California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


GILLO EDWARD NORDGREN. For some years Mr. Nordgren has been at the head of a furniture 
and undertaking business that is one of the largest of its kind in the entire San Joaquin valley. 
Situated on the corner of Main and Alameda streets, his store occupies a site 50x150 feet in 
dimensions, with the undertaking establishment adjoining 25 x 80 feet in size. A gallery enables 
him to command a greater amount of space than otherwise possible for the display of furniture 
and carpets, a full assortment of which he constantly carries in stock, together with the latest 
styles in wall paper and interior finishings. For his work as undertaker he prepared by taking a 
course in Clark's Embalming School in Chicago, from which he was graduated. In addition to the 
management of his large business he acts as coroner and public administrator, having been 
elected to the office in 1902 by a majority of two hundred and fifty-five, for a term of four 
years. 

A native Californian, Mr. Nordgren was born at Saratoga, Santa Clara county, March 25, 1862, 
being a son of E. H. and Sophia Nordgren, who died at Saratoga. Both his father and grandfather 
were natives of Stockholm, Sweden, and the former learned the trade of a diamond setter in 
his native city, while the latter engaged in the occupation of a silver smith. Both came to 
America and settled in California during the early mining history of this state, having made the 
voyage hither by way of Cape Horn to San Francisco. For a time the father conducted a jewelry 
store on Montgomery street, San Francisco, but later gave his attention to setting out and 
caring for an orchard at Saratoga. However, his ability as a diamond setter was so extraordinary 
that his services were in demand for such work, and for twenty years he was employed in that 
occupation by a large jewelry establishment of San Francisco. At the time of his death, which 
occurred April 17, 1903, he had reached the age of eighty-three years; his wife had died in 1889. 
Both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church, whose doctrines they endeavored to 
exemplify in their lives. After coming to America and acquiring citizenship, he voted with the 
Republican party, but never was active in public affairs, nor desirous of holding local offices, 
preferring to devote himself to his chosen occupation. Of his three sons and one daughter, 
there are two sons now living, Gillo Edward being in Merced and Seth in Hollister. 

When eleven years of age Gillo Edward Nordgren removed with the family from Saratoga to 
San Francisco, where he spent the next few years in the grammar school. At the age of fifteen 
he began as an apprentice to the upholsterer's trade under W. J. Heeney & Co., with whom he 
served for two and one-half years. The following eighteen months were spent at his trade in 
Tombstone, Ariz., during the days of that mining town's remarkable prosperity. On his return to 
San Francisco he became an employe of the firm with which he had learned the trade, but 
three months later began to work for Clark & Co., in the same line. His residence in Merced 
dates from November 15, 1884, when he entered the employ of A. G. Clough in the furniture 
business, his work being in the upholstery department. It was his intention to remain only until 
after the holidays and then return to San Francisco, but the burning of the store caused a 
change in his plans and he remained to assist in the task of rebuilding, then became an employe 
in the furniture department. In 1890 he was admitted to partnership in the undertaking 
business, the firm title becoming Clough & Nordgren, but in 1899 he purchased the undertaking 
department and has since continued alone. 

After establishing himself in Merced Mr. Nordgren met and married Miss Emma Ludescher, 
who was born in Mariposa county, and has been of the greatest assistance to her husband by 
her counsel and co-operation. She is a daughter of Joseph Ludescher, a native of Alsace, who, 
upon immigrating to America, settled in California during the early history of this state. 
Throughout much of his life he followed the trade of a merchant tailor and built up a 
considerable trade in his line at Merced, where he resided during the last years of his life. 
Always pronounced in his allegiance to the Republican party, Mr. Nordgren has served as a 
member of the county central committee of his party and on that ticket was elected 
councilman, serving four years. In Masonry he is identified with LaGrange Lodge No. 99, F. & A. 
M. While following his trade at Tombstone he was initiated into the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and is now connected with Merced Lodge No. 208, also with the Encampment in that 
city. In addition he holds membership in the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen and Merced Parlor No. 24, N. S. G. W.