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


V. KIRKORIAN. � People living in a country of persecution lose their 
initiative and become indifferent or discouraged, and many a man who under 
other environment might have been a credit to himself and his family, is un- 
able to contribute anything to the growth and progress of his community. 
Given an abiding-place in a world where he may feel that what he accumu- 
lates is his own, then the man in him is aroused, and he finds, like Mr. Kirko- 
rian, an incentive for the development of his faculties and the devotion of his 
energies to a worthy end. Mr. Kirkorian is a very enterprising Armenian, 
who is fast coming to the front in Fresno. He owns the Boston Grocery 
Store, the brick mill where "Bolghor" is made, and a fifty-acre ranch four 
miles east of Fresno. 

Bolghor is the ancient Armenian cereal, and is fast coming into favor 
in this country. Mr. Kirkorian started its manufacture a few years ago, and 
the business prospered to such an extent that in 1917 he built a brick estab- 
lishment eighty-five by ninety-five feet in size, and this he uses exclusively 
in its manufacture. He uses only Sonora wheat of the best quality, and while 
the process of manufacture is largely secret it may be said that the wheat 
undergoes thorough fanning, screening and a system of sterilization by means 
of boiling and drying before it is pearled and ground. There are four grades : 
Pearled wheat, and Numbers One. Two and Three Bolghor. His product is 
sent to all quarters of the United States, and he is building up a great indus- 
try. He has now the largest mill and business of its kind in the country. The 
capacity is two tons of wheat per day, but the exigencies of war limited him 
to seventy-five tons per year. Before the war he used as high as 125 tons 
per year. The plant is certain to be one of the substantial concerns of Fresno. 

Mr. Kirkorian was born at Moush, Armenia, Turkey, September 7, 1869. 
He was reared, baptized and confirmed in the Armenian Church. His father 
was a farmer, a grain and tobacco grower. His name was Mgerdich Kirko- 
rian, and he died when his son was twelve years of age. The mother was 
Sanam Ohornesian, who died in Turkey after her son had come to America, 
twenty-three years ago. He is the only one of the family now living. 

Mr. Kirkorian learned farming on his father's farm in Turkey. He en- 
tered the Armenian mission school at Bitlis, Turkey, a Congregational in- 
stitution, and there learned English, in addition to the Armenian and Turkish 
languages, which he also learned there. In 1892 he came to America, landing 
in New York. He found employment in factories in New Britain, Conn., and 
remained here for twelve years. During this time he married Miss Doshgohe 
Garabedian, who was educated in the girls' mission school at Bitlis, and they 
are the parents of seven children: Ardzroni, nicknamed "Arizona," works on 
the ranch ; Annie assists her father in the store. These two were born in Con- 
necticut. Then there are Ralph. Julia, Edward, Grace and Berger, born in 
California, who are in school. The family came to California in 1902. and 
settled in Fresno County. For one year Mr. Kirkorian was employed in do- 
ing farm work, and then came to Fresno and began his business career, first 
with a meat market. Afterwards he bought a fruit store, and finally entered 
into the manufacture of Bolghor. In this he uses electric power, furnished 
by the San Joaquin Light & Power Corporation. The plant has stone burrs, 
and a set of grinders, polishers and sifters. 

In politics Mr. Kirkorian is a Democrat. He is a progressive, active man, 
interested in all the things that make for growth in character and environ- 
ment, and with his family, he occupies an important place in the community.