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


JOHN CHIODI� John Chiodi was born at San Benedetto del Tronto, 
in the Province of Ascoli Piceno, in eastern Italy, January 6, 1876, and 
began as clerk in a mercantile store at the tender age of nine years. Later, 
he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, and in 1903, when twenty- 
seven years of age, came to the United States in quest of a larger field of 
activity. For one year he clerked in a store just outside of the city of Chicago, 
Ill., and in 1905 came to San Francisco, Cal., where he was in the employ of 
the Italian Swiss Colony Company for a period of one and a half years. He 
afterward followed the fishing business on the Sacramento River in Solano 
County, buying fish for the San Francisco market. 

In 1909 Mr. Chiodi came to Fresno and opened a billiard hall and cigar 
store at No. 1513 Fresno Street, where he remained until 1914, when he 
opened his present wholesale and retail cigar store and billiard hall at No. 
1147 G Street. He is a prosperous and successful business man of Fresno, a 
leader in the local Italian colony of Fresno County, and enjoys a wide and 
well-deserved personal popularity among his countrymen. He has been of 
untold assistance to his fellow-countrymen, working for their interests and 
representing them in many important events taking place in the city. 

Mr. Chiodi was one of the organizers of the Italian Division of the Or- 
der of Owls, No. 1010, of Fresno, and since the inception of the order in 
Fresno in 1911 has served as its president. He is also a member of the Eagles. 
He was chairman of the Italian committee at the celebration of Britain Day 
in Fresno on December 7 and 8 and was an associate member of the legal 
advisory board on the Draft Board of Fresno County. During the late 
war he "did his share in the purchase of Liberty Bonds. 

Mrs. Chiodi was in maidenhood Emma Giordani, also a native of Italy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chiodi reside in their own home at 938 Fresno Street. They 
are the parents of six children� Emil, Matilda, Frances, Enrica, May and 
Victoria, by name.