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


SEROPIAN BROTHERS. Notwithstanding the misfortunes that have befallen the Armenian race 
through persecution in their own land, comparatively few of that nationality have sought 
homes in other countries. Representatives of the Seropian family were not only the first 
Armenians to settle in California, but among the first to come to the United States as well. The 
two brothers, John and George, are now at the head of a large fruit business in Fresno, which 
they incorporated April 22, 1902, under the name of Seropian Brothers, and reincorporated two 
years later as Seropian Brothers Company. Under their direct oversight and capable 
management has been built up one of the largest packing houses in California. The work is 
systematically divided, the younger brother having the management of the sales and finances, 
while the elder brother takes charge of the buying, also of the management of the packing 
house. The firm maintains a branch house in Chicago, and possesses every facility for the 
efficient and profitable conduct of a large and' responsible industry. 

The two brothers are natives of Marsovan, Armenia, George having been born in 1868, and 
John in 1870. Their father, a prosperous merchant, held a position of influence in his 
community, and was one of the leading members of the Congregational Church there. He was 
married twice, by his first union having five sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter 
now resides in Fresno county, and two sons died here. Two sons were born of his second 
marriage, John and George, and a daughter, who is now deceased. Two sons of the first 
marriage settled in Massachusetts about 1870 and founded the family in America. During the 
summer of 1880 the two younger sons joined them at Worcester, Mass., and in 1881 came with 
them to California, where they attended the Fresno public schools. Without any assistance they 
worked their own way, being for a time employed on farms in the Central Colon}'. For six years 
George continued in the employ of Mr. Babcock, receiving wages in the summer, but working 
for his board in the winter and attending school. At first the older brothers carried on a fruit 
business where the Grand Central hotel now stands, but the loss of the building and stock by 
fire left them without capital to begin again at once. A vineyard of twenty acres was then 
rented, which John and George cultivated so assiduously that the appearance of the property 
was greatly improved and the owner sold it at a fair profit. Later they turned their attention to 
the fruit business, at first selling from a wagon, and then opening a store on I street near 
Mariposa. As the trade increased a stock of groceries was added, and in time they became 
proprietors of a large store on Mariposa street. 

On disposing of the business the brothers began to improve a tract of land which they had 
previously purchased in Fresno colony, and improved it with thirty acres of raisins and other 
fruits. However, the sale of fruit possessed for them greater fascination than the growing of 
the same, and they soon returned to the fruit and produce business, and also managed a retail 
grocery, which was conducted on J street, under the name of Seropian Brothers. Somewhat 
later they moved near Fresno street on J, where they had a frontage of seventy-five feet. One 
side of the building was utilized for the receiving of the fruit, and the other side contained the 
packing department. So successful were their undertakings that they felt justified in 
discontinuing the grocery trade and devoting themselves wholly to fruit packing, in which they 
engaged on J street for four years. In 1898 they built a commodious packing house, fitted with 
every accommodation for their business, but were met with misfortune at the very outset by 
the destruction of the building in a fire, with only partial insurance. With an energy 
characteristic of their whole business career, they at once began to rebuild, and the new 
structure was completed in sixty days, a portion of it being three stories in height, and the 
whole 275x100 feet in dimensions, with facilities for shipment via the Santa Fe and Southern 
Pacific Railroads. Their specialty is seeded, raisins and figs, and they pride themselves on having 
been the pioneers in the shipment of figs, also of pound packages or bricks of California figs. 
Indeed, they deserve great credit for their work in introducing the figs of the state to the 
markets of the world, and creating a demand for what is now one of the profitable products of 
California. By means of machinery they have a capacity for seeding five cars of raisins per day, 
also of packing ten cars a day. The Honey Brand is their specialty in figs, while in raisins their 
leading brands are Seropian Best, Mount Whitney and Lotus. Shipments are made to every part 
of the United States, as well as to Germany, France, Holland and England. In addition to their 
principal packing house at Fresno, they operate similar establishments at Watsonville, 
Healdsburg, San Francisco, Lemoore and Tulare. Both brothers have made several trips through 
the eastern states and become personally acquainted with the trade, and are members of the 
Fresno Chamber of Commerce and the California Raisin Growers' Association. In political views 
they are stanch Republicans and loyal supporters of the government of their adopted country. 
John is married, his wife having been Miss Hazel Malikian, of Fresno. 

When it is remembered that the brothers came to California unfamiliar with the English 
language and with American customs, strangers in a strange land, and far removed from any of 
their own race, their courage and resolute spirit are worthy of the highest admiration. Amid 
surroundings that might have discouraged man)-, they pushed resolutely forward, working as 
opportunities offered, and constantly adding to their store of learning and experience. By 
degrees, without extraneous aid, they have built up a business that would reflect credit upon 
the ability of any of our native-born citizens. They have gained prominence and influence in 
their adopted city and throughout the entire San Joaquin valley.