Tulare County
Biographies
IRVIN H. BETTS, M. D.
Although one of the youngest of Visalia’s physicians and surgeons, Dr. Irvin H. Betts is well known and deservedly popular, not only as a medical man, but also as a citizen. He was born in Hames Valley, Monterey county, California, September 28, 1889. His father, Charles H. Betts, was born in California, and his mother, who maiden name was Florence Baugh, was born in Texas.
Irvin H. Betts acquired his education in the public schools of Salinas, California, and in 1911 received the degree of Bachelor of Science from the University of California. He then entered the medical department of that institution and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1915. The first year after his graduation was spent in the University Hospital of San Francisco, after which he practiced for a year in the San Francisco Hospital. When the United States entered the World war in 1917 he joined the Medical Corps of the United States army, with the rank of first lieutenant and spent nine months in Siberia as an army surgeon.
Upon being discharged from the military service he returned to California, and on June 1, 1919, he located in Visalia, where he has built up a good practice and maintains a high professional standing. Dr. Betts is vice president of the Tulare County Medical Association and holds membership in the California State and the American Medical Associations. Ten years have passed since he received his degree of M.D., yet during that time he has kept in close touch with the progress of medical science through reading the leading medical journals, the study of new textbooks, etc. While a medical student he became a member of the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity.
In 1919 Dr. Betts was united in marriage to Miss Vinita Britner, a native of Georgia, and they have two children: Vinita E., aged six years; and Irvin Hiram, Jr., aged two years. In the clubs and fraternal societies of Visalia Dr. Betts is a familiar figure. He is vice president of the local Red Cross, a member of the Visalia Rotary Club, belongs to the American Legion and Visalia Lodge No. 1298, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Forty and Eight, and wields an influence in various ways for the advancement of Visalia’s social and civic interests.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 88
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama
GEORGE A. BIGARD
One of the most active and energetic men in the city of Visalia, California, is George a. Bigard, proprietor of the transfer and storage business at No. 324 East Main street. He was born in Greenville, Bond county, Illinois, August 1, 1884. His early life was spent on a farm, driving a team and doing general farm work, attending the public school during the fall and winter seasons. Leaving the farm, he took a job as locomotive fireman on the division of the Illinois Central Railroad between East St. Louis and Cairo.
In October, 1904, George A. Bigard came to California and found employment as a tool dresser in the Coalinga oil field in Fresno county. Later he followed the same occupation in Bakersfield in the Kern county oil fields. His residence in California at that time proved to be only temporary. Returning to his native state he was for some time employed in the oil field in Casey, Illinois. In 1907 he came to California a second time and located in Visalia, with the intention of making that place his permanent home. His first employment there was with S. J. Scott in the Visalia Creamery Company.
During the next ten years he was engaged in various lines of activity. In 1918 he started in his present business, hauling grain, fruit and household goods, with one truck. He now has a fleet of ten trucks and employs from six to twenty men, according to the season, and maintains a large storage warehouse at No. 324 East Main street, Visalia. His field of operation covers all the territory between San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition to his own trucking business he is the Visalia agent for the San Joaquin Valley Transportation Company, which maintains a daily service between Fresno and Los Angeles.
Mr. Bigard married Miss Ella Martin, a native of Bond county, Illinois, and they have one daughter and two sons: Alma, George and Harold. Mr. Bigard is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Royal Neighbors of America.
History of Tulare County and Kings County, California – Kathleen Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. I, Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1926, Page 165
Transcribed by Jeannie Miyama