Wistrom, Fred

Fred Wistrom was a native of Sweden who was born and raised on a farm before immigrating to the United States in 1882. After his arrival, he worked in St. Paul, Minnesota, and at a sawmill in Pinery, Wisconsin, before marrying Anna Charlotte Carlson in St. Paul in 1884. He was employed in a sash and door manufactory, ran a teaming business, and worked as an elevator operator in St. Paul until moving to Fresno, California, in 1900.

Upon settling in Fresno, Fred worked for Thomas Patterson and eventually became head janitor of the new Forsyth Building upon its erection in 1904. Through industrious efforts and real estate investments, including his purchase of Barton vineyard acreage on Belmont Avenue and his home at 403 Calaveras Avenue, he built a comfortable competency for his family. A devoted deacon and former treasurer of the Swedish Mission Church, he raised three children—Milton, Ellen, and Clinton—and earned the widespread respect of his community.