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


GUS. CHRISTOPHER.� The acknowledged leader of the Greek Colony 
at Fresno, Gus. Christopher, is one of the city's enterprising and successful 
business men. The high esteem in which he is held in the community is best 
evidenced by the fact of his being chosen as an ex-officio member of the ex- 
ecutive committee to represent the Greek nation at the great celebration of 
"Britain Day" held in the City of Fresno, on December 7-8, 1918. Gus. Chris- 
topher is a native of Greece, born at Eperos, May 22, 1882. After leaving 
school he was for six years engaged in mining for iron, copper and silver, in 
Greece and France. 

Possessed with a desire to seek his fortune in America, where so many 
of his countrymen had gained success in various lines of endeavor, Mr. Chris- 
topher emigrated to the United States in 1902, coming as far West as Spokane. 
Wash., where he entered the hotel and cafe business, subsequently locating 
at Bellingham, in the same state, where he was engaged in the bakery bus- 
iness. In 1905 Mr. Christopher came to San Francisco, Cal., where he con- 
ducted a cafe and continued in business there until 1910, when he bought the 
Pleasanton Cafe, in Fresno, and at once remodeled, refitted and improved it 
to such an extent that it was regarded afterwards as the finest modern cafe 
in the city. He continued to own and operate the Pleasanton Cafe until Jan- 
uary, 1915. Gus. Christopher is possessed of keen foresight and splendid 
business management, and the concensus of opinion among his friends and 
business associates is, that in all he undertakes he is eminently successful. 
In 1914 he purchased the Bijou Photo Theatre, 1137 J Street, Fresno, and 
since he has operated the theatre has remodeled it, made many needed im- 
provements, installed a new ventilating system, two "Powers" operating 
machines, electric piano, and a new screen. The Bijou is now considered 
the best short-show theatre in the state. Mr. Christopher has demonstrated 
his good business judgment by investing his money in Fresno realty. Among 
his holdings are two lots at Van Ness and Stanislaus Streets, where he con- 
templates erecting apartment houses ; and the Parker Lyons residence on 
Van Ness and Calaveras Streets, which he recently purchased as an invest- 
ment. In 1910 he bought a forty-acre ranch in the Perrin Colony. For two 
years he raised tobacco on this ranch, but in 1913 planted it to figs. 

Fraternally, Mr. Christopher was made a Mason in Fresno Lodge, No. 
247, F. & A. M., at Fresno, in 1912. He has taken all degrees up to and includ- 
ing the Mystic Shrine. He was the founder and is the president of the local 
Greek Society, "Hellenic Progressive Society," an organization conducted 
along educational lines for the promotion of friendship and cooperation be- 
tween Americans and Greeks. George Voenes is vice-president; N. D. Nitsos, 
secretary, and S. M. Lagudis, treasurer. Mr. Christopher is a very progressive 
and prosperous citizen is highly respected among his large circle of friends.