Fresno County, California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



FLOYD L. R. BURKS, M.D.� It would be a strange thing if the recent 
World War did not bring in its wake some decided blessings, and an indication 
of the advancement of science through human experience is afforded in the 
return from Europe and the fields of conflict of Dr. Floyd L. R. Burks, the 
physician of whose surgical skill Fresno had already been proud. His father 
was William Tillman Burks, a practicing physician well known to old-timers 
in Fresno, and from association with him the lad inherited his father's bent. 
Dr. William Burks had married Miss Annie Williams, daughter of Richard 
and Elizabeth (Cocking) Williams, natives of England who were early settlers 
of Fresno, and from her superior character the lad Floyd received the most 
ennobling impulses. He was born at Fresno, on August 4, 1883, and was 
educated at the local grammar and high schools. 

After a pre-medical course of a very thorough .nature in San Francisco, 
Mr. Burks entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which 
he was graduated with the Class of '08, when he received his M. D. degree. 
Then he served as interne at the Fresno County Hospital. He joined the 
American Medical Association, the State Medical Association and the County 
Medical Society, and opened a suite of well-equipped offices in the Forsyth 
Building at Fresno, where his fast-increasing practice soon necessitated two 
skilled assistants. His previous experience for three years as Emergency 
Hospital surgeon had contributed to that public confidence essential for one 
wishing to stand as a specialist in such an important field as surgery. 

In April, 1918, Dr. Burks made application for a commission in the medi- 
cal department of the United States Army, and reported for service on July 
31. Then he was made lieutenant, and sent to Camp Kearney; after which 
he was ordered to Camp Shelby, in Mississippi, to join Evacuation Hospital 
No. 33. In September, he was promoted and commissioned captain, and was 
sent overseas in November. He was fortunate in having service at Rimau- 
court Base Hospital center, and then at Vichy. On completion of his services 
there, he requested his discharge in France ; and this having been granted 
him by the authorities, he went to England to study at the leading hospitals, 
after which he returned to Fresno and resumed his practice. 

In San Francisco, Dr. Burks was married on September 2, 1911, to 
Miss Adelaide Granz, also a native daughter of Fresno, whose father was 
Herman Granz, a prominent viticulturist of the county. She and her husband 
are members of the Eastern Star. Dr. Burks was made a Mason in Fresno 
Lodge, No. 247, F. & A. M. when he was twenty-one; he belongs to the 
Fresno Chapter, R. A. M. ; Fresno Commandery. Knights Templar; Fresno 
Consistory of the Scottish Rite; and Islam Temple. A. A. O. X. M. S., of 
San Francisco. His public-spirit and his interest in civic and social affairs 
have associated him with such organizations as the Commercial Club, the 
Chamber of Commerce, the University Club and the Sunnyside Country 
Club.