry.
He grew prosperous under the name Of
Birge. and as Johnson his family comforts
were increased.
For years the doctor led this dua! exist
ence.
1t was only during the hour preceding his
wife's death, ten years ago, that he revealed
his identity to both her and his son.
He tolG them that his true name was
Birge, but upon leaving New York to come
70 Goii ba O n
son.
He feared that he might become involved
in difficulties in the new land, and lie did
not wish to dishonor a name that had al
ways been res ected.
After his wife's death Birge endeavored
to get his son to follow dentistry as pro-
fession.
Young Birge, however, did not take kind
~ to the career mapped out for him and he
ran away from home.
He became q variety comedian, and as
such he was lost to his fathers counsel.
This act of rebellion angered Dr. Birge
and he took revenge By bequeathing his
property to those OF more distant kin.
He died on June IL last and his will was
found and fled for probate some weeks
afterward.
His estate was found to consist of about
$4,000 worth of real and personal property.
After deviSing $500 to his niece AGa
Stocker of Brooklyn. n. Y. and 500 TO c.
L. Fsrman OF this city, the residue was TO
be divided among his brother and sisters
who are the following: Ada u. Stocker OF
Brooklyn, Flora Dellenback of New York,
and Delos l.. Birge OF Hooperstown, n, Y.
Philo White and ID. A. Baum were made
the executors
About six weeks ago Adolph q. Birge, the
Maynard son. who is playing at; the Olym-
plan Theater Tombstone, ArZ., became
aware of his fathers death.
He at ouce communicated with Van
Schaick and Bahrs, the attorneys at COG
Montgomery street.
The attorney drew up his protest against
the probatng of DIR. Blrge's will, and the
probabilities are that lively contest will
be made.
Young Birge thinks he has very clear
case, and Mr.. Bahrs, his attorney, states that
he has a much clearer title tc the property
than did young Jessup