安康 Ukiah, CA - Chew Fish Yuen
Initially like most communities, Ukiah, California had a large Chinese population with a variety of occupations for individual families such as laundry, servant jobs, and as cook. However, after the 安康Mendocino Asylum was established in 1894 several Chinese patients were sent to the Asylum. By the 1920’s, several Chinese patients became inmates of the Asylum. These stories of our ancestors became part of California’s lost history but the Chew family’s story in Ukiah survived.
Continuing the long tradition of Chinese Eastern Medicine, Dr. Chew Fish Yuen followed in his father, grandfather, and great grandfather’s footsteps. Cousin, Dr. Chew Fish Yuen would eventually expand the Red Bluff’s family herbal physician business by moving to Ukiah, CA.
While living in Ukiah, Dr. Chew Fish Yuen had encountered much of the same trials and tribulations of his ancestors trying to make a living in the New World. In 1955, he and his wife Rose Ann (Fong) Yuen purchased a property for his herbal practice located at 980 South Dora Street, Ukiah, CA from Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Myers for $2,000. Dr. Chew Fish Yuen did not have an easy time operating his business in Ukiah. He would be accused of practicing medicine beyond the scope of his chiropractor license resulting in his arrest and court trails. Much like Dr. Chew Fish Yuen’s ancestors, he would persevere.
While living in Ukiah, Dr. Chew Fish Yuen was recognized as the Honor Life President of the Chinese Herbal and Acupuncture Association of America.
Dr. Chew Fish Yuen was the last Chew herbalist physician of Ukiah, California dying in 1975. Most likely the cause of death was malpractice from Dr. Herman Presant and Robert A Presant in Oakland, CA prescribing high dosages of Barbiturate, Librium and Seconal, whose father coincidentally also died of a heart attack at the age 53 in 1964.
While Dr. Chew Fish Yuen left this world too soon, he left a legacy reflective in the New World that would honor the Chew family’s ancient village "Zhao Song Royal Village".
