Rupen Minassian settled in California during the Gold Rush of the 1840s. He then joined Mormon leader Brigham Young and became a farmer in Utah. Later, as a landowner, he bought silver mine, changed his name to Rupen Minas and became a pioneer in sugar manufacturing in Fresno.

Rupen Minassian settled in California during the Gold Rush of the 1840s. He then joined Mormon leader Brigham Young and became a farmer in Utah. Later, as a landowner, he bought silver mine, changed his name to Rupen Minas and became a pioneer in sugar manufacturing in Fresno.