Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 27

The notable career of Fresno's pioneer physician, Dr. Till Burks, as familiarly known, who for nearly forty years, had been identified with the life of Fresno City and County, came to a very sudden close October 21, 1918, after an illness of only one day from influenza. Dr. Burks was born at Shelbina, Mo., October 7, 1858, and after completing his education in his native town, he entered Boone College, from which he was graduated. He came to Fresno in 1880 and joined his brother, Charles F. Burks, who had established the first drug store in Fresno, at the corner of Mariposa and I Streets where for some years Dr. Burks acted as a drug clerk. He completed his medical education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco from which he graduated in 1899 with the degree of M. D. and engaged in practice in Fresno. He married Miss Annie J. Williams of Fresno, sister of E. A. Williams, the well-known attorney of Fresno, and W. R. Williams, bank commissioner for the state of California. She was born in Redruth, England. By her he had one son, Dr. Floyd L. R. Burks, who has established a practice in Fresno. There was an estrangement which led to Mrs. Burks securing a divorce and she now resides in Sacramento. For a short period in his early manhood Dr. Burks served as ship's surgeon on a Pacific liner, and in this capacity visited the South Sea Islands on a cruise which extended over a year. While returning from this cruise in 1890, the ship touched at a Mexican port, and President Diaz of Mexico enlisted him to stamp out a plague of yellow fever that was then raging in Mexico. President Diaz gave Dr. Burks unlimited authority to overcome the scourge, and placed the army and navy at his disposal, to be utilized in making conditions more sanitary. It is stated that in three months he had the epidemic under control, and after a residence of ten months in Mexico he returned to California.

Dr. Burks resumed his practice in Fresno, and from that time on took an active interest in matters pertaining to public health, and was for some time president of the board of health and county health officer. While connected with the board of health. Dr. Burks is reported, by his friends, to have insisted on the observance of the public health laws without fear or favor.

In 1898, Dr. W. T. Burks' second marriage occurred, when he was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Croft, by whom he is survived.

As an evidence of the high esteem in which Dr. Burks was held by his Alma Mater, special exercises were held in honor of his memory at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at San Francisco, Dr. Charles Boxton, dean of the college, delivering the eulogy, the unit of student-soldiers in the Student Army Training Corps at the college stood at attention during the ceremonies.

Dr. Burks was a prominent Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner and was also a charter member of Fresno Lodge of Odd Fellows.