California Biographies 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 JOHN C. RORDEN. As president and general manager of the Selma Land Company, which was incorporated under the laws of the state of California August 3, 1900, with principal place of business in Selma, Fresno county, John C. Rorden is thoroughly conversant upon all the advantages of this section, having been a resident of this immediate vicinity since 1888. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land adjacent to Selma on the east, conducts a dairy of fifty head of cattle, has eighty acres in alfalfa, and one hundred acres of unimproved land near by. Born May 28, 1864, in Schleswig, Germany, also the birthplace of his parents, Mr. Rorden is the fourth child born in a family of nine, eight of whom were sons. His father, Heinrich F. Rorden, was for many years captain of a sailing vessel, but spent the latter part of his life in retirement in his native land. He married Tinne D. Jensen, who still survives him, resid- ing in Germany. Acquiring a common school education in Germany, after leaving school Mr. Rorden emulated the example of his father and went to sea. For three years thereafter he was a sailor on the William English, and during this time he made two trips around Cape Horn to Valparaiso, in addition to visiting the principal ports of England, Holland, France and other parts of Europe. In 1883 he decided to abandon sea life and settle permanently in the United States. Locating in Mendocino county, Cal., he was employed for a brief time in the lumber mills. On account of ill health, he went to the hospital at San Francisco, where he received treatment, and while recuperating engaged as cook in a hotel, subsequently spend- ing one year in the United States laundry of that place. His next place of residence was Vallejo, and during his six months' stay there, he learned the barber's trade and then followed this occupation for some time in San Francisco and in Alameda. Returning to San Francisco in 1885 he worked in the Grand Central barber shop in that city for three years, and September 28, 1888, he found a desirable business opening in Selma, in Fresno county, and, opening a barber shop in the Whitson hotel, he began business in his own behalf. He subsequently re- moved his shop to Front street and in connection, purchased a saloon which he afterward sold, but continued to conduct the shop until 1902. In October, 1901, Mr. Rorden decided to engage in the real estate and insurance business, and at that time he purchased an interest in the Selma Land Company, and has been presi- dent of this company ever since. During the first year of his connection with this firm, over a quarter of a million dollars' worth of land changed hands through its efforts. The com- pany acts as land agent, buying, selling and renting lands, also lending money at lowest rates of interest, making a specialty of looking after town and country property for non-residents. But the main object of the company is to induce homeseekers to settle there, presenting argu- ments to show that in the six townships of choice lands directly tributary to Selma, there is room for a population of fifty thousand people. Aside from his interests already mentioned, Mr. Rorden owns considerable stock in the Sel- ma Creamery, in the Farmers' Bank of which he is a director, and in the Selma Improvement Company. He is quite active in politics, using both his vote and influence in behalf of the Democratic party. In fraternal circles he is a valued member of the Foresters of America and Woodmen of the World. By his marriage in Selma he was united with Miss Georgia Levis, a Wisconsin lady, and their home is made happy by the presence of three children, Dora, Geo and Helen.