Jorgensen, Chris, Jr.

Born in Denmark in 1859, Chris Jorgensen was educated in Danish common and high schools and completed studies at an agricultural college before emigrating to the United States. Arriving in Fresno County in 1881, he worked in grain farming and land preparation before serving for twenty-one years as superintendent, stockholder, and associate manager of the American Vineyard Company, where he oversaw the development of over 600 acres of vineyards and built early raisin-packing infrastructure.

Jorgensen served on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for over fourteen years, holding the position of board chairman for a decade. During his tenure, he directed major public works projects, including the expansion of county hospitals, bridge construction over the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers, and the implementation of a $4,800,000 highway bond issue to pave 315 miles of county roads. Married to Hannah Larsen, with whom he had three children—Chris P., Boletta, and Fannie—Jorgensen was also a director of the Union National Bank, president of the Scandinavian Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a director of the California Peach Growers, Inc., and a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Mason.