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


JOSEPH GIARDINA. � A resident in Fresno County who came here in 
the late nineties and who struggled to get ahead and away from conditions 
most discouraging, and has "made good," and seen that his children should 
receive the education necessary for them to attain to success, is Joseph 
Giardina, who was born in Palermo, Sicily, February 11, 1861 and educated 
in the Italian public schools. When just eighteen he took the great step and 
sailed for New York, where he arrived as poor as the thousands sweltering 
and contesting for their daily bread. The first opportunity opened to him 
was that of the barber's trade. But he was not satisfied to fight hour after 
hour for existence in the east, and before it was too late, he packed all his 
belongings and made for the more Golden West. 

In 1881 he arrived at San Francisco, where he worked for awhile at his 
trade and then located in Astoria, Ore. There he opened a general store for 
the sale of cigars, provisions, imported goods, etc., and this he carried on with 
success until 1897. In that year he came to Fresno, and since then he has 
here resided, identifying himself more and more with the city and the county. 
For a while he engaged in the fish business on Fresno Street, and carried 
on a large wholesale and retail store. After seventeen years in that line, 
when he had become very well and very favorably known, he sold out and 
opened a cigar store on Tulare Street, where he also did a retail and a whole- 
sale business. In 1916 he removed to his present place at 1141 I Street. 
Besides his investments in this line of activity, Mr. Giardina owns valuable 
real estate in Fresno, and has been successful in both buying and selling 
property. His judgment is good, and often sought by others, and he is wide- 
awake to perceive a bargain where others, also able to run, but unable to 
read, pass by the golden opportunity. 

Some years ago Mr. Giardina married Annie Leonard, a native of Scot- 
land, and by her he has had five children. Although all were born in 
Astoria, none could be inspired with more of the native Californian spirit 
than they. A daughter is Mrs. Joseph Greco, she lives at Fresno with one 
child ; a son is Joseph ; another son. Purcel L., is married and has one child 
to bless his home ; the fourth in order of birth is now Mrs. Constance Blaird 
of Stockton, and the mother of a child; while the youngest is Airs. Camillia 
Russ, of Fresno, the mother of a child.