Aram Harry MELIKIAN

Birth:
16 Mar 1886
Bitlis, Bitlis, Armenia
Death:
11 Jan 1971
Fresno, Fresno, California
Marriage:
1912
Fresno, Fresno, California
Sources:
Internet IGI, Sep 2007
Social Security Death Index
World War I Draft Registration Card
1930 Census - Township 11, Fresno, CA
1920 Census - Vinland, Fresno, CA
California to Hawaii Passenger List, Traveled apr 1948 with wife and Yervant and Zabel Melikian
1940-1997 CA Death Index - SFgenealogy.com, Aram and Cora listed, no mother's maiden names listed
Fresno Naturalization Records, Aram Melikian, 12 Dec 1921
Notes:
                   SSDI lists birth place as Russia

Immigrated in 1905, papers in by 1920, naturalized by 1930

OCCUPATION: Winery owner.  Details in notes.

Occupation - Originally published in 1955, reprinted on http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/fresno2.shtml :
FRESNO COUNTY
Alta Vineyards Company, Fresno
This corporation, also doing business as Cameo Vineyards Company, is the successor to many a famous name in the history of the California wine industry. Beverly W. Goldthwaite is president and general manager of the company, D. S. Davis vice-president, and Margaret Shahenian secretary and treasurer.
In 1949 the corporation, then newly formed, purchased the brands and listings of the old Alta Winery, formerly of Dinuba, Tulare County, where the colorful personality of Charlie Dubbs was for many years its leading light. The next year Alta bought the Cameo Winery, its present location, along with the Cameo brands and inventories. The vineyards were planted by Ed Melikian, president of the old Cameo Vineyards Company, Aram Melikian, and Ed Merzoian. Cecil Melikian, the nephew of the former Cameo president, is Alta's assistant manager.
Alta Vineyards Company is also the successor to the Mattei name and interests. It was around a89o that Andrew Mattel, a native of Switzerland, founded his enterprise, planting vineyards near Malaga, southeast of Fresno, and building his winery nearby. For many years the Mattel name loomed large in the California wine industry and one of Alta's brands still carries his name.
A new co-operative of wine grape growers was formed in the fall of 1954, Cameo Growers, who contracted with Alta for the making and selling of wine from their grapes.
The winery's two principal brands are Alta and C.V.C. (Cameo Vineyards Company), used for a full line of dessert and table wines, while Croix Royale is used for the older wines. Dessert wines are the company's primary business.
Aperitif and Dessert wines:
Alta and C.V.C.: Sherry, Port, Muscatel, Tokay, and White Port; Alta: Dry and Sweet Vermouth; Croix Royale: Pale Dry Sherry, Tawny Port, Muscatel; Dry and Sweet Vermouth.
Table wines:
Alta and C.V.C.: Burgundy, Zinfandel, and Claret; Sauterne and Rhine.
Alta Vineyards Company also has a number of other brands, including Cameo, Mattel, Mattevista, Scatena, and St. Charles, some of which have been famous at one time or another in the history of the California wine industry.
                  
Koharig DOMBALIAN
Birth:
8 Mar 1897
Samsun, Trabizon, Turkey
Death:
21 Apr 1985
Fresno, California
Notes:
                   Immigrated 1912.  Birth place  taken from Aram Melikian's naturalization records.

NAME:  Koharig or Cora
                  
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Notes:
                   OBITUARY:  Included in notes.

OBITUARY: Beloved matriarch of the Ashjian family, passed away on October 31, 2002, at the age of 88. She was born Florence Melikian, to the late Aram and Koharig Melikian, pioneer members of the Armenian Community of Fresno. Aram Melikian was a respected valley farming leader. Her family were pillars of the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno. Florence's Christian upbringing was the foundation which sustained her during her entire life. Florence graduated from Kerman High School, later to marry John M. Ashjian, a Deputy Fresno County Clerk, who later became Fresno County Chief Probation Officer. Mr. Ashjian's reputation for his work with the youth of Fresno County is legendary. His untimely death at the age of 44, in 1955, left a void not only in his young family but also the community as a whole. In the early 1970's his memory was honored with the dedication of Fresno County's Juvenile Detention facility on Ventura Avenue in his name. Florence never remarried, but devoted her life to raising her four children and caring for her elderly parents until their deaths. The former Ashjian home on the corner of Indianapolis and Del Mar Avenues was always open to her children's friends. It appeared that her font lawn was more of an athletic field and the driveway a car lot by the many friends of the popular Ashjian children, who were made so welcome by Florence. She was a second mother to all of them. Florence was a jewel. She was loved by all, whether it be the Clerks at the former Continental Market, the gas station attendants, or her fellow members of the Fidelis Society of First Armenian Presbyterian Church, and her cherished neighbors. The antics of her three boys could always be overlooked by an assurance of an ever gracious Florence, and that beautiful smile. As her children grew older and married, their spouses were so accepted and loved by Florence. She was always supportive of her children's business ventures and was there when they needed her. The absence of a Dad was never a disadvantage, as Florence made sure she was there for all of life's challenges. In the more recent years, due to her failing health, Florence had been cared by her children in their homes. In addition to her parents and husband, Florence was preceded in death by her brothers, Leo Melikian, Vaughn Melikian and Paul Melikian; her several cousins, including her very close cousin and confidant, Madeline Moradian Markarian; and by a grandson, Zachary Ashjian. Florence is survived by her children, Terry Ashjian and his wife Dawna of Las Vegas, Jim Ashjian and his wife Terran, and Lee Ashjian and his wife Debbie, and Kathi Andersen and her husband Flindt, all of Fresno. She is the beloved "MiMi" to 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Margaret Melikian and Marian Melikian; her cousins Raquel Normart, Ray Melikian and Marilyn Hodge; her many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Funeral Services in Florence's memory will be held at the First Armenian Presbyterian Church of Fresno, on Wednesday, November 6, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Belmont Memorial Park. Remembrances may be made to the Hospice of St. Agnes Medical Center.
                  
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FamilyCentral Network
Aram Harry Melikian - Koharig Dombalian

Aram Harry Melikian was born at Bitlis, Bitlis, Armenia 16 Mar 1886. His parents were Haroutun Melikian and Marmar Fundugh.

He married Koharig Dombalian 1912 at Fresno, Fresno, California . Koharig Dombalian was born at Samsun, Trabizon, Turkey 8 Mar 1897 daughter of Krikor Dombalian and Esther Abrahamian .

They were the parents of 5 children:
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Aram Harry Melikian died 11 Jan 1971 at Fresno, Fresno, California .

Koharig Dombalian died 21 Apr 1985 at Fresno, California .