PAUL AGOP MOSESIAN
Paul A. Mosesian was for thirty years a prominent citizen of Fresno. He became one of the largest growers and shippers of fruit and one of the largest land owners in the San Joaquin Valley. He purchased and improved the old Fresno vineyard property east of the county seat, one of the pioneer agricultural developments of Fresno county.
Paul Agop Mosesian was a native of Armenia, born at Bazmashen, a suburb of Harpoot, Asiatic Turkey, March 21, 1871. His parents were Moses Agop and Soorpoohi Mosesian. The family traces its ancestry back to the fifteenth century in Armenia. In 1534 they settled at Harpoot and ever since have been noted citizens of that community.
Paul Mosesian received an elementary education in his native land, and was brought up to very strict observance of religious belief and conduct. His father dying when he was twelve years of age, he was forced to leave school, to take care of the family interests. He engaged in trade as well as in managing his father's farm.
In 1887, when but sixteen years of age, Mr. Mosesian came to America and went to work in a shoe factory at Lynn, Massachusetts, at 50 cents a day. In time he became head leather cutter at $40.00 a week. In five years he felt justified in returning to his native city to marry his childhood sweetheart, Twodi Garabedian.
For three years, 1892 to 1895, the young couple lived in Harpoot. It was a seriously adventurous time. The Turks were persecuting the Christians, and young Paul led a small band of defenders who fought and saved many Armenian lives during the massacres of 1895. In the disorder, the Turks destroyed all the Mosesian property. So, soon after the birth of his first son, Moses, Mr. Mosesian left his wife and child in the old country and made an extensive trip through Egypt, France and England, then returned to the United States, in 1896. He resumed work in the leather factory at Lynn, and in 1898 became a naturalized citizen of the United States, in Boston, Massachusetts.
At the beginning of the Alaskan gold rush of 1898, Mr. Mosesian and a chum, Markar Shahbazian, went to the Klondike together. They had plenty of adventure, but found very little gold, and on returning to San Francisco had only $307.00 between them. Hearing of Fresno, they came to this city and together rented a fig orchard at Del Rey. Their first enterprise in San Joaquin Valley farming was a profitable one. The price of figs rose from 2 cents to 6 cents a pound, and at the end of the season they had $1500.00 profit.
In the summer of 1899, Mr. Mosesian and his partner leased a half section of land east of Parlier, with only 40 acres of this improved to Muscat grapes. At the end of the season, they bought the place for $12,000.00 and started development. On October 5, 1900, Mr. Mosesian's wife and child arrived in Fresno from Armenia, together with his half brother, John Shahtanian. In 1902, Mr. Mosesian and Mr. Shahbazian dissolved partnership, the former retaining control of the half section of land and continuing to improve it, and he planted every grape vine himself. This is today what is known as the "Mosesian Home Ranch" at Parlier. It includes Muscat, Thompson and Malaga grapes, also peaches, apricots and figs.
In 1904, 1905 and 1906, Mr. Mosesian began extending his operations, leasing about 1400 acres in Fresno and Tulare counties. In 1907 he sold his lease holdings and entered the real estate business with George Nees in Fresno. Buying and selling, one of the largest parcels of land they acquired was the old Mineola vineyard on Ventura avenue. Later this vineyard was sold to O. J. Woodward. Mr. Mosesian continued in real estate operations until 1913, when he joined in the organizing of the California Associated Raisin company, the predecessor of the Sun-Maid corporation. Mr. Mosesian had begun to ship and pack fresh grapes for the Eastern market in 1910. His acquaintance in Boston enabled him to build up a large trade in raisins and table grapes for the New England market. Bad transportation conditions during the World war caused a loss to him of twenty-five carloads of fruit. Thereupon he erected his fire proof, concrete, brick and iron cold storage plant and warehouse on the Santa Fe reservation, Fresno, known as the State Center Warehouse and Coldstorage Co., Inc. This is a valuable asset due to the fact that a very large tonnage of grapes can he placed in cold storage and kept for late shipment and holiday trade.
In 1922, Mr. Mosesian incorporated his large properties in Fresno and Tulare counties under the name "Paul A. Mosesian & Sons, Inc." His holdings had increased to about 3000 acres, of good productive land. He has many varieties of grapes as well as tree fruits on his properties.
His properties were at Lindsay, Strathmore, Goshen, Parlier, Local', Fresno, Selma and Kerman. He took pride in his knowledge of soils. He developed two brands of fruit, "State Center and "State Pride," which always have sold at a premium. He shipped no goods except what his own vineyards produced. One of his great ambitions was to build up the old Fresno vineyard, which lies three miles east of Fresno on Ventura avenue, as a park and show place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosesian had five children: Moses P., Mary P., Louise P., Suren P., and Bernice P. Mosesian. All but the oldest son, were born in Fresno, and all reside here.
Mr. Mosesian was an earnest member of the Armenian Holy Trinity (Episcopalian) church. In 1920, he was president and treasurer of the Armenian Army fund organization. This society raised $200,000 for the stricken soldiers of Armenia. Of this fund, Mr. Mosesian donated $37,000. He also made large donations to various organizations, including the Community Chest, the Boy Scouts, and other public bodies. Mr. Mosesian was a Republican up to 1928, when he became a Democrat and voted for Al Smith.
On April 6, 1929, Mr. Mosesian was the victim of an automobile accident and died on April 11. At the funeral, April 15, six thousand people attended. Since his death his business is being carried on by his widow and children.
Mr. Mosesian had splendid foresight and extraordinary vitality and energy which enabled him to accomplish much for the fruit industry in the valley.
Paul A. Mosesian was for thirty years a prominent citizen of Fresno. He became one of the largest growers and shippers of fruit and one of the largest land owners in the San Joaquin Valley. He purchased and improved the old Fresno vineyard property east of the county seat, one of the pioneer agricultural developments of Fresno county.
Paul Agop Mosesian was a native of Armenia, born at Bazmashen, a suburb of Harpoot, Asiatic Turkey, March 21, 1871. His parents were Moses Agop and Soorpoohi Mosesian. The family traces its ancestry back to the fifteenth century in Armenia. In 1534 they settled at Harpoot and ever since have been noted citizens of that community.
Paul Mosesian received an elementary education in his native land, and was brought up to very strict observance of religious belief and conduct. His father dying when he was twelve years of age, he was forced to leave school, to take care of the family interests. He engaged in trade as well as in managing his father's farm.
In 1887, when but sixteen years of age, Mr. Mosesian came to America and went to work in a shoe factory at Lynn, Massachusetts, at 50 cents a day. In time he became head leather cutter at $40.00 a week. In five years he felt justified in returning to his native city to marry his childhood sweetheart, Twodi Garabedian.
For three years, 1892 to 1895, the young couple lived in Harpoot. It was a seriously adventurous time. The Turks were persecuting the Christians, and young Paul led a small band of defenders who fought and saved many Armenian lives during the massacres of 1895. In the disorder, the Turks destroyed all the Mosesian property. So, soon after the birth of his first son, Moses, Mr. Mosesian left his wife and child in the old country and made an extensive trip through Egypt, France and England, then returned to the United States, in 1896. He resumed work in the leather factory at Lynn, and in 1898 became a naturalized citizen of the United States, in Boston, Massachusetts.
At the beginning of the Alaskan gold rush of 1898, Mr. Mosesian and a chum, Markar Shahbazian, went to the Klondike together. They had plenty of adventure, but found very little gold, and on returning to San Francisco had only $307.00 between them. Hearing of Fresno, they came to this city and together rented a fig orchard at Del Rey. Their first enterprise in San Joaquin Valley farming was a profitable one. The price of figs rose from 2 cents to 6 cents a pound, and at the end of the season they had $1500.00 profit.
In the summer of 1899, Mr. Mosesian and his partner leased a half section of land east of Parlier, with only 40 acres of this improved to Muscat grapes. At the end of the season, they bought the place for $12,000.00 and started development. On October 5, 1900, Mr. Mosesian's wife and child arrived in Fresno from Armenia, together with his half brother, John Shahtanian. In 1902, Mr. Mosesian and Mr. Shahbazian dissolved partnership, the former retaining control of the half section of land and continuing to improve it, and he planted every grape vine himself. This is today what is known as the "Mosesian Home Ranch" at Parlier. It includes Muscat, Thompson and Malaga grapes, also peaches, apricots and figs.
In 1904, 1905 and 1906, Mr. Mosesian began extending his operations, leasing about 1400 acres in Fresno and Tulare counties. In 1907 he sold his lease holdings and entered the real estate business with George Nees in Fresno. Buying and selling, one of the largest parcels of land they acquired was the old Mineola vineyard on Ventura avenue. Later this vineyard was sold to O. J. Woodward. Mr. Mosesian continued in real estate operations until 1913, when he joined in the organizing of the California Associated Raisin company, the predecessor of the Sun-Maid corporation. Mr. Mosesian had begun to ship and pack fresh grapes for the Eastern market in 1910. His acquaintance in Boston enabled him to build up a large trade in raisins and table grapes for the New England market. Bad transportation conditions during the World war caused a loss to him of twenty-five carloads of fruit. Thereupon he erected his fire proof, concrete, brick and iron cold storage plant and warehouse on the Santa Fe reservation, Fresno, known as the State Center Warehouse and Coldstorage Co., Inc. This is a valuable asset due to the fact that a very large tonnage of grapes can he placed in cold storage and kept for late shipment and holiday trade.
In 1922, Mr. Mosesian incorporated his large properties in Fresno and Tulare counties under the name "Paul A. Mosesian & Sons, Inc." His holdings had increased to about 3000 acres, of good productive land. He has many varieties of grapes as well as tree fruits on his properties.
His properties were at Lindsay, Strathmore, Goshen, Parlier, Local', Fresno, Selma and Kerman. He took pride in his knowledge of soils. He developed two brands of fruit, "State Center and "State Pride," which always have sold at a premium. He shipped no goods except what his own vineyards produced. One of his great ambitions was to build up the old Fresno vineyard, which lies three miles east of Fresno on Ventura avenue, as a park and show place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosesian had five children: Moses P., Mary P., Louise P., Suren P., and Bernice P. Mosesian. All but the oldest son, were born in Fresno, and all reside here.
Mr. Mosesian was an earnest member of the Armenian Holy Trinity (Episcopalian) church. In 1920, he was president and treasurer of the Armenian Army fund organization. This society raised $200,000 for the stricken soldiers of Armenia. Of this fund, Mr. Mosesian donated $37,000. He also made large donations to various organizations, including the Community Chest, the Boy Scouts, and other public bodies. Mr. Mosesian was a Republican up to 1928, when he became a Democrat and voted for Al Smith.
On April 6, 1929, Mr. Mosesian was the victim of an automobile accident and died on April 11. At the funeral, April 15, six thousand people attended. Since his death his business is being carried on by his widow and children.
Mr. Mosesian had splendid foresight and extraordinary vitality and energy which enabled him to accomplish much for the fruit industry in the valley.
PAUL AGOP MOSESIAN
Paul A. Mosesian was for thirty years a prominent citizen of Fresno. He became one of the largest growers and shippers of fruit and one of the largest land owners in the San Joaquin Valley. He purchased and improved the old Fresno vineyard property east of the county seat, one of the pioneer agricultural developments of Fresno county.
Paul Agop Mosesian was a native of Armenia, born at Bazmashen, a suburb of Harpoot, Asiatic Turkey, March 21, 1871. His parents were Moses Agop and Soorpoohi Mosesian. The family traces its ancestry back to the fifteenth century in Armenia. In 1534 they settled at Harpoot and ever since have been noted citizens of that community.
Paul Mosesian received an elementary education in his native land, and was brought up to very strict observance of religious belief and conduct. His father dying when he was twelve years of age, he was forced to leave school, to take care of the family interests. He engaged in trade as well as in managing his father's farm.
In 1887, when but sixteen years of age, Mr. Mosesian came to America and went to work in a shoe factory at Lynn, Massachusetts, at 50 cents a day. In time he became head leather cutter at $40.00 a week. In five years he felt justified in returning to his native city to marry his childhood sweetheart, Twodi Garabedian.
For three years, 1892 to 1895, the young couple lived in Harpoot. It was a seriously adventurous time. The Turks were persecuting the Christians, and young Paul led a small band of defenders who fought and saved many Armenian lives during the massacres of 1895. In the disorder, the Turks destroyed all the Mosesian property. So, soon after the birth of his first son, Moses, Mr. Mosesian left his wife and child in the old country and made an extensive trip through Egypt, France and England, then returned to the United States, in 1896. He resumed work in the leather factory at Lynn, and in 1898 became a naturalized citizen of the United States, in Boston, Massachusetts.
At the beginning of the Alaskan gold rush of 1898, Mr. Mosesian and a chum, Markar Shahbazian, went to the Klondike together. They had plenty of adventure, but found very little gold, and on returning to San Francisco had only $307.00 between them. Hearing of Fresno, they came to this city and together rented a fig orchard at Del Rey. Their first enterprise in San Joaquin Valley farming was a profitable one. The price of figs rose from 2 cents to 6 cents a pound, and at the end of the season they had $1500.00 profit.
In the summer of 1899, Mr. Mosesian and his partner leased a half section of land east of Parlier, with only 40 acres of this improved to Muscat grapes. At the end of the season, they bought the place for $12,000.00 and started development. On October 5, 1900, Mr. Mosesian's wife and child arrived in Fresno from Armenia, together with his half brother, John Shahtanian. In 1902, Mr. Mosesian and Mr. Shahbazian dissolved partnership, the former retaining control of the half section of land and continuing to improve it, and he planted every grape vine himself. This is today what is known as the "Mosesian Home Ranch" at Parlier. It includes Muscat, Thompson and Malaga grapes, also peaches, apricots and figs.
In 1904, 1905 and 1906, Mr. Mosesian began extending his operations, leasing about 1400 acres in Fresno and Tulare counties. In 1907 he sold his lease holdings and entered the real estate business with George Nees in Fresno. Buying and selling, one of the largest parcels of land they acquired was the old Mineola vineyard on Ventura avenue. Later this vineyard was sold to O. J. Woodward. Mr. Mosesian continued in real estate operations until 1913, when he joined in the organizing of the California Associated Raisin company, the predecessor of the Sun-Maid corporation. Mr. Mosesian had begun to ship and pack fresh grapes for the Eastern market in 1910. His acquaintance in Boston enabled him to build up a large trade in raisins and table grapes for the New England market. Bad transportation conditions during the World war caused a loss to him of twenty-five carloads of fruit. Thereupon he erected his fire proof, concrete, brick and iron cold storage plant and warehouse on the Santa Fe reservation, Fresno, known as the State Center Warehouse and Coldstorage Co., Inc. This is a valuable asset due to the fact that a very large tonnage of grapes can he placed in cold storage and kept for late shipment and holiday trade.
In 1922, Mr. Mosesian incorporated his large properties in Fresno and Tulare counties under the name "Paul A. Mosesian & Sons, Inc." His holdings had increased to about 3000 acres, of good productive land. He has many varieties of grapes as well as tree fruits on his properties.
His properties were at Lindsay, Strathmore, Goshen, Parlier, Local', Fresno, Selma and Kerman. He took pride in his knowledge of soils. He developed two brands of fruit, "State Center and "State Pride," which always have sold at a premium. He shipped no goods except what his own vineyards produced. One of his great ambitions was to build up the old Fresno vineyard, which lies three miles east of Fresno on Ventura avenue, as a park and show place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosesian had five children: Moses P., Mary P., Louise P., Suren P., and Bernice P. Mosesian. All but the oldest son, were born in Fresno, and all reside here.
Mr. Mosesian was an earnest member of the Armenian Holy Trinity (Episcopalian) church. In 1920, he was president and treasurer of the Armenian Army fund organization. This society raised $200,000 for the stricken soldiers of Armenia. Of this fund, Mr. Mosesian donated $37,000. He also made large donations to various organizations, including the Community Chest, the Boy Scouts, and other public bodies. Mr. Mosesian was a Republican up to 1928, when he became a Democrat and voted for Al Smith.
On April 6, 1929, Mr. Mosesian was the victim of an automobile accident and died on April 11. At the funeral, April 15, six thousand people attended. Since his death his business is being carried on by his widow and children.
Mr. Mosesian had splendid foresight and extraordinary vitality and energy which enabled him to accomplish much for the fruit industry in the valley.
Paul A. Mosesian was for thirty years a prominent citizen of Fresno. He became one of the largest growers and shippers of fruit and one of the largest land owners in the San Joaquin Valley. He purchased and improved the old Fresno vineyard property east of the county seat, one of the pioneer agricultural developments of Fresno county.
Paul Agop Mosesian was a native of Armenia, born at Bazmashen, a suburb of Harpoot, Asiatic Turkey, March 21, 1871. His parents were Moses Agop and Soorpoohi Mosesian. The family traces its ancestry back to the fifteenth century in Armenia. In 1534 they settled at Harpoot and ever since have been noted citizens of that community.
Paul Mosesian received an elementary education in his native land, and was brought up to very strict observance of religious belief and conduct. His father dying when he was twelve years of age, he was forced to leave school, to take care of the family interests. He engaged in trade as well as in managing his father's farm.
In 1887, when but sixteen years of age, Mr. Mosesian came to America and went to work in a shoe factory at Lynn, Massachusetts, at 50 cents a day. In time he became head leather cutter at $40.00 a week. In five years he felt justified in returning to his native city to marry his childhood sweetheart, Twodi Garabedian.
For three years, 1892 to 1895, the young couple lived in Harpoot. It was a seriously adventurous time. The Turks were persecuting the Christians, and young Paul led a small band of defenders who fought and saved many Armenian lives during the massacres of 1895. In the disorder, the Turks destroyed all the Mosesian property. So, soon after the birth of his first son, Moses, Mr. Mosesian left his wife and child in the old country and made an extensive trip through Egypt, France and England, then returned to the United States, in 1896. He resumed work in the leather factory at Lynn, and in 1898 became a naturalized citizen of the United States, in Boston, Massachusetts.
At the beginning of the Alaskan gold rush of 1898, Mr. Mosesian and a chum, Markar Shahbazian, went to the Klondike together. They had plenty of adventure, but found very little gold, and on returning to San Francisco had only $307.00 between them. Hearing of Fresno, they came to this city and together rented a fig orchard at Del Rey. Their first enterprise in San Joaquin Valley farming was a profitable one. The price of figs rose from 2 cents to 6 cents a pound, and at the end of the season they had $1500.00 profit.
In the summer of 1899, Mr. Mosesian and his partner leased a half section of land east of Parlier, with only 40 acres of this improved to Muscat grapes. At the end of the season, they bought the place for $12,000.00 and started development. On October 5, 1900, Mr. Mosesian's wife and child arrived in Fresno from Armenia, together with his half brother, John Shahtanian. In 1902, Mr. Mosesian and Mr. Shahbazian dissolved partnership, the former retaining control of the half section of land and continuing to improve it, and he planted every grape vine himself. This is today what is known as the "Mosesian Home Ranch" at Parlier. It includes Muscat, Thompson and Malaga grapes, also peaches, apricots and figs.
In 1904, 1905 and 1906, Mr. Mosesian began extending his operations, leasing about 1400 acres in Fresno and Tulare counties. In 1907 he sold his lease holdings and entered the real estate business with George Nees in Fresno. Buying and selling, one of the largest parcels of land they acquired was the old Mineola vineyard on Ventura avenue. Later this vineyard was sold to O. J. Woodward. Mr. Mosesian continued in real estate operations until 1913, when he joined in the organizing of the California Associated Raisin company, the predecessor of the Sun-Maid corporation. Mr. Mosesian had begun to ship and pack fresh grapes for the Eastern market in 1910. His acquaintance in Boston enabled him to build up a large trade in raisins and table grapes for the New England market. Bad transportation conditions during the World war caused a loss to him of twenty-five carloads of fruit. Thereupon he erected his fire proof, concrete, brick and iron cold storage plant and warehouse on the Santa Fe reservation, Fresno, known as the State Center Warehouse and Coldstorage Co., Inc. This is a valuable asset due to the fact that a very large tonnage of grapes can he placed in cold storage and kept for late shipment and holiday trade.
In 1922, Mr. Mosesian incorporated his large properties in Fresno and Tulare counties under the name "Paul A. Mosesian & Sons, Inc." His holdings had increased to about 3000 acres, of good productive land. He has many varieties of grapes as well as tree fruits on his properties.
His properties were at Lindsay, Strathmore, Goshen, Parlier, Local', Fresno, Selma and Kerman. He took pride in his knowledge of soils. He developed two brands of fruit, "State Center and "State Pride," which always have sold at a premium. He shipped no goods except what his own vineyards produced. One of his great ambitions was to build up the old Fresno vineyard, which lies three miles east of Fresno on Ventura avenue, as a park and show place.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosesian had five children: Moses P., Mary P., Louise P., Suren P., and Bernice P. Mosesian. All but the oldest son, were born in Fresno, and all reside here.
Mr. Mosesian was an earnest member of the Armenian Holy Trinity (Episcopalian) church. In 1920, he was president and treasurer of the Armenian Army fund organization. This society raised $200,000 for the stricken soldiers of Armenia. Of this fund, Mr. Mosesian donated $37,000. He also made large donations to various organizations, including the Community Chest, the Boy Scouts, and other public bodies. Mr. Mosesian was a Republican up to 1928, when he became a Democrat and voted for Al Smith.
On April 6, 1929, Mr. Mosesian was the victim of an automobile accident and died on April 11. At the funeral, April 15, six thousand people attended. Since his death his business is being carried on by his widow and children.
Mr. Mosesian had splendid foresight and extraordinary vitality and energy which enabled him to accomplish much for the fruit industry in the valley.
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