San Francisco County
Biographies
IRVING C.
GOBAR, M. D.
No physician in San Francisco is more deserving of the success he has attained than Dr. Irving C. Gobar, now one of the outstanding members of the profession in this city. The history of his medical career is one which might inspire the younger generation to emulate his courage, industry, and decision. He was born in San Jose, California, November 4, 1884, and is a son of the late Nicholas Gobar and his wife, Amelia (Laederich) Gobar.
Dr. Gobar is descended from an old New England family of French descent, the progenitor of the family in the United States having been his grandfather, who came to this country in the early years of the nineteenth century; he was born in 1818, was a soldier in the French Army, and settled in Connecticut about 1840. Nicholas Gobar, his son, was born March 30, 1855, in Connecticut, and was reared and educated in Berkshire, Massachusetts. In 1876, he came to California, and first settled in San Francisco, where he engaged in merchandising. He then moved to Santa Clara county, California, and followed agriculture for a time. About 1894, he changed his residence again, to Hollister, San Benito county, where he passed his remaining days in comfort. His death occurred in 1922, when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife, Amelia (Laederich) Gobar, was born July 21, 1861, in San Jose, California, and is a daughter of Julius and Louise (Wise) Laederich, who were pioneers of Santa Clara county. The father came to California by way of the Horn, and it is authoritatively stated that he brought with him on shipboard a piano, one of the first in the northern part of the state. Nicholas Gobar and his wife were the parents of four children now living, namely: Irving C.; Florence, who is the wife of Otto Dreyer of San Francisco; Elmer, a resident of Watsonville; and Louise, who is married to Albert Perry, and resides on the old homestead farm in the San Juan valley.
Dr. Gobar attended the public schools of San Juan, and the high school in Hollister, California. At this time he cherished the ambition to be a physician, and was likewise determined to earn the money with which to secure his professional education. With this idea strongly entrenched in his mind, he came to San Francisco, where he found employment driving a milk wagon, for which he received a salary of twenty dollars per month. Soon, however, he discovered work more adapted to his taste. He became a clerk in a drug store. At the same time, he roomed with a good friend who was a graduate chemist and who proceeded to teach him the science. Dr. Gobar learned rapidly, and soon organized a private class in chemistry himself, over which he acted as the instructor. His pharmaceutical connection continued for several years, and by saving his money carefully he supplied himself with enough to carry on his medical studies as he so earnestly desired. He attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco for three years and continued his professional training as a student at the Hahnemann Medical College of the Pacific, from which he graduated on May 27, 1909. He served an internship in the San Francisco Hospital from June 1, 1909, to July 1, 1910, then established himself in private practice, and has continued therein with noteworthy success to the present time. From 1911 to 1913, he acted as an instructor in the Hahnemann Medical College of the Pacific, occupying the chair of bacteriology. He also served as a clinician in the San Francisco Hospital, in the tuberculosis department, for eighteen months. Following this period, he practiced in Sonoma county until 1919, when he returned to San Francisco to resume his work. Dr. Gobar is a member of the medical staff of St. Mary’s Hospital of San Francisco; visiting physician of St. Joseph’s Hospital; and member of the staff of the San Francisco County Homeopathic Hospital. He is president of the California College of Chiropody, in which school he is also professor of dermatology and chemistry. During his residence in Sonoma county, he was secretary of the Red Cross, and while thus engaged made a scientific study and survey of health conditions, sanitation and other health measures under the auspices of the Red Cross. He is a member of the San Francicso Homeopathic Medical Society and the California State Homeopathic Medical Association. His offices are situated in suite 801-03 Flood building at 870 Market street.
Dr. Gobar is the inventor of the “Rest-Sling,” a neat, compact, adjustable sling for carrying the injured arm and shoulder at rest. It has the advantage of carrying the shoulder of the affected arm at rest and holding up the arm and elbow close to the body, in a natural and uncramped manner. It may be used for any injury or disease of the hand, wrist, forearm, or arm where it is the desire to carry the extremity at a right angle at the elbow and not interfere with the dressing applied. It has two adjustments; one at the elbow and one at the wristband, and come in two sizes for either the right or left hand.
On November 21, 1911, in San Francisco, Dr. Gobar was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. McDonnell, whom he first met at the time of the great fire of 1906, when he was a typhoid patient in the San Francisco Hospital. Their acquaintanceship was later renewed when the Doctor became an interne in the same hospital. Mrs. Gobar is a native of County Tipperary, Ireland. They have three children living, namely: Irving D., who was born in San Francisco, August 28, 1912; Rita Maria, born in Sonoma county, October 7, 1916; and John F., born in Sonoma county, November 8, 1917. The family residence is at 401 Buena Vista avenue in San Francisco.
Dr. Gobar is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He has customarily given his support to the republican party. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, and is past grand knight of Loyola Council, No. 2615. He is a member of and physician for the Independent Order of Foresters, and belongs to California Court No. 4, Foresters of America, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Questa La Honda Country Club. Dr. and Mrs. Gobar enjoy a popular standing in social affairs of their residence city, and both have maintained loyal interests in the welfare of the community.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 420-425.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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