Kings County
Biographies
COMFORT, ALMER B.
Conspicuous among the prominent citizens and officials of Guernsey, Kings county, Cal., who has evidenced the power of staunch loyalty to his early training, which has materially acquired for him the success he has reached today, is Almer B. Comfort, the well-known proprietor of the flourishing and active general store business of Guernsey, which he also serves as postmaster. Inheriting the splendid traits of his father, Byron G. Comfort, a pioneer of Kings county, who is a prosperous farmer near Hanford, he early evidenced the ability and perseverance which led him to mercantile interests, and his entire career has been indicative of thrift, energy and integrity.
Born in Kings county, Cal., the son of Byron G. and Carrie H. (Drullard) Comfort, Mr. Comfort was there reared to manhood, acquiring his elementary education in the common schools, and becoming thoroughly familiar with farm work and steady, honorable and clean habits. Upon reaching manhood’s estate he rented a large dairy farm in the vicinity of Corcoran, which he operated with signal success, following that line of business for a long period until in 1912 he found himself able to purchase a business of his own. Being attracted by a chance to purchase a general merchandise business at Guernsey he went there to make investigation with the result that he bought and has since conducted it with the most gratifying results. Being naturally of a genial, optimistic disposition, he attracts many friends to him, and in his position as postmaster of Guernsey, which appointment he received in December of 1912, he finds himself the recipient of many good wishes and the good will of the entire community. In addition to these duties he has taken over the management of the lumber yard at Guernsey, which bids fair to become an important business in the near future.
Mr. Comfort belongs to that circle of young men of California who have the future of the country in their hands, and who give every prophecy of taking the burden of business and political life on their shoulders with capability and splendid executive ability. Ever alert for the welfare of their interests and those of their town and county, they are public-spirited and quick to move in the direction they deem best for all concerned.
Mr. Comfort is not a holder of any public office. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, and his interest in the affairs and issues of his party is ever active, he being well-informed on all current topics pertaining to the advancement of his country.
SOURCE: History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913 Pp 417, 418
Transcribed by: Craig A Hahn
BYRON, WILLIAM P. (DR.)
The able and popular medical man of Kings county, Cal., Dr. William P. Byron of Lemoore, was born in that town, October 22, 1878, and there reared and educated in the public schools, He is the son of H. W. Byron, one of the first pioneers of this part of the state. In 1900 Dr. Byron became a student at the California Medical College, San Francisco, and in 1904 was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. He began the practice of his profession at Ridgefield, Wash., and continued it there with considerable success until 1906, when he returned to Lemoore and opened an office there. He was successful from the outset and soon became one of the most popular physicians in that part of the county. In November, 1909, Dr. E. H. Byron, his brother, became his professional partner, and this partnership continued until November, 1912. He has always devoted himself to general practice and is in much favor as a family physician. He was made district surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. in 1907, and is still holding that responsible position. He is the city health officer of Lemoore; county physician for Western Kings county, and a member of the San Joaquin Valley Health Association, the California State Medical Society and the American Society of Medicine. Socially he affiliates with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias, Foresters, Woodsmen and the Fraternal Brotherhood; also the orders of I. D. E. S. and U. P. E. C., Companions, Rebekahs and the Order of the Eastern Star, and with all women’s auxiliary lodges in the city of which specific mention has not been made.
In 1910 Dr. Byron married Miss Ruby E. Fassett of Iowa and they lived on Heinlin street, opposite the park. Exacting as are the demands that are made upon him professionally he gives much time to the promotion of the general interests of Lemoore, and has proven himself a public-spirited citizen, to be confidently depended upon in any emergency.
SOURCE: History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913 Pp 426, 427
Transcribed by: Craig A Hahn