On March 27, 1942, Rev. Andrew Y. Kuroda of the Salem Japanese Community Church completed a census of Japanese American Families living in Salem and Brook, Oregon.  This list was found in the collections of the Oregon-Idaho United Methodist Church Archives in Salem.  It is transcribed here for reference because it provides a unique look into Salem’s Japanese American community on the brink of tragedy.

Forced Removal

Civilian Exclusion Order No. 91. National Archives and Records Administration

On May 22, 1942 Civilian Exclusion Order No. 91 was issued in San Francisco by Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army J.L. Dewitt.  It ordered that:

After 12 o’clock noon, P.W.T., of Wednesday June 3, 1942, all persons of Japanese ancestry, both alien and non-alien, be excluded from that portion of Military Area No. 1 described here as follows: All the counties of Lincoln, Polk, Marion, Benton and Linn and all the portion of the counties of Jefferson and Deschutes, State of Oregon, lying west of US Highway No. 97.

Additionally the order provided that all families register and prepare for removal and restricted travel, requiring permits for the simplest trips.

On June 3, families from the Salem area gathered at the train depot.  Unlike counterparts in Portland and other parts of the state, individuals in the Salem area were not sent to so called “Assembly Centers,” but rather boarded the train directly bound of incarceration camp at Tule Lake, California.

Map of area Civilian Exclusion Order No. 91 declared prohibited for Americans of Japanese Ancestry. Source: National Archives and Records Administration.

Families Scattered

After the trauma of forced removal from their homes and livelihoods, many families chose not to return to the Mid-Willamette Valley.  Through research for several exhibits, we have found some really great oral history interviews done with families, but scattered in their new home communities across the country.  The final section of this page is a sourcebook and list of materials organized by surname for those wanting to do further research.

Transcription of Document

Notes on transcription.

In some cases we have spelled out abbreviations, when we thought abbreviations may be confusing (example O.S.C. refers to Oregon State College, an early name for the school that is now Oregon State University, etc.).

Each household is numbered and the surname given with the address and if present the phone number.  Individuals within the household are listed after.

Notes on abbreviations from the original document:

*Status in Christian Church Key
C- Member;  P-Prospect; B- to be baptized

** Car Key
S = sedan; CP = Coupe; T = Truck; P = Pickup; Tr = Tractor;

List of Japanese Residents of Salem and Brooks, Ore.

No. Family Name (number of family members) First Name Sex Age Citizenship Special Skill Status in Christian Church Cars**
1 Fukuda (2) R.2. Box 326, Salem (2-2433)
Joe Y. M Detained
Kose F 44 J Farming No 1 S
Harry Kunio M 27 US P 1 P
2. Fukuda (4) R. 2 Box 348, Salem (2-2436)
Roy K. M Detained
Nobu F 59 J Grocery P 1 s
Mikiye F 38 US 1 t
Suzie F 28 US Typing C
Frank M 25 US Store Kp. C
3. Imagawa (4) R.1, Box 256 Brooks
Ayajiro M 59 J Farming B 1 s
Tatsuyo F 37 J Farming B 1 t
Martha F 17 US C 1 tr
Tom M 15 US C
4. Inouye (8) R.3, Box 832, Salem (Indpendence 1584)
Sanji M 58 J Farming No 1s
Taru F 49 J Farming No 1t
Yoshiko F 22 US No
Mary F 20 US No In Corvallis
Ritsuko F 21 US No
Tomiko F 18 US No
Miyuki F 16 US No
Shingo M 15 US No
Matsue F 11 US No
5. Ishida (3) R. 7, Box 233 H, Salem (2-1298)
Nobu F 49 J Farming No
George M 25 US In Army No
Sam M 20 US Farming No
Matsue F 17 US No
6. Kaneko (7) R.1, Box 264, Brooks
Yagoro M 56 J Farming C
Yori F 52 J Farming C
Hiroshi M 25 US Farming C
Dorothy F 22 US C
Roy M 21 US C O.S.C (Oregon State College
Harry M 16 US B
Lily F 14 US C
Rulie F 13 US B
7. Kawata (6) R.1., Box 254, Brooks
Minoru M 43 J Farming No 1s
Yasue F 38 J Farming P 1t
Toyoko F 16 US C 1tr
Hisako F 15 US B
Nobuko F 13 US B
Yoshie F 12 US B
8. Kinoshita (3) R.1 Box 264 Brooks
Masato M 28 US Farming P 1s
Haruko F 23 US Farming P
Florence F 7/12 US
9. Kuroda (3) R.7, Box 260 Salem (2-2010)
Andrew Y. M 31 J Ministry C 1s
Julia N. F 25 US Education C
Francis O. M 2/12 US B
10. Kyono (10) R.7, Box 274, Salem
Yoshitomo M 41 J Farming C 1s
Okino F 39 J Farming C 1t
Koto F 19 US C 1tr At WillametteU.
Masatoki M 17 US C
Yutaka M 16 US C
Susumu M 14 US B
Ray M 12 US B
Kuma F 59 J Farming P
John M 24 US In Army C
Ted M 23 US Farming C
Sakae F 13 US B
11. Morioka (4) R. 7 Box 245 Salem (2-2909)
Jack Chisato M 43 J Farming P 1 s
Chisao F 36 J Farming P 1t
Glen M 18 US 1tr
George M 13 US
12. Murata (1) R.2, Box 351, Salem
Tamekichi M 46 J Farming No 1s
13. Nakamura (3) R.2, Box 188, Salem
John M 59 J Farming No 1s
Tsuru F 47 J No
Masaye F 24 US No
14. Ogura (9) R.1, Box 265, Brooks ( Phone 2-2905)
Charles K. M 59 J Farming B 1s
Chiyo F 44 Canada Farming B 1cp
Tommy M 25 US Farming C 2t
Toshiko F 21 US B 1p
Patsy F 5/12 US B 1tr
Minnie F 22 US C
Sumi F 21 US C Oregon State College
Richard M 15 US B
Henry M 13 US B
Esther F 10 US B
15. Ogura (2) R.1, Box 265, Brooks
Fred M 46 J P 1 s
Sayo F 47 J P
Virginia F 22 US C Oregon State College
16. Osaki (3) R.1, Box 265, Brooks
James T. M 37 J Cooking P 1s
Martha F 29 US Cooking C
Ronald M 2 US B
17. Okuda (2) R.2. Box 352, Salem
Enso M 63 J Farming C 1s
Taka F 52 J Farming C 1t
Martha A. F 24 US C U.W. Soc. Teach
18. Oye (3) R.2. Box 326 Salem
Inokichi M 63 J Farming No 1s
Tao F 62 J Farming No 1t
Tom M 23 US In Army C
Maye F 19 US B Willamette University
19. Semba (4) R.1., Box 235 Brooks
Tom T. M 38 J Farming C 1s
Yukie F 25 US Farming P 1t
Toshio M 6 US P
Hiroko F 2 US P
20. Shishido (3) R.2 Box 349, Salem
Mansaku M 56 J Farming B 1s; 1 tr
Tomo F 50 J Farming C 1t
Hiroshi M 21 US Farming C 1p
21. Sugai (5) R.2., box 254, Salem
Fred M 24 US Farming C 1s
Mary F 23 US No 1p
Maxine F 1 US No 1tr
Rose F 13 US
Ray M 15 US
22. Takayama(5) R.1, Box 260Brooks (2-2900)
Frank Y. M 59 J Farming B 1 s
Koye F 46 J Farming B 2 t
Kenneth M 23 US In Army P 1p
Mary F 21 US C 1 tr In Los Angeles
Anna F 19 US C
Lorraine F 18 US C
Betty F 16 US C
23. Tanaka (6) 222.5 N. Commerical St Salem (4624)
Teruhiko M 53 J Cooking No 1s
Mrs. F J Cooking No
Paul M 23 US In Army C
Helen F 21 US B
Henry M 19 US C Willamette University
Hazel F 10 US B
Harriet F 7 US B
24. Tamiyasu (6) R.1, Box 251 Brooks
Shigeto M 43 J Farming No 1s
Kisayo F 38 J Farming No 1p
Masso M 19 US P 1t Oregon State College
Mikio M 15 US P 1tr
Harue F 17 US No
Toshiko F 14 US No
Suzuko F 12 US No
25. Tanizaki (4) R.1, Box 261, Brooks
Masaru M 47 J Farming No 1s
Satoyo F 44 J Farming No 1t
Frank M 21 US In Army No
Masso M 20 US No In Weet Port
Kenneth M 11 US No
Albert M 6 US No
26. Tomita (1) R.2, Box 349, Salem
Tetsuro M 26 US Farming C 1t
27. Tsukamoto (6) R.7, Box 233 H, Salem
Hisakichi M 55 J Laundry No
Kiku F 47 J Laundry No
Hisaki M 18 US No
Haruko F 16 US No
Masako F 14 US No
Kasumi M 11 US No
28 Tokimoto (2) R.1., Box 264, Brooks
Hideo M 23 US Aviation Engineering C
Tadao M 21 US Farming C
29. Umemoto (5) R.1., Box 252, Brooks
Otoichi M 61 J Farming No 1s
Fumio F 47 J Farming No 1t
Martha F 17 US P
Michi F 14 US P
Giro M 12 US P
30. Usui (5) R.3, Box 919, Salem (2-3053)
Harry S. M 59 J Farming No 1s
Kise F 55 J Farming No 1t
George M 28 US Farming No
Tsuyuko F 25 US No
Michiko F 23 US No
31. Watanabe (5) 1555 B St, Salem (6276) 1 t
Suekichi M 62 J Cleaning, Dye Work C
Chiyo F 55 J Invalid C
Shigenobu M 31 US Cleaning, Dye Work C
Martha F 25 US Cleaning, Dye Work C
Kenji M 2? US B
Taul M 21 US C In Seattle Law
Michiko F 23 US C In Seattle, YW Worker)
32. Yada(5) R.7, Box 271, Salem (2-2977)
Jim Misso M 56 J Farming C 1S
Hatsue F 47 J Farming C 1cp
Tatsuro M 25 US Physical Education 1t
Kimi F 21 US 1p
Edward K. M 19 US 1tr Oregon State College
Josaku M 17 US
33. Yoshikai(6) R.7, Box 272, Salem
Utaro M 62 J Farming P 1 s
Tora F 50 J Farming C 1 t
Yoshie F 19 US C
Lillie F 18 US C
Tom M 16 US C
Henry M 15 US C
34. Yoshimoto(8) R.2, Box 326, Salem
Mitsujiro M 60 J Farming No 1s
Koi F 44 J Farming No 1p
Mitsue F 21 US No
Hoshie F 19 US No
Katsuko F 17 US No
Ruby F 15 US No
Mitsuaki M 13 US No
Tsukiye F 9 US No

Family Stories and Resources

Roy Fukuda Family. Courtesy of the Fukuda Family.

Biography extracted from Japanese Voices from the Northwest exhibit booklet created by the Salem Multicultural Institute in 2009 written and researched by Maka Hayashi-Mayfield, Erin Zyset and Mark Murakami:

Born in Okayama, Japan, in 1875 Roy K. Fukuda immigrated to Oregon in the late 1800s in search of opportunity.  He worked on railroads and farmed for several years in other parts of the state.  In the early 1900s, he moved to the Brooks area.  Today, Fukuda is the man who is largely credited with starting the Japanese community in the Salem area, but at that time he was just trying to make a living in his new home.  Fukuda and [Madison Lafayette Jones] shared a vision of what Lake Labish could be, and Fukuda succeed in convincing many of his former railroad and farm worker friends, as well as some people from Japan, to join him.  M.L. [Jones] arranged to lease approximately 100 acres of his land to Fukuda, who in turn leased small acreages to various Japanese tenant farmers.  By the early 1930s, the small community had grown to about 250 people (about 36 families) who farmed 5 to 10 acres each.

These were the Depression years.  The Japanese community, like so many others around the country struggled to make a living.  But the Japanese had a long tradition of coaxing great production from limited natural resources through hard, manual labor.  Quality land is scarce in mountainous Japan.  As a result, greenhouses have been used there for centuries.  Greenhouses allowed farmers to start plants and grow vegetables even in the winter months.  In Lake Labish, the greenhouses were used to produce two corps a year of celery and lettuce, two of the highest-priced crops in the country…The Lake Labish farmers also planted directly in the fields.  Crops like onions, spinach, mint and other “money” crops were hardly enough to start from seed.  However, it was the celery crop that made Lake Labish famous.  By 1913, Fukuda had developed the “Golden Plume,” a white variety of celery that was said to be highly favored because of its delicate taste.  People as far as the East Coast clamored for Fukuda’s Golden Plume, which only grew in Lake Labish.

In 1925, at the behest of Jones, and because of Golden Plume’s popularity Senator Charles L. McNary paid a visit to the Fukuda farm as a way to promote the community and its products.  To show his appreciation, Fukuda sent a sample of the celery to Senator McNary and to President Coolidge.  Later Fukuda recieved a letter form the White House thanking him.  McNary’s senatorial colleagues also praised the celery as “the most delicious they had ever eaten.”  By the 1930s celery production by the growers association increased to 700 carloads a year.  The high demand for this product led Fukuda to form a co-operative, the Labish Celery Growers Union.  Later a second co-op was created as the market expanded.

Other Resources:

Pioneer Cemetery Biography of Roy Fukuda written by Bryan Fukuda

Primary Sources

Hayesville (Oregon) Primary Division March 1934. WHC Collections 2020.004.0004. Matsuye Ishida is girl at far left in 2nd row.

Photos of Matsuye Ishida in the Willamette Heritage Center Collections:

  • March 1934 Hayesville Primary Division (see image above) 2020.004.0004
  • April 1935 Hayesville Primary Division WHC Collections 2020.004.0003
  • April 1938 Hayesville Advanced WHC Collections 2020.004.0005
  • April 1936 Hayesville Intermediate Division.  WHC Collections 2020.004.0006
  • April 1939 Hayesville Seventh and Eighth. WHC Collections 2020.004.0007

Parents

Children
Minoru Carl Kawata (1899-1966) Toyoko Kawata Hirata
Yasue Kawata Hisako Kawata
Nobuko Irene Kawata Nakagawa
Kathryn Yoshie Kawata Nitta (1929-2008)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Heart Mountain -> Portland/Philadephlia/Salem/Brooks

Minoru Kawata was born in Japan on 6 Oct 1899 and immigrated to the U.S. possibly as early as 1907. By 1920, he resided at Chemawa, Oregon and was a truck gardener, but he traveled back to Japan one or more times possibly as a merchant seaman.  A trip back from Japan, prior to WWII, put him ashore in Seattle in Jun of 1924.  He married Yasue Kawata soon after, then took up farming again in Brooks, Oregon.

The Kawata family was still farming in Brooks in 1930 but three daughters had been added:  Toyoko Kawata 4 (F), Hisoko Kawata 3 (F) and Nobuko Kawata 2 (F).  (Although a fourth daughter, Yoshie, later claimed to be born on 1 Dec 1929, she did not show on the 1930 census.)  A great aunt, Haya Fujimoto 63, was living with the family as well as two lodgers, Tamakichi Murata age 37 and Marulino Ducusin. 

The 1940 census shows Minoru and family still farming on Van Cleave Rd in Brooks.  40-year-old Minoru had taken on a partner, 19-year-old Kiyoo Tomiyama, who was born in Oregon but lived in Japan as late as 1935.  Minoru and wife Yasue were considered resident aliens.  Their four daughters were U.S. citizens.  

The entire Kawata family was forcibly removed from Brooks and transported to the Tule Lake Camp in June 1942.  In September 1943, the family was moved to Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.  Members of the Kawata family were not all released at the same time nor to the same final destination.  Final relocation records show the oldest daughter, Toyoko, was released April 1945 to live in Philadelphia, PA.  The rest of the family was released in September and October 1945 in order to return to Portland, Brooks and Salem, Oregon. 

In 1949, all four of the daughters still had connections with the Salem area and were invited to a shower for Miss Vilora Williams in July of that year. 

By 1950, Minoru (also known as Carl), was managing an apartment building in Portland with Yasue.  Two daughters, Hisako and Nubuko were living with them along with several boarders.  At the time, there seems to be no record of Toyoko and Yoshie (Kathryn) was a patient at the Oregon State TB Hospital in The Dalles, OR.   

Minoru did not give up his traveling ways.  After 9 months as a ship’s quartermaster, with stops in Japan, he returned to Oregon in May 1954.  Toyoko appears again with her marriage to George Hirata of Portland, a maintenance worker, in March 1953.  In the years 1955-1960, Minoru and Yasue managed and lived in more than one hotel/rooming house in downtown Portland while Minoru still worked in the lumber import/export trade.  Hisako, Nobuko (Irene) and Yoshie (Kathryn) lived with the couple.  By 1957, the five had moved to a home in NE Portland.  Yasue still managed a hotel, Minoru and Yoshie (Kathryn) worked for the West Coast Oriental and Nobuko (Irene) was an office worker.  Hisako still lived with the family but claimed no profession. 

In 1960, Irene Hirata (Toyoko) was still a clerk at West Coast Oriental.  She and husband George, a welder at the time, were living at 2644 SE 74th.  On 10 Dec 1961, Kathryn (Yoshie), then a teacher, wed Minoru Calvin Nitta in Portland, OR.   

In November 1964, 62-year-old Yasue suffered a fractured collarbone in a car accident on Oregon Hwy 18 about 4.5 miles west of Grand Ronde.  The driver, 78-year-old Henry Yahichi Kato, was killed.   

Minoru Kawata passed away at age 67 on 22 Apr 1966.  At the time, he was simi-retired from the lumber import/export business with the West Coast Orient Co., Coos Bay, OR.  Japanese resident aliens were not allowed to acquire US citizenship until 1952 and Minoru never did so. Yasue, died in Multnomah County at age 77 on 22 Dec 1980.  Her citizenship status is unknown but likely she was still a resident alien. 

Toyoko’s husband George S Hirata died on 14 Oct 1983 and 10 years later, Toyoko was living at 2644 SE 74th Av in Portland.  County records show that she sold the house in Dec 2010 and that is the last record available for her. 

After Nobuko (Irene) married in 1960, she and husband Kenzo Nakagawa may have moved almost immediately to central California.  Public records show them established in Modesto in 1987 through 1991.  They later moved to southern California where Kenzo died in Westlake Village on 15 Apr 2014.  Unfortunately, there seems to be no further records of Nobuko available. 

After youngest daughter Yoshie (Katheryn) married Minoru Calvin Nitta in 1961, the couple remained in Portland.  She most likely continued teaching there when they resided at 1171 SE Lexington St.  They had two sons, James (b 1965), Gregg (b 1969).  Some records may be private but, these appear to be the only two grandchildren of Minora and Yasue Kawata.  Yoshie passed away on 8 Oct 2008 in Portland.   

 Researched and written by Mike Nugent, 2023

Research: 

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data 
First, MI (Sex)  Minoru, C (M)  Yasue (F)  Toyoko (F)  Hisako (F)  Nobuko (F)  Yoshie (F) 
Relocation Proj  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake 
Assembly Ctr  None  None  None  None  None  None 
Last Address  Marion, OR  Marion, OR  Marion, OR  Marion, OR  Marion, OR  Marion, OR 
Birthplace of Parents (F, M)  Japan, Japan  Japan, Japan  Japan, Japan  Japan, Japan  Japan, Japan  Japan, Japan 
Father’s Occ  Farmer  Managerial  Blank  Blank  Blank  Blank 
Total Schooling in Japan  8 yrs  8 yrs  None  None  None  None 
Educational Degree  None  None  None  None  None  None 
Year First Arrived in US  1913  1924  —  —  —  — 
Length of Time in Japan  15-20 yrs  20+ yrs  None  None  None  None 
Visits to Japan  2  1  Never  Never  Never  Never 
Indv Number  15761A  403046  15761C  15761D  403049  403050 
Year of Birth  1896  1903  1925  1926  1928  1929 
Place of Birth  Japan  Japan  Oregon  Oregon  Oregon  Oregon 
Religion  Buddhist  Protestant  Protestant  Protestant  Protestant  Protestant 

 

War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents: 

First, MI (Sex)  Minoru, C (M)  Yasue (F)  Toyoko (F)  Hisako (F)  Nobuko (F)  Yoshie (F) 
DOB  6 Oct 1899  23 May 1904  4 Sep 1925  24 Sep 1926  10 Mar 1928  1 Dec 1929 
Marital Status  M  M  S  S  S  S 
Citizenship  Alien  Alien  US  US  US  US 
Sex  M  F  F  F  F  F 
Original Entry  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake  Tule Lake 
Date of Entry  21 Sep 1943  21 Sep 1943  21 Sep 1943  21 Sep 1943  21 Sep 1943  21 Sep 1943 
Pre Evac Add  Brooks, OR  Brooks, OR  Brooks, OR  Brooks, OR  Brooks, OR  Brooks, OR 
Date of Dep  25 Sep 1945  5 Oct 1945  16 Apr 1945  5 Oct 1945  21 Sep 1945  21 Sep 1945 
Age at Dep  46  39  20  19  17  16 
Destination  Portland  Portland  Philadelphia, PA  Portland, OR  Salem, OR  Brooks, OR 

 

  • 1918 WW1 Draft Record:  Minoru Kawata 19. B 6 Oct 1899.  RFD 8, Marion, OR.  Mother Kimi Kawata same address.  Farm Hand.  Japanese citizen.  Reg 12 Sep 1918.   
  • 1920 Federal Census:  Minoru Kawata 22 b abt 1898 in Japan.  Lives in Chemawa, OR on Silverton Rd.  Japanese.  Immigrated 1907.  Son of HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  Laborer, Truck Garden.  Nat Papers Submitted.  Kikugi Kawata 40 HOH, Kimi Kawata 38, Minoru Kawata 22. 
  • CJ 25 Sep 1925 p9.  Report of the birth of Toyako Kawata on 14 Sep 1925. 
  • 1924 US Arriving Passengers:  Minoru Kawata 25 b in 1899 in Okayama Ken, Japan.  Last res Salem, OR.  Departed Kobe, Japan.  Arrived Seattle, WA in Jun 1924 on the President McKinley.  Does not intend to become a citizen but stay permanently.  
  • 1930 Federal Census:   
  • Minoru Kawata 31 b abt 1899 in Japan.  Rents farm in Brooks, OR. Married HOH.  Age at first marriage 26.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigration year 1913.  Alien.  Farmer (employer).  Able to speak English.  Minora Kawata 31 HOH, Yasue Kawata 26, Toyoko Kawata 4 (F), Hisoko Kawata 3 (F), Kobudo Kawata 2 (F), Haya Fujimoto 63 (Great Aunt), Tamakichi Murata 37 (Lodger), Marulino Ducusin (Lodger).  
  • Yasue Kawata 26 b abt 1904 in Japan.  Married to HOH.  Homemaker on a farm in Brooks, OR.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigration 1924.  Alien.  Not able to speak English.   
  • Toyoko Kawata 4 b abt 1925 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Single daughter of HOH.  Home in Brooks, OR.  F and M b in Japan.  (Other household members: see Minoru Kawata) 
  • Hisako Kawata 3 b abt 1926 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Daughter of HOH.  F and M b in Japan.   
  • Nobuko Kawata 2 b abt 1928 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Daughter of HOH.  F and M b in Japan.   
  • Yoshie Kawata 4 mos b abt 1930 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Daughter of HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  
  • CJ 5 Nov 1938 p10.  Brooks.  All four of the Kawata daughters on the school Honor Roll for their respective grades. 
  • 1940 Federal Census:   
  • Minoru Kawata 40 b abt 1900 in Japan.  Owns farm on Van Cleave Rd in Brooks, OR. Married HOH.  Alien.  Farmer.  Edu 2nd Yr HS.  Minora Kawata 40 HOH, Yasue Kawata 35, Toyoko Kawata 4 (F), Hisako  13 (F), Nobudo 12 (F), Yoskie Kawata 9 (F), Kiyoo Tomiyama 19 (Partner). 
  • Yasue Kawata 35 b abt 1905.  Japanese alien.  Married to HOH.  Home:  Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Same in 1935.  High School, 2nd yr.  Unpaid family worker.  Worked 30 weeks. 
  • Toyoko Kawata 14 b abt 1926 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Single Daughter.  Home Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  7th Grade.  
  • Hisako Kawata 13 b abt 1927 in Oregon. Japanese.  Single Daughter.  Home Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  6th Grade 
  • Nobuko Kawata 12 b abt 1928 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Single Daughter.  Home Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  5th Grade.   
  • Yoshie Kawata 9 b abt 1931.  Japanese.  Single Daughter.  Home Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  4th Grade. 
  • SJ 29 Aug 1941 p 10.  Hazel Green.  Toyoko and Hisako Kawata, two of 25 students, graduated from a Japanese Language school held in Ogura Hall (?).  The school has been operating for several years. 
  • 1942 WW2 Draft Card:  Minoru Kawata, 43, Oriental HOH.  B in Ukai Higashimura, Japan.  Lives in Books, OR.  Reg 14 Feb 1942.  5’6” 135lbs.  NOK R.E. Jones. 
  • SJ 20 Apr 1942 p10.  Church Holds Reception for New Members.  Hazel Green.  The Japanese church has a reception for new members including Yasue Kawata.  Several other members named.   
  • SJ 24 May 1942 p3.  Nobuko Kawata graduates from Brooks Elementary. 
  • CJ 9 Jul 1949 p7.  Shower for Miss Velora Williams in Salem.  Attended:  Miss Toyoko, Miss Hesako, Miss Irene and Miss Kathryn Kawata of Portland. 
  • 1945 Final Accounting, Roster of Evacuees at Relocation Canters1942-1946.  Name, Date Released, Destination 
  • Minoru Kawata, 25 Sep 1945, Portland, OR.   
  • Yasue Kawata, 5 Oct 1945, Portland, OR 
  • Toyoko Kawata, 16 Apr 1945, Philadelphia, PA 
  • Hisako Kawata, 5 Oct 1945 Portland, OR 
  • Nobuko Kawata, 25 Sep 1945, Salem, OR 
  • Yoshie Kawata, 25 Sep 1945, Brooks, OR 
  • CJ 9 Jul 1949 p7.  Shower for Miss Velora Williams in Salem.  Attended:  Miss Toyoko, Miss Hesako, Miss Irene and Miss Kathryn Kawata of Portland. 
  • 1950 Federal Census 
  • Carl M Kawata 51 b abt 1899.  B in Japan.  Married HOH.  Apartment #25, 4 NW Couch, Portland, OR.  Hotel Manager.  Carl M Kawata 51 HOH, Yasue Kawata 46 (F), Hisako Kawata 23 (F), Nubuko Kawata 21 (F), and Lodgers Glenn W Corey 64, Cark R Youngquist 60, John Bosbick 64, John Hollon 54, Ellis Clark 54, George Beshears 57.  
  • Yasue Kawata 46 b abt 1904 in Japan.  Married wife of HOH.  Apt 25, 4 NW Couch, Portland, OR.  Not a citizen.  Keeping House.  
  • No info on Toyoko.  Future husband George Hirata 29 B abt 1921 in Oregon.  Japanese.  Never married.  Son of HOH.  1311 SW 1st Av, apt 12, Portland, OR.  Railroad worker.  Frank Hirata 50 HOH, Kikur Hirata wife of HOH, George Hirata 29 son, William Hirata 22 son. 
  • Hisako Kawata 23 b abt 1927 in Oregon.  Single Daughter of HOH.  Apt 25, 4 NW Couch, Portland, OR.  Domestic Worker, Private Home.   
  • Nobuko Kawata 21 b abt 1929 in Oregon.  Single Daughter of HOH.  Apt 25, 4 NW Couch, Portland, OR.  Office Clerk in Hospital.  B and F b in Japan.  Grade completed 12.    
  • Kathryn (Yoshie) V Kawata 20 b abt 1930 in Oregon.  Single patient at the Oregon State TB Hospital in The Dalles, OR.  Unable to work. 
  • 1953 Oregon State Marriages:  Toyoko Kawata 27 b 14 Sep 1925 in Oregon.  Steno.  Age at last BD 27.  Married George Seiki Hirata (Maint Worker) in Portland, OR. On 28 Mar 1953.  Father Frank Hirata b in Japan.  Mother Umiko Hirata b in Japan. 
  • 1954 US Arriving Passengers:  Minoru Kawata departed Kobe Japan and Arrived Astoria on 17 May 1954 on the Toho Maru.  9 mos as a quartermaster.  Began work on 10 Sep 1953. 
  • 1955 Portland CD.  Kawata 
  • Carl (Minoro)  slsm West Coast Orient r 209 NW 9th 
  • Cath (Yoshie) r 208 NW Couch (Hotel/Boarding House) 
  • Irene N (Nobuko) wkr Bur of Parks and Rec 208 NW Couch  
  • Hisako studt r 208 NW Couch 
  • Mrs M (Minoro) maid Sherman hotel r Lombaria Hotel 
  • Minoru (yafu) mgr Annex Hotel h 208 NW Couch 
  • 1957 Portland CD.  Kawata 
  • Minoro C (Yasue) Field Repair West Coast Orient h 5804 NE Broadway (home) 
  • Kathryn (Yoshie) off sec West Coast Orient r 5804 NE Broadway 
  • Irene N (Nubuko) off wkr r 5804 NW Broadway   
  • Hisako r 5804 NE Broadway 
  • Yosue Mrs mgr Annex Hotel r 208 NW Couch 
  • 1960 Portland CD.  Kawata 
  • Minoro C (Yasue) log buyer West Coast Orient h 5804 NE Broadway (home) 
  • Kathryn sec West Coast Orient r 5804 NE Broadway 
  • Irene sec City Bur of Parks and Rec r 5804 NE Broadway (possibly Nobuko) 
  • Hisako r 5804 NE Broadway 
  • 1960 Portland CD.  George S Hirata, welder, NPT, 2644 SE 74th.  Mrs Irene (Toyoko) Hirata, clrk, West Coast Oriental. 
  • 1960 Oregon State Marriages:  Irene Nobuko Kawata b 12 Mar 1928. Clerk Typist.  Address 5804 NE Broadway, Portland, OR.  Married Kenzo Nakagawa on 11 Dec 1960.  Hotel manager.  B 25 May 1923 in Portland, OR. 
  • 1961 Oregon State Marriages:  Kathryn Yoshie Kawata b1 Dec 1929 in Brooks, OR.  Teacher.  Res 5804 NE Broadway, Portland, OR.  Married Minoru Calvin Nitta b 12 Mar 1930 in Portland, OR.  Student. On 10 Jun 1961 
  • CJ 20 Nov 1964 p1.  Yasue Kawata, 62, of Portland, suffered a fractured collarbone in a car accident on Oregon 18 about 4.5 miles west of Grand Ronde.  The driver, 78-year-old Henry Yahichi Kato, was killed.  
  • 1966 Oregon Death Record.  Minoru Kawata 67.  B in Japan on 6 Oct 1898. D Portland, Mutnomah, OR. on 22 Apr 1966.  F Kikuji Kawata.  M Kimi Kawata.  Spouse Yasui.  Home 5804 NE Broadway.  Years in Portland 20. Japanese Citizen.  Not a vet.  Semi-Retired from Lumber Import/Export.  
  • 1966 The World, Coos Bay, OR 25 Apr 1966 p2.  Funeral services for Carl M Kawata, 66, of 5804 NE Broadway, Portland, who died Thursday, 21 April, in Portland, will be at 2 pm Wednesday, April 27, in Nichiren Buddist Chruch, 2025 SE Yamhill St, Portland.  Cremation will follow the funeral rights.  Mr Kawata had been associated many years with West Coast Orient Co, Coos Bay.  He had been ill for some time. 
  • 1980 Oregon Death Index.  Yasue Kawata 77 b 23 May 1903 d 22 Dec 1980 in Multnomah County.  Spouse Minoru. 
  • 1982 Ancestry Nitta Family Tree:  Calvin Nitta died on 10 Oct 1982 in Clackamas, OR 
  • 1983 Oregon Death Records:  George S Hirata, 62.  B 8 Nov 1920.  D 14 Oct 1983 in Multnomah Cty, OR.  Spouse Toyoko. 
  • 1987 US Public Records:  Kenzo Nakagawa b 25 May 1923.  1513 Marsha Av, Modesto, CA, 95350 
  • 1991 US Public Records:  Irene N Nakagawa b 12 Mar 1928.  1513 Marsha Av, Modesto, CA 95350-0529. 
  • 1992 Public Records:  James Nitta b 14 Sep 1965.  11731 SE Lexington St, Portland, OR 
  • 1993 US Public Records Index:  Toyoko Hirata b 14 Sep 1925.  2644 SE 74th Av, Portland, OR 97206-1153 
  • 1993 Public Records:  Gregg Nitta b 25 Jan 1969, 4515 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR.  Second address:  636 NW 27th St, Corvallis, OR.  Third Residence:  11731 SE Lexington St, Portland, OR 
  • 1993 US Public Records.  Kathryn Y Nitta.  B 1 Dec 1929.  Res 1171 SE Lexington St, Portland, OR 97226-5935 
  • 2008 SSA Death Index:  Kathryn Y. Nitta.  B 1 Dec 1929.  D 8 Oct 2008.  Last Res:  97226, Portland, OR. 
  • 2008 US Obit Collection:  Kathryn Nitta 78 b 1 Dec 1929 in Brooks, OR.  Married 1961.  D 11 Oct 2008.  Spouse Calvin Nitta.  Child James Gregg.  Siblings Toy Hirata, Irene Nadagawa, Hisa Kawata.
  • 2010 Multnomah County Property Records:  Toyoka Hirata sold the home located at 2644 SE 74th St, Portland, OR. on 20 Dec 2010. 
  • 2014 Find a Grave:  Kenzo Nakagawa, b 25 May 1923 d 15 Apr 2014.  Cemetery:  Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village, CA. 
  • 2015 Portland City Land Use Review Intake:  12 Sep 2015.  Tree cutting violation – 12” tree to be replaced by two noble firs.  Applicant James Nitta, 11731 SE Lexington, Portland, OR 97226.  Owner Kathryn Y Nitta, same address. 

Photos and other collections:

Irene Kawata Nakagawa appears in this 1951 photograph of the Northwest Methodist Rally in Portland.  Photo held at the Densho Digital Repository, original source Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

Kathryn and Irene appear in this 1948 Photograph of the Adelphons Group. Photo held at the Densho Digital Repository, original source Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

Parents

Children
Masato Kinoshita  (1914-2012) Florence Keiko Kinoshita (1940-2021)
Haruko Satogata Kinoshita b. 1919

Residences 1940-1950

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Released 15 Jun 1943 destination unknown

Masato Kinoshita was born in the Montavilla neighborhood of Portland, Oregon on 1 Apr 1914 to farmer Shiotara Kinoshita and his wife Yone Ito.  Both his parents were Japanese citizens.  Not much is known about the family until 1940 when they appear in the thriving Japanese Community in Brooks, Oregon.

1940 was a very busy year for the family.  26-year-old Masato, traveled to Japan returning by ship on 29 Feb.  Accompanying him was his future wife, Haruko Satogata who was born in 1919 in Wapato, Washington.   The couple was married on 25 Mar 1940 when they both claimed to live at Rt 1 Box 285, Brooks, OR.  In the 1940 Census taken later that year, they are both shown to be farm workers.  In October, Masato registered for the draft and said he was employed by U. Kaneko.

On 6 Aug 1941 the couple welcomed a baby girl, Florence Kiako Kinoshita.  But the clouds of war were approaching U.S. shores.  On 2 Jun 1942, Masato Kinoshita and his little family were forcibly removed from Brooks and transported to the Tule Lake Camp.  The family was released almost exactly a year later.  The record does not show where they planned to relocate.

After the Kinoshita family’s release, information about their lives is slim.  Not until the 1970s, does Florence appear attending medical school in Chicago.  Later, in the 1990’s she worked as a toxicologist at the Hercules Co. in Wilmington, Delaware.  Masato and Haruko appear in Phoenix, Arizona in the early 1990’s.  They later moved to Mesa where Masato passed away in 2012.  There is no record of Haruko’s passing.  In her parents’ later years, Florence, who never married, moved to Mesa to be closer to them.  She passed away at age 80 on 2 Nov 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.

This biography was researched and compiled by Mike Nugent.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data: Masato Kinoshita Family
First, MI (Sex) Masato (M) Haruko (F) Florence K (F)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr None None None
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) Japan, Japan Japan, Japan US, US
Father’s Occ Farmer Farmer Farmer
Total Schooling in Japan 8 yrs 8 Yrs None
Educational Degree None None None
Year First Arrived in US No Entry No Entry —
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 yrs 20+ yrs Never
Visits to Japan 2 1 None
Indv Number 15741A 403282 403283
Year of Birth 1914 1918 1941
Place of Birth Oregon Washington Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist N/A
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Masato Haruko Florence Kiako
DOB 1 Apr 1914 18 Oct 1915 6 Aug 1941
Marital Status M M S
Citizenship C C
Sex M F
Original Entry Direct Entry Direct Entry Direct Entry
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943
Age at Dep 29-30 28 2
Destination UKN UKN UKN
  1. 1914 Oregon State Births. Masato Kinoshita b 1 Apr 1914 in Montavilla, OR.  Father Shiotara Kinoshita 35 Farmer.  Mother Yone Ito 21 Housewife.
  2. 1940, 29 Feb. WA, US, Arriving Passengers.
    1. Masato Kinoshita. Single Male.  Age 25.  DOB 1915 in Multnomah, OR.  Last Res Portland, OR.  Departure Port Yokohama, Japan.  Arrival 29 Feb 1940 in Seattle, WA. On the Hie Maru.  Length of time in US indefinite.  Final destination Gresham, OR.    Person in old country Masao Ito, Kumamoto-Ken, Japan.  Uncle.  Person in US Mrs Yone Toya, Mother.
    2. Haruki Satogata. Single Female. Age 21.  DOB 1919 in Wapato, WA.  Last Res Kumamoto Ken, Japan.  Departure Port Yokohama, Japan.  Arrival 29 Feb 1940 in Seattle, WA. On the Hie Maru.  Length of time in US permanent.  Money in possession $600.  US Citizen.  Final destination:  Wapato, WA.  No Occupation.  Father Yasutaro Satogata.  Person in old country Yasutaro Satogata, Kumamoto-Ken,Japan.   Person in new country Ichitaro Umemoto, father’s friend.
    3. (Side Note) In Mar 1942, the Hie Maru was converted to wartime use as a submarine depot ship and troop carrier.  Sunk by the submarine USS Drum southwest of Truk on 17 Nov 1943.   http://www.combinedfleet.com/Hie%20Maru_t.htm
  3. 1940, 25 Mar Oregon State Marriages.
    1. Haruko Satogata 21yr 5mo 2 d. b in Wapato, WA.  Color yellow.    First marriage.  Rt 1 Box 285, Brooks, OR.  F and M b in Japan.
    2. Masato Kinoshita 25yr 11mo 21d. b in Portland, OR.  Color Yellow.    First marriage.  Rt 1 Box 285, Brooks, OR.  F and M b in Japan.
  4. 1940 Census: Kinoshita
    1. Masato 26 b abt 1914 in OR.   Married HOH.  Rented farm on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Inferred res in 1935 Farm in rural Multnomah, Japan.  Farm Laborer.  8th grade edu. Income 750.
    2. Horuko 21 b abt 1919in WA.   Wife of HOH.  Rented farm on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Inferred res in 1935 Japan.  Farm Laborer.  8th grade education.  Income 0
  5. 1940 WW2 Draft Registration. Masato Kinoshita.  Oriental Male age 26. B 1 Apr 1914 in Portland, OR.  Married HOH.  Res in Rt1, Brooks, OR.  Reg date 16 Oct 1940.  Employer U Kaneko.  Complexion Dark.  Hari Black.  Eye Color Brown.  NOK Haruko Kinoshita.
  6. UKN Date Public Records: Masato Kinoshita b 1 Apr 1914 and Haruko Kinoshita b 18 Oct 1918.  908 Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85206
  7. 1978-2017 Public Records. Florence K Kinoshita b Aug 1941
    1. 1990-2019 2332 Leisure World, Mesa, AZ 85206
    2. 1990-2017 908 S Power Rd Apt 2332, Mesa, AZ 85206
    3. 1978-2003 302 River Rd pt 6, Wilmington, DE 19809
  8. 1989/1990 Public Records: Masato Kinoshita b 1 Apr 1914 and Haruko Kinoshita b 18 Oct 1918.  5416 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.  Second Res 1990.  2332 Leisure World, Mesa, AZ 85206
  9. 2012 Legacy.com. Masato Kinoshita b 1 Apr 1914 d 12 Jan 2012 in Mesa, AZ.  Burial arrangements under the direction of Greenwood/Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery.
  10. 2021 US Cemetery Collection. Florence Keiko Kinoshita 80 b 6 Aug 1941 res Mesa, AZ d 2 Nov 2021 obit date 7 Feb 2022
  11. 2021 Dignity Memorial. Florence Keiko Kinoshita 8 Aug 1941 – 2 Nov 2021.  Memorials follow:
    1. Lois Kotkoskie, Colleague, 14 Jan 2022. My name is Lois Kotkoskie. I knew Florence professionally when she was a toxicologist at Hercules in Wilmington Delaware in the 1990s. I was just starting out in my career at that time and she was a great resource. I truly admired and respected her very much. She always had a great way of looking at the world. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kinoshita family.
    2. Susie Winton, 1 Dec 2021. I was newly married and had moved to Chicago to be with Lee, my then medical student husband, when, as I remember it, Florence just appeared. They were classmates, I was new, and she, in her quiet way, was there to help.
      She became a good friend and, some years later, godmother to our first child. Though our lives eventually headed in different directions, we always touched base at Christmas with a note and a cross country gift exchange. Our children, now grown and living elsewhere, still remember that, for them, there was Santa Claus… and then there was Florence, some wondrous elf or, as it were, fairy godmother, who somehow knew the very thing that each child would most love. We sent pears.
      In fact, after probably more than 30 years, this past year, due to health distractions here, was the first that we failed to get in touch, and we missed hearing from Florence as well.
      I am so sorry not to have reached out and sad not to be sending our usual pears to Mesa. But Florence is very much in our thoughts and will continue to be, as she always has been, at this time of year.
    3. Lois Hall, 18 Nov 2021. My name is Lois Hall. I knew Florence for over 40 years. My husband and I lived in the same apartment building as Florence when she worked for Hercules in Wilmington, Delaware. She shared in the joy of our children, Amanda and Jason and was a welcome visitor when we moved to our house to accommodate our family.
      I’m am a recent widow but have my children and grandchildren nearby which is a blessing.
      Florence was a true friend.

Read biography of John Kyono here.

Parents

Children
Chisato (Jack) Morioka (1899-1971) Tatuso (Glen) Morioka (1923-2011)
Chisoa Umida Morioka (1905-1987) Emiko (Emie) Morioka Wada (1925-2015)
George Morioka (1929-2007)

Chemawa -> Tule Lake -> Ontario, Oregon -> Los Angeles, CA

Mi

The Morioka Family (R.7 Box 245, Salem)

Chisato Morioka was born in Japan 1 Jul 1899 and emigrated to the US in 1915.  In He returned to Japan to marry Chisoa Umida on 27 Jan 1922.  The couple returned to the US in March of that year to farm in Chemawa, OR where they had two sons and a daughter:  Tatsuo (Glen), Emiko (Emie), and George.  They remained in Chemawa through 1940.

Shortly after the 1940 Federal Census was taken, Emiko, age 14, was sent to Japan to continue her education.  She remained there through the outbreak of WW2 and was forced to work in a munitions factory outside the city of Hiroshima.  She was not able to return to her family in the US until she was 21.

On 2 Jun 1942, Chisato, Chisoa and the two sons were forcibly removed from Chemawa and transported to the Tule Lake internee camp for the duration of WW2.  The family was released on 1 May 1944 and decided to settle in Ontario, OR.  Oddly, the release records show that youngest son George, age 15, planned to take up residence in Dayton, WA.  He may have lived with a relative there to attend school until he returned to the family in Ontario.  Daughter Emiko (now going by the name Emie) rejoined the family in 1946.

On 3 Feb 1947, at age 23, the oldest son Glen (Tatsuo) married Maxine Kimko Sato in Ontario.  On 8 Dec 1949, at age 24, Emie married Shingo Wada, a farmer and former Intelligence Officer with the US occupation forces in Japan.

Emie and Shingo remained in Ontario and built a very successful farming operation along with Shingo’s brother.  The couple had one son and two daughters.  Shingo passed away in Ontario on 29 May 2009.  After a life devoted to making a better life for her children and grandchildren, Emie passed away in Wilsonville, OR 8 May 2015 and was buried back in Ontario.

Shortly before1950, the rest of the extended Morioka family had moved to a suburb of Los Angeles, CA.  Glen had become the head of the family which now included in one household, his wife, his two young children (Blanch 1 and Infant Gregory), his father and mother and, his younger bachelor brother George.  Together, the family tried their hand at a landscape gardening enterprise.

Later in 1950 then in 1954 respectively, Chisato (Jack) and Chisoa applied for and were granted US citizenship.  Chisao passed away on 18 May 1987 in Santa Clara, CA and Jack passed in Apr 1971 in Los Angeles, CA.

The landscape business didn’t last too long as we find Glen owning and running a small hotel near LA’s Japan Town until 1955.  A life change took the family to Gilroy and Morgan Hill, CA, where they farmed strawberries and had their two youngest children. Later Glen and brother George worked at Ford Motor Company.  After 24 years of service, he took early retirement in 1983.

The youngest son George passed away in Gilroy, CA on 17 Jul 2007 at age 78 after a long career with Ford Motor Company.  He was married with five children.  Glen passed away in Morgan Hill, CA (30 minutes north of Gilroy) on 6 Jan 2011.  He also left his wife Maxine and five children.

Research:  The Morioka Family (R.7 Box 245, Salem)

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data
First, MI (Sex) Chisato J Chisao Glen T George
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr None None None None
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) Japan, Japan Japan, Japan Japan, Japan Japan, Japan
Father’s Occ Manager Ukn Farm Manager Farm Manager
Total Schooling in Japan 8 yrs 6 yrs None None
Educational Degree None None None None
Year First Arrived in US 1915 1922 — —
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 15-20 yrs None None
Visits to Japan 3 2 Never Never
Indv Number 1574A 403302 403303 15747D
Year of Birth 1899 1905 1923 1929
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Chisato Jack Chisao Glen T George
DOB 1 Jul 1899 2 Jan 1905 11 Jul 1923 1 Jul 1929
Marital Status M M M S
Citizenship Alien Alien US US
Sex M F M M
Original Entry
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 1 May 1944 1 May 1944 1 May 1944 1 May 1944
Age at Dep 45 39 21 15
Destination Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Dayton, WA
  1. 1930 Federal Census: J C Morioka 32 b abt 1898 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Rents farm in Chemawa, OR.  Age at first marriage 24.  Able to read and write.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigration year 1922.    Able to speak English.  Truck farmer.  Working on own account.  J C Morioka 32 HOH, Chi*e Morioka 25 wife, Tatsuo Morioka 6 son, Emiko Morioka 4 dau, George Morioka 1 son.
  2. 1940 Federal Census: Chesato J Marioka 41 b abt 1899 in Japan.    Married HOH.  Rents farm in Chemawa, OR.  Elementary school, 8th grade.  Hours worked week prior 60.  Employer.  Chesato J Marioka 41 HOH, Chisoo Marioka 35 wife of HOH, Tatsuo G Marioka16 Son, Emie Marioka 14 Daughter, George Marioka 11 Son,
  3. 1940 Federal Census: Maxine Sato 11 b abt 1929.  Single daughter of HOH.  Fair, Malheur County, OR.  5th  Roy Sato 50 HOH, Yuki Sato 40 wife, Johnny Sato 20, Mary Sato 18, Maxine Sato 11.
  4. 1942, 14 Feb. Chisato Morioka draft card.  Oriental age 42 HOH.  B 1 Jul 1899 in Yamagatagun, Japan.  Res Salem, OR. Self-employed.  5’2” 120 lbs.  NOK Chisao Morioka.
  5. 1942, 2 Jun. Morioka Family interred at Tule Lake.
  6. 1942, 30 Jun. Glen Tatsuo Morioka draft card.  Oriental age 18.  B 7 Nov 1923 in Salem, OR.  Res Block 1513-B WRA Newell, TuleLake, CA.  Employed as Hospital Mess.  NOK Chisato Morioka.  (record sent to and registered at the Woodburn, OR Draft Board)
  7. 1944, 1 May. Moiroka Family released from Tule Lake.
  8. CJ 13 Jul 1944 p7. Draft record of Glen Tatsuo Morioka was transferred the Woodburn to the Brooks draft board for induction.
  9. 1947, 6 Feb. George NMI Morioka draft card.  Res Rt 2 Box 33, Ontario, OR.  Age 18 b 7 Jan 1929 in Oregon.
  10. 1947 Oregon Marriage Record: Glen Tatsuo Marioka 23 b abt 1924 married Maxine Kimiko Sato on 3 Feb 1947 in Ontario, OR.
  11. 1949, 8 Dec, Eniko Morioka, 24 b 20 May 1925 in Oregon married Shingo Wada, 24 b 23 Apr 1925 in WA.    M and F b in Japan.
  12. 1950 Federal Census: Jack Morioka Family
    1. Jack Morioka 50 b abt 1900 in Japan. Married father of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.  Resident Alien.  No work shown.
    2. Chisao Morioka 44 b abt 1906 in Japan. Married mother of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.  Resident Alien.  No work shown.  M and F b in Japan.  Inferred previous res:  Malheur County, OR.  Previously on farm.  School completed 8th grade.  Other income 1200.
    3. Glen Morioka 26 b abt 1924 in Oregon. Married HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.  Inferred previous res:  Malheur County, OR.  Previously on farm.  Owns business as Landscape Gardener.  F and M b in Japan.  Completed 12th  Income 2000.  Not a vet.
    4. Maxine Morioka 21 b abt 1929. Married wife of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.  Keeping house.
    5. Blanche Morioka 1 b abt 1949. Daughter of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.
    6. Gregory Morioka 0 b abt 1950. Son of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.
    7. George Morioka 21 b abt 1929 in Oregon. Single (never married) brother of HOH.  218 Berry Ave, Los Angeles, CA.   Owns business as Landscape Gardener.  F and M b in Japan.
  13. 1950 Application for Naturalization: Chisato Morioka fmy Cisato Umemoto aka Jack C Morioka.  Rt 1 Box 70A, San Martin, CA.    Age 54.  B 1 Jul 1899 in Hiroshima, Japan.  5’2”, 110 lbs.  Citizen of Japan.  Entered US for permanent residency on 1 Apr 1915.  Married to Chisao Morioka on 27 Jan 1922 at Hiroshima Japan.  B in Japan on 2 Jan 1905.  Entered the US at Seattle, WA on 30 Mar 1922 and now resides with Chisato.  Three children (age, place of birth, date of birth, current residence) Glen, Brooks, OR, 7 Nov 1923, Long Beach, CA; Emie, Brooks, OR, 25 May 1925, Ontario, OR; George, 7 Jan 1929, Portland, OR, with Father.  Trips outside US:  Dep Seattle 15 Apr 1929 on Africa Maru.  Arr Seattle 22 Oct 1929 on Africa Maru.  Lived in US since 1 Apr 1915.  Lived in CA since Mar 1950.
  14. 1951 Long Beach, CA CD. Glen Morioka (Maxine) gdnr h 1670 Canal Av.
  15. 1954 Naturalization Record.
    1. Jack Chisato Morioka 54 b 1 Jul 1899. Naturalization date 26 Mar 1954.  Address: Rt 1 box 70A, San Martin, CA.
    2. Cisao Morioka b 2 Jan 1945. Naturalization date 11 Nov 1954.  Address: Rt 1 box 70A, San Martin, CA.
  16. 1987 Social Security Death Record. Chisao Morioka 518-24-8243.  B 2 Jan 1905 in Japan.  D 18 May 1987 in Santa Clara, CA.  Mother’s maiden name Sumida.  Father’s Surname Umida.
  17. 1971 Social Security Death Record. Jack Morioka 518-24-8545.  Issued prior to 1951 in Idaho. B 1 Jul 1899.  D Apr 1971.  Last address:  90012, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA (North of downtown, Chinatown)
  18. George Morioka died at age 78 in Gilroy, CA.  Obit:

George Morioka was born in Portland, Oregon on January 7, 1929 and passed away in Gilroy on July 17, 2007 at the age of 78.  He was an internee at Tule Lake and later a resident of Morgan Hill since 1946.  A long-time employee of Ford Motor Company, he retired in 1986.  He also worked many years as a farmer and a gardener in Santa Clara County. George was an avid fisherman and crabber whose generosity with his catch, his time and whatever he had, was legendary. He is survived by his loving wife Norma, his brother Glen Morioka, sister Emie Wada, his children Cindy Perez, Barbara Manegold, Jeff Morioka, Susan Sakai, Michael Morioka and nine grandchildren. Services will be held on Friday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Morgan Hill. Friends are welcome and attire is casual.  (Published by San Jose Mercury News on Jul. 19, 2007)

  1. The Idaho Statesman 29 May 2009 p Life 4. Shingo Wada 1925-2009.  Passed in Ontario, OR on 22 May 2009.  After service as an intelligence officer after WW2 in occupied Japan, he had a very successful career farming with his brother in eastern Oregon.   He is survived by his wife Emie, a son, two daughters and several grandchildren.
  2. 2011 Find a Grave: Glen Tatsuo Morioka. B 7 Nov 1923 in Salem, OR.  D 6 Jan 2011.  Burial details unknown.  Obit

Glen T. Morioka, Nov. 7, 1923 – Jan. 6, 2011, resident of Morgan Hill, died peacefully on January 6, 2011, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Glen was born November 1923 in Salem Oregon, and graduated from Salem High School in 1942. Glen was Captain of his high school baseball team and was scouted for the minor leagues just before the war broke out. His family was relocated to the Tule Lake Relocation Center until September 1942. In 1943, he moved to Ontario, OR to farm with his parents. There he met Maxine, and they married in 1947. After the birth of their first two children, they moved to Los Angeles, CA, where they owned and ran a small hotel near Japan Town until 1955. Their third child arrived during this time. A life change took the family to Gilroy and Morgan Hill, CA, where they farmed strawberries and had their two youngest children. Later Glen worked at Ford Motor Company in the Quality Control Dept. After 24 years of service he took early retirement in 1983. Glen was an avid fisherman and hunter. His greatest love was being on the road, driving to the next great fishing hole. He is survived by his loving wife Maxine, his five children Aiko (Peter), Gregory, Steven (Linda), Russell (Sandra) and Penny (Scott); his three grandchildren, Brandon (Becky), Sherri and Brian and two great grandchildren Jacob and Nathan, his sister Emie Wada and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:30pm on Friday, January 14th, 2011 in the chapel at Johnson Funeral Home, 17720 Monterey Street, Morgan Hill, CA. Reception to follow.  (Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on January 11, 2011)

  1. 2015, 8 May Find a Grave. Emiko (Morioka) Wada.  B 1925 in Oregon.  Married Shingo Wada in Ontario, OR on 8 Dec 1949.  D 8 May 2015 at age 89 in Wilsonville, OR.  Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Ontario, OR.

Emie Wada passed away on May 8, 2015 in Wilsonville, Oregon at the age of 89. The daughter of Chisato and Chisao Morioka, Emie was born on May 20, 1925 in Salem, Oregon.

Emie attended school in the Salem area until the age of 14 when she was sent to Japan to continue her education. Two years after her arrival, her schooling abruptly ended when the war broke out and the students were forced to work in a munitions factory outside the city of Hiroshima. Emie was unable to return home until after the war ended. At age 21, she came back to the U.S. to live with her family who relocated to Ontario, Oregon after their internment at Tule Lake.

On December 8, 1949, she married Shingo Wada and together they had three children: Sharon, Mark and Stephanie. Emie was active in the church and enjoyed playing golf and cards, traveling, gardening, and artistic endeavors such as painting, pottery, and creating a beautiful home. For many years Emie hosted large holiday dinners with Martha Stewart flair. She was an excellent cook and her love for her family was evident in the food she prepared. Emie’s bento (box lunches) and care packages were legendary among her kids’ college friends. She rose well before the sun to make elaborate bento for the car ride back to school and in later years when her children and grandchildren came to visit. “Box breakfast” would be a better descriptor for at least one family who could never wait until lunch time to enjoy Emie’s cooking.

Emie had a wonderful sense of style. She had an eye for beautiful, well-made clothes and was a sight to behold when she was dressed to the nines for an evening out. Emie loved to shop. This cannot be overstated. Frequent shopping trips to Boise are a fond memory of her children who loved that she scheduled annual trips to Portland and the Washington coast to coincide with the Nordstrom anniversary sale. All of Emie’s grandchildren are girls, and there’s no doubt she delighted in another generation of shopping cohorts who clearly inherited the Emie shopping gene.

Much of Emie’s life was devoted to making a better life for her children. Whether it was the countless hours she spent listening and encouraging as they practiced the piano, showing by example the importance of doing a job well, giving them the support they needed to do their best in school, or diligently saving for their college education, Emie always put her children’s needs and later her grandchildren’s needs first.

Emie is survived by her son Mark Wada (Robin), daughter Stephanie Fifer (Eric) and granddaughters Jennifer Humphreys (Brian), Kimberly Bradley (Rick), Ashley Mercer, Rachel Wada, Emily Wada, Elizabeth Fifer, Annie Fifer, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Her parents, brothers Glen and George Morioka, husband Shingo and daughter Sharon Spencer preceded her in death.

Special thanks to Emie’s caregivers in Ontario and to the staff at Springridge Court in Wilsonville, Oregon who cared for Emie with such love and respect.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 16th, at 3:00 pm at the Ontario Community Church.

Parents

Children
Tamekichi Murata (1895-1968)

Chemawa, Oregon -> Tule Lake -> Heart Mountain -> Brooks, Oregon -> Possibly Japan?

Tamekichi Murata was born 25 Jan 1895 in Japan and emigrated to the US in 1920.  There is some indication that he may have been a merchant seaman for some time.  However, by 1930, he was settled in Brooks, OR where he took up truck farming.  He lived for some years with the Minora Kawata family and worked on their rented farmland.  By 1940, Tamekichi was working his own rented land near Chemawa, OR.

Like all other persons of Japanese descent in and around Salem, OR, Tamekichi was sent to California’s Tule Lake internment camp in June of 1942.  He was eventually transferred to Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Camp then released from there September of 1945 when the record shows him as a resident alien.  He did not tell the authorities where he planned to settle after being released.  Many other former Salem area Japanese individuals and families decided not to return to the Salem area and apparently Tamekichi was one of them.

Tamekichi’s trail is very cloudy after his release.  He does not appear in the 1950 census or other typical records for many years after that time.  His friends and former employers, the Kawata’s did not return to farming but took up lives in Portland so they may not have had work for him there.  Not until 1968 do we find Tamekichi’s Social Security Death Record showing his correct birth date, a Social Security number issued in Oregon and, his death in July of 1968.  Oddly, the death notice indicates that his last residence was in Asia.

There is no indication that Tamekichi gained US citizenship but he did have a Social Security account.  If he passed away overseas and the US Embassy was notified, the Bureau of Consular Affairs would have tried to find any relative in the US that could be eligible for his death benefits.  This would have created the Social Security Death Record.  So, it is at least possible that Tamekichi returned to Japan sometime after his release from internment.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Murata)
First, MI (Sex) Tamekich (i)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Fisherman
Total Schooling in Japan 6
Educational Degree
Year First Arrived in US 1920
Length of Time in Japan 20+
Visits to Japan 7
Indv Number 15716A
Year of Birth 1895
Place of Birth S Japan
Religion Buddhist
Skills Truck Farmer
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Tamekichi
DOB 25 Jan 1895
Marital Status S
Citizenship J
Sex M
Original Entry Salem, OR
Date of Entry 21 Sep 1943
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR
Date of Dep 18 Sep 1945
Age at Dep 50
Destination Brooks, OR
Rel from H Mtn
  1. 1926 NY Arriving Pass and Crew. Tomekichi Murata 41 b 1886.  Departed: Oran, Algeria.  Arr 26 Apr 1926 in New York, NY.  Norfolk Maru.
  2. 1927 WA Arriving Pass and Crew. Tomekichi Murata 41 b 1886.  Departed:  Kobe, Japan.  Arr Jan 1927 in Seattle, WA on the Montreal Maru.
  3. 1927 WA Arriving Pass and Crew. Tomekichi Murata 41 b 1885.  Departed: Kobe, Japan.  Arr May 1927 in Seattle, WA on the Montreal Maru.
  4. Oregon Vehicle Reg. T Murata 1927 Brooks Ford Truck; 1928 Rt1, Brooks, Ford Truck;  1930-31 Rt 1, Brooks, F;  1931-32 R 1, Brooks; 1931-32 Rt1 Box 125, Salem (joint owned Murata T and Kawata K)
  5. 1930 Federal Census. Tamakichi Murata 37 b abt 1893 in Japan.  Single lodger in Brooks, OR.  Can speak English.  F and M in Japan.  Immigration 1919.  Alien.  Truck Farm laborer.  Living with the Minora Kawata family.
  6. 1940 Federal Census. Tamakichi Murata.  45 b abt 1895 in Japan.  Single HOH.  Rents a farm in Chemawa, OR.  Inferred same in 1935.  Alien.  Gardener, Truck Garden.  Elementary school 6th grade.  Employer.
  7. WW2 Draft Record. Temekichi Murata 47 Oriental b 25 ?? Jan in Wakayawa Prov, Japan.  Res RFD2 Box 351, Brooks, OR.  Next of Kin: Helene Grundrun.
  8. 1950 Federal Census. No record.
  9. Social Security Death Index. Tamekichi Murata 543-30-3027 issued in OR.  b 25 Jan 1895. Last residence Asia.  D Jul 1968

 

Parents

Children
Shomon (John) Nakamura* (1882- 1973) Fumiko Nakamura Kido (1914 – 2006)
Tsuru Iki (1894- ?) Masaye “Mason” Nakamura Hatamiya (1917-1990)
Misaichi Nakamura (1919-?)

*Records show John Nakamura using several other first names:  Johnnie, Shomon, Shoemon, Shouemon, Massemon, Matasaburo, Missomon.  Most common is a version of Shomon.

Salem-> Tule Lake / Minidoka -> Portland

Shomon Nakamura was born on 15 Aug 1882 in Japan and he immigrated to the US in 1906.  Tsuru Iki was born on 14 Jan 1894.  She immigrated to the US on 14 Feb 1914 and her naturalization record shows the two married on that same day.  Their first daughter Fumiko was born in Independence, OR on 14 Nov 1914.  Three years later, on 3 Jan 1917, their second daughter Masaye was born in Independence.

Shomon and Tsuru visited Japan from July 1919 through Mar 1920.  Their naturalization record shows their only son, Misaichi was born there on 19 Sep 1919.   They apparently left the child there because he is not shown in any US records until the couple applied for US citizenship in 1955 when Misaichi is shown to be living in Japan.

In 1928, Fumiko (15) and Masaye (11) returned from Japan after having stayed with their uncle Mr. C Hakamura for an unknown period.  However, records show that they each had some years of schooling in Japan.  They returned to Salem in March of 1928.

Masaye Nakamura, 1938. Salem High School Annual. WHC Collections 0082.004.0025

In 1930, the family of four was living near Salem while Shomon was a foreman at a hop farm.  The daughters continued their education in the Salem public schools.  17-year-old Fumiko married merchant Kyirio Kido in November of 1931 in Portland.  Within two years, the couple had two daughters Alice and Jean.  Masaye graduated from Salem High School in 1938.

In March of 1940, Fumiko returned from a trip to Japan visiting a grandmother, Mrs. Sono Ike (likely Tsuru’s mother).  Shomon and Tsuru also visited Japan two times after their marriage but the exact dates are unknown.  There seems to be no 1940 Federal census records for the family.  However, when Shomon registered for the draft in April of 1942, he is working a major hop distributer, T A Livesley and Co. while the family lived in rural Salem.

Like all other persons of Japanese descent in and around Salem, OR, the Nakamura family was sent to California’s Tule Lake internment camp in June of 1942.  Fumiko’s family was sent to the facility in Minidoka, Idaho.  Upon their release the summer of 1945, both families moved to Portland.  Apparently Shomon never returned to his very successful career in the hop distribution business in Salem.

Masaye married Frank J Hatamiya and they moved to Sutter County, CA by 1950 but, there is little information available about Shomon and Tsuru after their release.  The couple applied for US Citizenship in 1955 while living as a retired pair in Portland, OR.

Shomon passed away in Portland in Apr 1973 but there is no record of Tsuru’s death.  Masaye passed away in Live Oak, CA June of 1990 and Fumiko passed away in Portland on 22 Oct 2006.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Nakamura)
First, MI (Sex) (Shomon) John (59) Tsuru (47) Masaye (24) Fumiko Kida
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tue Lake Minidoka
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, Oregon Oregon Marion, Oregon Oregon
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops M Japan
Total Schooling in Japan 6 4 7
Educational Degree None None HS 1yr HS in Japan
Year First Arrived in US 1906 1914
Length of Time in Japan 20+ 20+ 5-10 1-8 yrs
Visits to Japan 2 3 1 2
Indv Number 15752A 15752B 15752C
Year of Birth 1882 1894 1917 1914
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Not shown
Skill Crop Farmer Bookkeeper Sales Clerk
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) (Shomon John) Johnny Tsuru Masaye

(Mason)

 Fumiko Kida  (Minifoka, ID)
DOB 18 Aug 1882 4 Jan 1894 5 Jun 1917 4 Apr 1914
Marital Status M M M M
Citizenship J J J US
Sex M F F F
Original Entry Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Portland, OR
Date of Entry 30 Sep 1943 30 Sep 1943 30 Sep 1943 10 Sep 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Hood River, OR Portland, OR
Date of Dep 20 Sep 1945 20 Sep 1945 29 Jun 1945 27 Apr 1945
Age at Dep 63 49 24 31
Destination Portland, OR Portland, OR Portland, OR Portland, OR
  1. 1914 Oregon State Birth Record. Fumiko Nakamura.  Female b 14 Nov 1914 in Independence, OR.  F Shouemon Matasburo Nakamura.  M Tsuro Iki. Cert 10780.
  2. 1917 Oregon State Birth Record. Masaye Nakamura.  Female b 3 Jan 1917 in Independence, OR. F Shouemora Nakamura.  M Tsura Iki.  Cert 1
  3. 1928 Washington State Arriving Passenger Record. Fumiko Nakamura 15 and Masaye Nakamura 11 both b in Independence, OR.  Arrived in Mar 1928 in Seattle from Yokohama, Japan on the Empress of Canada.  Both students.  Stayed with Uncle Mr C Hakamura.  Final destination Salem, OR.
  4. 1930 Federal Census. Johnie Nanamura 47 b abt 1883 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Rents home on River Rd, Crosian, OR.  No radio set.  Does not live on farm.  Age at first marriage 32.  Able to read and write.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigration Year 1906.  Resident Alien.  Forman, Hop Farm.
    1. Johnnie Nakamura 47 HOH,
    2. Teuru Nakamura 35 wife, b abt 1895 in Japan. F and M b in Japan.  Immigrated 1914.  Resident Alien, Farm Laborer, Hop Farm.
    3. Fumiko 15 dau, b abt 1915 in Oregon. F and M b in Japan.  Attending school
    4. Masaye 13 dau, b abt 1917 in Oregon. F and M b in Japan.
  5. CJ 16 Nov 1931. “Japanese Girl Wed at Buddhist Church”  “Fumiko Nakamura 17 year-old daughter of Missomon Nakamura, wealthy hop yard contractor of Salem and Kyirio Kido, Japanese merchant of Portland.”
  6. CJ 18 Nov 1931 p7. Wedding picture of Fumiko Nakamura and Kyirio Kido.
  7. 1934 Portland CD. Fumiko Kida h 47 NE Tillamook.  Husband Kiejiro works at J K Grocery.
  8. 1938 Salem HS Yearbook p 44. Masaye Nakamura, senior.
  9. 1940 Fumiko Kida 25 b 1515 in Salem, OR.  Last res Portland, OR.  Departed Kobe, Japan.  Arrived in Seattle, WA, in Mar 1940 on the Hie Naru.  Final Dest Portland, OR.  Spouse Keijiro Kida.  Person in old country Mrs Sono Ike, Grandmother.
  10. 1940 Federal Census. No record of others in the family.
  11. 1942. WW2 Draft Registration.  Shoemon Johnny Nakamura 59 b 15 Aug 1882 in Japan.  Res Rt 2 Box 188, Salem, OR.  Works for T A Livesley and Co.  Reg 27 Apr 1942.
  12. 1942, 2 Jun. Family entered Tule Lake.
  13. 1943, Sep. Family released to settle in Portland.
  14. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. Fumi Kide 34 b in Oregon abt 1916. Japanese. Wife of HOH.  Res 1862 SW 3rd Portland, OR.  Bookeeper, Retail Appliance Store.  Own business.  James K Kide 72 HOH, Fumi Kide 34, Alice A Kide 17, Jean Y Kide 16.
    2. Masaye Hatamiya 30 b abt 1920 in OR. Wife of HOH.  Lives in Butte, CA.  Clerk in a dry goods store.  Husband Frank J Hatamiya 28 farming. No children.
  15. 1950 Federal Census. No record of others in the family.
  16. 1955. Petition for Naturalization.  Filed in Portland, OR. Shoemon Nakamura aka Matasaburo Nakamura of 128 NW 3rd, Portland, OR.  Retired.  Age 72.  B 15 Aug 1882 in Japan.  Japanese National.  Wife Tsuru Nakamura.  B 14 Jan 1894 in Japan.  Entered US on 14 Feb 1914.  Married14 Feb 1914 in Seattle, WA.  Left US in July 1919 on the Canada Maru and returned on 9 Mar 1920 on the Suwa Maru.  Witnesses:  Sam Ishida, Farmer in Salem, OR and Katsumi Nakayama, Salesman in Portland, OR.  Signed 26 Jul 1955.  Three children (name, born, currently living)
    1. Fumiko Kida (F) b 14 Nov 1914 in Salem, OR. Portland, OR
    2. Masaye Hatamiya (F) b 3 Jan 1917 in Independence, OR. Liveoak, CA
    3. Masaichi Nakamura (M) b 19 Sep 1919, Japan.
  17. 1955. Petition for Naturalization.  Tsuru filed her petition the same day as her husband Shoemon.
  18. Portland, OR City Directories 1945-1965. No record of Shoemon or Tsuru Nakamura.
  19. 1982 Social Security Death Index. Shoemon Nakamura 543-32-7902.  B 15 Aug 1882.  SSN issued in OR before 1951.  Last Res Portland, OR 97209.  D Apr 1973.
  20. 1990 Social Security Death Index. Masaye (Nakamura) Hatamiya.  59-26-8569. B 3 Jan 1917 in Independence, OR.  SSN issued before 1951 in Idaho.  Last res Live Oak, CA. 95953.  D Jun 1990.  F Matasaburo Nakamura.  M Tsuru Ike.  Notes: Jan 1944 name Masaye Nakamura; Jun 1946 name Masaye Mason; Apr 1948 name Masaye Nakamura Hatamiya, 26 Jun 1990 name Masaye Hatamiya.
  21. 1996 Public Record. Fumiko Kida b 14 Nov 1914.  Res 1993 127 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR.  2nd Res 1996 4136 SE Brooklyn St, Portland, OR.
  22. Social Security Death Index. Fumiko Kida 519-26-8618 b 14 Nov 1914. SSN issued in Idaho before 1951.  Last Res Portland, OR 97202.  D 22 Oct 2006.

Photos and other collections:

Masaye Nakamura, 1938. Salem High School Annual. WHC Collections 0082.004.0025

Salem High School Yearbook (Clarion) 1938.  WHC Collections 0082.004.0025 has a senior portrait of Masaye Nakamura with the following caption:

NAKAMURA, MASAYE. “Mason”; Commerical; Cartoon Club 2; Minuteman 2, 3.  Hobby: Collecting Coins.

The Ogura Brothers both settled in Brooks, Oregon.  This is the story of their families:

Parents

Children
Kiyoji (Charles) Ogura (1883-1967) Tomito (Tommy) Ogura (1916-1967)
Chiyo Nakashima (1897-1975) Minnie Ogura Itow (1919-?)
Sumi Ogura Oshiro (1921 -2008)
Richard William Orgura(1926-1965)
Fordice Henry Ogura(1928-1995)
Chiyo Esther Ogrua Semba (1930-1987)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Ontario, Oregon/California/New York City/Boise, ID

Kiyoji (Charles) Ogura was born in Japan on 23 Aug 1883 and claimed to have immigrated to the US in 1900 at age 17.  Little is known of Charles’ early years in the US but in 1915 at age 32, he married 18-year-old, US born Chiyo Nakashima.  By 1918 the couple was farming in rural Portland, OR and began building a family.  Their children were born over the next several years:  Tomito Tommy (1916), Minnie (1919), Sumi (1921), Richard William (1926), Fordice Henry (1928) and Chiyo Esther (1930)

Between 1920 and 1930, the family moved south to farm on rented land near Books, OR.  As was common in Japanese some families, the Ogura’s sent some of their children to Japan for visits or short periods of schooling.  In 1936, Tomito, Minnie and Sumi all visited relatives in Japan.  Tomito (Tommy) returned to attend University of Oregon for three years but by 1940, all the children were back on the family farm in Brooks.  By then, father Charles owned and managed the land.

In April of 1940 Tommy married Miss Toshiko Tsugawa of Hillsboro, OR and they planned to work the Ogura farm in Brooks.  However, buy the end of the year, the couple was living in the Hillsdale neighborhood of Portland where Tommy was self-employed. Their daughter Raiko (Patsy) was born in 1941.  Father Charles K, mother Chiyo and siblings Minnie (21), Sumi (19), Richard (13), Henry (11) and Esther (10) remained on the family farm in Brooks.

As a result of the start of WW2, the entire Ogura family was transported to the Tule Lake Japanese Internment Camp at Tule Lake, CA. on 2 Jul 1942.  After realizing what was to come, Tommy, Toshiko with their one-year-old daughter Raiko, returned to Brooks so the whole family could be interned together.  The family spent just over a year at Tule Lake and were released between 15 Jun and 1 Jul 1943.

Records indicate that the entire family planned to settle in Ontario, OR upon release with one exception.  For an unknown reason, little Raiko was to be taken to Vale, OR. possibly to be with relatives while Tommy and Toshiko establish a home in Ontario.  In 1944 Richard (William) enlisted fin the US Army or a period of about 4 years.

In Dec 1949, Sumi married Henry Oshita in Ontario and settled in Southern California.  Also, before 1950, Esther married Russ Semba and settled in Central California.  By 1950, Charles and Chiyo were farming Malheur County, OR along with Richard (24) and Henry (21).  Tommy’s family lived close by while he worked at a radio and appliance salesman.  Minnie, now 20 had relocated to New York City and was looking for work.  In 1954, Henry married Mary Tsuyake Shigeno, a stenographer.  They planned to reside in Boise, ID.

In 1952, Richard married Mary Y Mio from Salem and they settled in Ontario.  They had a son and two daughters born in 1954, 1956 and 1960.  Richard was his father Charles’ partner in farming.  However, their lives took a drastic turn in 1965 when Mary shot and killed Richard before killing herself at their home in Ontario.  It is said that Mary was despondent about an unspecified illness.  The children were home at the time.  They were taken in by unnamed relatives.

Richard’s death left elderly Charles to farm their property alone and it was too much for him.  In early 1966, Charles auctioned off all their farming equipment and retired.  Charles died almost exactly one year later on 21 Feb 1967.  Sadly, Tommy now age 50, died just a few days earlier leaving his wife and four daughters.

Chiyo died in 1975 and is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario.  Esther died at age 57 on 5 Jan 1987 in Carmichael, CA.  Henry died at age 66 in Yakima, WA in 1995.  Sumi divorced in 1982 in Los Angeles and died at age 77 in Covina, CA on 21 Jan 2008.

Minnie stayed in New York and married Mishima Itow in 1964 but her records are slim after that.  She may have moved to Covina, CA around 1990 but was back in Long Island, NY in 1992.  There is no available record of her passing and she would be 104 in 2023.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Ogura)
First, MI (Sex) Charles K (59) Chiyo (44) Tommy T (25) Toshiko (21) Patsy R (3.5) Minnie (23)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M US

 F Japan

M US

 F Japan

M US

 F Japan

M US
Father’s Occ Ukn Farmer Farm Ops Managerial Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan 8 None None None None 2
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree
Highest Grade College 3 yrs HS 4 years HS 4 years
Year First Arrived in US 1900 NA NA NA NA NA
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 Never in Japan Under 6 mo Never in Japan Never in Japan 1-5 yrs
Visits to Japan 1 None 1 1
Indv Number 15768A 15768B 19769A 15769B 15769C 15768C
Year of Birth 1883 1897 1916 1920 1941 1919
Marital Status M M M M S S
Race Indv/Spouse J/J J/J J/J J/J NA NA
Place of Birth Japan Washington Oregon Washington Oregon Oregon
Religion Methodist Methodist Methodist Methodist Methodist Methodist
Skill Truck Farmer Farm Hand Truck Farmer Sales Clerk NA Sales Clerk
  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Ogura)
First, MI (Sex) Sumi (21) OSC Richard (15) Henry  F(13) Esther C (10)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake None shown Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr Born in 1926
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M US

 F Japan

M US

 F Japan

M US
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan None None None
Educational Degree College 1 yr No Degree No Degree
Year First Arrived in US NA NA NA
Length of Time in Japan 1-5 yrs Never in Japan Never in Japan
Visits to Japan 1 0 0
Indv Number 15768D No 15768E shown 15768F 15768G
Year of Birth 1921 1928 1931
Place of Birth Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Methodist Methodist Methodist
Skill Farm Hand None None
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Kiyoji (Charles) Chiyo Tomito Tommy Toshiko Raiko Patsy Minnie
DOB 23 Aug 1883 23 Oct 1897 4 Jul 1916 1 Mar 1920 9 Oct 1941 6 Mar 1919
Marital Status M M M M S S
Citizenship J J US US US US
Sex M M M F F F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943 15 Jun 1943
Age at Dep 60 46 27 22 2 24
Destination Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Vale, OR Ontario, OR
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Sumi Richard William Fordyce Henry Chiyo Esther
DOB 26 Jan 1921 10 Apr 1926 19 Sep 1928 1 Nov 1930
Marital Status S S S S
Citizenship US US US US
Sex F F M F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 15 Jun 1942 15 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 1 Jul 1943 1 Jul 1943 1 Jul 1943 1 Jul 1943
Age at Dep 21 17 15 13
Destination Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Ontario, OR
  1. 1916 Oregon Birth Record. Tamito Ogura b 4 Jul 1916 in Hillsdale, OR. F Kyopi Ogura. M Cheijo Kakashima.
  2. 1918 12 Sep WW1 Draft Card. Kyoji Ogawa 35 b 23 Aug 1883.  Box 462 RFD 1 Portland, Multnomah, OR.  Citizen of Japan.  Farmer.  NOK Wife Chiyo Ogura.
  3. 1919 Oregon Birth Record. Minnie Ogura.  Female.  B 6 Mar 1919. F Kyofi Ogura.  M Chiyo Nakashima.
  4. 1920 Federal Census. K Ogura 38 b abt 1882 in Japan.  Rents farmland in Columbia, Multnomah, OR.   Immigrated in 1901.  Married HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  Truck Farmer.  Alien.  Able to read and write.
    1. Chiya Ogura 22 b abt 1898 in WA. Married to HOH same res.  F and M b in Japan.  Able to speak English, read and write.  US Citizen.  No Occupation
    2. Tomo W Ogura 3 b abt 1917 in OR. Son of HOH same res.  F b in Japan, M b in US.
    3. Minnie Ogura 10 mos b abt 1919 in OR. Dau of HOH same res.  F b in Japan, M b in US.
    4. Sugio (Suajio) 24 b abt 1896 in Japan. Brother of HOH same res.  Immigrated 1915.  F and M b in Japan.  Does not speak English.  Partner, Truck Farm.
  5. 1930 Federal Census. Charles K Ogura 48 b abt 1882 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res rented farmland in Brooks, OR.  Has a radio.  Age at first marriage 32.  Able to read and write English.  F and M b in Japan.  Language spoken Japanese.  Immigration year 1900.  Alien.  Truck Farmer.
    1. Chiyo Ogura 32 b abt 1898 in WA.   Married to HOH.  Same res.  Homemaker.  Age at first marriage 16.  Able to read and write English.  F and M b in Japan.
    2. Tanuto Ogura (Tamito) 14 b abt 1914 in Oregon.  Son of HOH.  Same Res.  In School.  F b in Japan.  M b in WA.
    3. Minnie Ogura 11 b abt 1919 in OR. Daughter of HOH.  Same Res.  In School.  F b in Japan.  M b in WA.
    4. Sumi Ogura 1 9 b abt 1921 in OR. Daughter of HOH.  Same Res.  In School.  F b in Japan.  M b in WA.
    5. Richard Ogura 3yrs 11mos b abt 1927 in OR. Son of HOH.  Same Res.  F b in Japan.  M b in WA.
    6. Fordyce Ogura 1 b in 1929 in Oregon. Son of HOH.  Same Res.  F b in Japan.  M b in WA.
  6. 1936 Washington, US, Arriving Passenger Lists. Tamito Ogura 20 b in Hillsdale, OR.  Minnie Ogura 17 b in 1919 near Portland, OR.  Sumi Ogura 15 b in 1921 near Portland, OR.  Last res Salem, OR.  Departed Yokohama, Japan.  Arrived Seatle, WA. In Nov 1936.  Father Ogura Kyoji in US.  Person in Japan Mrs Ogura Mioshi.  Lived with Uncle.
  7. 1938 U of O Yearbook p 79. Student Tommy Ogura shown.
  8. 1940 Federal Census. C K Ogura 51 b abt 1889 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res VanCleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Same res in 1935.  Alien.  Farm operator.  Owns farm.  High School 4 yr.  Working on own account.  Other income sources.
    1. Ceyo Ogura 42 b abt 1898 in WA. Married to HOH.  Same Res.  Farm Laborer.  Finished 8th  Works 20 hrs per week.  Unpaid family worker.
    2. Tomaito Ogura 23 b abt 1917 in OR. Single son of HOH.  Same Res.  Farm Laborer.  Did not attend school.  3 yrs College.  Works 30 hrs per week.  Unpaid Family Worker.
    3. Minna Ogura 21 b abt 1919 in Oregon. Dau of HOH.  Same Res.  Did not work or attend school.  HS 4 yrs.
    4. Sumi Ogura 19 b abt 1921 in Oregon. Dau of HOH.  Same Res.  Did not work.  In school, completed 3rd year HS.
    5. Richard Ogura 13 b abt 1927 in Oregon. Son of HOH.  Same Res.  In school, completed 7th
    6. Henry Ogura 11 b abt 1929. Son of HOH. Same Res.  In school completed 5th
    7. Esther Ogura 10 b abt 1931 in Oregon. Same Res.  In school completed 2nd
  9. CJ 5 APR 1940 P5. Tommy Tamito Ogura, son of Mr and Mrs C K Ogura of Brooks, married Miss Toshiko Tsugawa, daughter of Mrs K Tsugawa of Hillsboro, OR.  They will live on the Ogura farm near Brooks.  Miss Tsugawa graduated from Hillsboro HS and attended business college in Portland.  Mr Ogura graduated from Salem HS at completed 2 years at UofO.
  10. 1940 WW2 Draft Card. Tommy Tomito 24 b 4 Jul 1916 in Hillsdale, OR (SW Portland).  Res Rt 1, Brooks, OR.  Self-employed.  NOK Toshiko Ogura.   Reg on 16 Oct 1940.
  11. 1942 WW2 Draft Card. Charles Kyoji Ogura 59 b 23 Aug 1883 in Japan.  Asian.  Lives at Rt1 Box 256, Brooks, OR.  Telephone 22905.  NOK Chiyo Ogura same res.  Self-employed.  Reg in 1942.
  12. 1942 Jun Relocation.
  13. 1943 Jun/Jul Release
  14. 1944 Enlistment Record. William R Ogura.  Japanese.  Single without dependents. B 1926.  US Citizen.  Res Mauheur, OR.  4 yrs HS.  Farm hand.  Enlistment data 22 Dec 1944 at Boise, ID.
  15. 1949 Oregon Marriage Record. Sumi Ogura 28 b in 1921 in Oregon married Henry Oshiro in Ontario on 18 Dec 1949.
  16. 1950 Federal Census. Charles K Ogura 67 b abt 1883 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res a farm in Fair, Malheur, OR.  Farmer.  M and F b in Japan.  Hrs worked 48.  Owns business.  School completed 8th grade.
    1. Chiyo Ogura 52 b abt 1898 in WA. Wife of HOH.  Same res.  Keeping house.  Otherwise not working.
    2. Richard Ogura 24 b abt 1926 in OR. Unmarried Son of HOH.  Same res.    Hrs worked 48.  Owns business.
    3. Henry Ogura 21 b abt 1929 in OR. Unmarried son of HOH.  Same res.  Radio Repairmen.  Owns radio shop.  Hrs worked 48.
  17. 1950 Federal Census. Tom Ogura 33 B abt 1917 in Oregon.  Married HOH.  Res Fair, OR.  Not a farm.  Radio and Appliance Salesman.  B b in Japan.  M b in Canada.  Owns business.  60 hrs.  School completed C4.  Not a vet.  Tom Ogura 33 HOH, Toshiko Ogura 30 wife of HOH, Patsy Ogura 8, Linda Ogura 6.
  18. 1950 Federal Census. Minnie Ogura 26 b abt 1924 in Oregon.  Never married.  Home 225 121 St, New York, NY.  No occ shown.  Seeking work.  Louise Yoshiwara 28 HOH.  Minnie Ogura 26 lodger, Marie Kogawara 23 lodger, Charotte Harvey 29 lodger.
  19. 1950 Federal Census. Sumie Oshiro 30 b abt 1920 in Oregon.  Married to HOH.  She was keeping house on a farm at 128 Irwindale, West Covina, CA.  Henry Oshiro 30 HOH, Sumi Oshiro wife, Roy 29 brother, Misero Oshiro sister-in-law, Marion Oshiro 31 sister, Kenko Oshiro 64 father, Yacko Oshiro 56 mother.
  20. 1954, 8 Jun. Henry Fordyce Ogura 25, b 19 Sep 1928 in Salem, OR.  Japanese.  F Charles Ogura.  M Chiyo Kakashima.  Rt 1 Box 22, Ontario, OR.  Married in Ontario, OR to Mary Tsuyake Shigeno, 23 b 4 May 1931 in Auburn, WA.  Stenographer.   F Kochi Shigeno.  M Jtoyo Nabumoto.  Res Boise, ID.
  21. 1964 New York Marriage Index. Minnie Ogura married Mishima Itow in 1964 in Manhattan, New York City, NY.
  22. 1965, 22 Nov. Richard William Ogura death cert.  Lived in Ontario for 22 years.  Last res Rt 1, Ontario, OR.  Married farmer.  Wife Mary Ogura.  B 15 Apr 1926 in Salem, OR.  Age 39. WW2 Vet.  Father Charles K Ogura.  Mother Chiyo Nakashima.  Informant Tom Ogura, brother.  Cause of death, Gunshot wound in the chest.  Found dead on couch.  Wife on floor beside him.  Homicide.
  23. Idaho Statesman 23 Nov 1965 p 13. “Gun Blast Kills Pair at Ontario”.  Mary Ogura killed her husband Richard then turned the gun on herself.  She was had been worrying about illness.  Their 11-year-old daughter found the bodies.  The other children are 9 and 4 and are being cared for by relatives.
  24. Idaho Statesman 24 Nov 1965 p12. Announcement of wake for Richard and Mary Ogura.   Died Monday 22 Nov 1965.  Richard born 15 Apr 1926 in Salem.  Mary Y Mio b 25 Feb 1926 in Salem.  Richard was WW2 vet.  Survived by a son Steven Richard and two daughters, Rebecca Lynn and Lori Jean all of Ontario.  Also Parents Mr and Mrs Charles Ogura, brothers Tom Ogura of Ontario and Henry Ogura of Yakima.  Therr sisters Mrs Minnie Itow, NYC; Mrs Sumi Oshiro, West Covina, CA; Mrs Esther Semba of Charmichael, CA.
  25. Idaho Statesman 25 Nov 1965 p20. Wake services for Richard William Ogura and Mary Ogura both 39 formerly scheduled for Fri evening have been canceled.  They died Monday at their rural Ontario home.  Funeral services at 2 on Sat.
  26. Idaho Statesman 12 Feb 1966 p 18. Announcement of an auction of the estate of Richard Ogura.  Extensive list of farming machinery and household items.  Estate owners C K and Richard Ogura.
  27. Idaho Statesman 23 Feb 1967 p 36. Charles and Tommy Ogura obit.  Charles b 23 Aug 1882 in Japan.  Came to Ontario in 1943.  Married Chiyo Nakashima in Portland on Aug 22 1967.  Retired farmer.  Died on 21 Feb 1967.  Surv: Chiyo Ogura, Ontario; son Henry Ogura, Yakama.  Daughters: Mrs Minnie Itow, NYC; Mrs Sumi Oshiro, West Covina, CA; Mrs Esther Semba, Carmichael, CA.  Brothers: Fred Ogura, LA, CA; Miyoshi Ogura, Japan.  16 grandchildren.
  28. Feb 1967 Social Security Death Record.
    1. Charles Ogura. 540-44-1032.  B 23 Aug 1882.  SSN issued in 1955 in OR.  Last res.  Ontario, OR 97914.  D Feb 1967.
    2. Tommy Ogura. 543-46-6167.  B 4 Jul 1916.  SSN issued in 1958/59 in Oregon.  D Feb 1967.
  29. The Idaho Statesman 21 Feb 1967 p12. Tommy Ogura obit.  Age 50 died in Ontario, OR hospital on 18 Feb 1967.  B 4 Jul 1916 in Oregon and lived there his whole life.  Lived in Vale then Ontario for 22 years, farming for 10yrs, operated a radio shop for 10yrs and past for years employed in the Sugar Bowl at Nyssa and Bye Lanes in Ontario.  Married Toshiko Tsugawa in Salem on 7 Apr 1940.  Four daughters: Mrs Rodney Eden, Ontario; Linda Ogura, San Fransico; Marianne and Debbie at home.
  30. 1975 Find a Grave. Chiyo Ogura.  B 1897 d 1975.  Buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Ontario, OR.  No obit.
  31. 1982 California Divorce Index. Sumi Oshiro divorced Henry in Los Angeles on 7 Jul 1982.
  32. 1980 The Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan 1988 p40. Esther C Semba obit.  D 5 Jan 1987 in Carmichael, CA at age 56.  Sister of Henry Ogura, Mrs Minnie Itow, Mrs Sumi Osiro.
  33. 1988 Sacramento Bee 7 Jan 1988 p40. Esther C Semba obit.  Wife of late Russ Semba.  Mother of Scott and Lance.  Sister of Henry Ogura, Minnie Itow and Sumi Oshiro.  Grandmother of Eric Boyd Semba.  Native of Salem, OR.  Died at age 56.
  34. 1990 Public Records Index. Minnie Itow b Mar 1919.  Res in 1990 548 Covina, CA 91723.
  35. 1992 Public Records Index. Minnie M Itow res 3185 Crescent St Apt 411, Long Island, NY.
  36. 1995 Washington Death Records. Henry F Ogura 66 b abt 1929 res Yakima, WA died on 24 Mar 1995 in Yakima, WA.
  37. 1995 Find a Grave. Henry F Ogura b 19 Sep 1928 d 24 Mar 1995.  Cemetery Terrace Heights Memorial Park, Yakama, WA.   Wife Mary T Ogura 4 May 1931 to 25 Jul 1991, same cemetery.  Married 6 Jun 1954.
  38. 2008 Social Security Death Index. Sumi Oshiro.  SSN 092-22-4928 issued in NY.  F 26 Feb 1921.  D 21 Jan 2008 in Covina, CA.

Parents

Children
Fred Suyewo Ogura (1895-1978) Virginia Chisuko Ogrua Takashima  (c.1920-1957)
Sayo Nakahara Oguma Ogura (c. 1894 -1975)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Vale, Oregon/Ontario, Oregon –> Los Angeles

The family of Fred Suyewo Ogura included his wife Sayo and daughter Virginia Chisuko, was was removed to the Tule Lake Japanese Internment Camp on 2 Jun 1942 and was released in Sep 1943.

Fred Ogura was born 3 Mar 1895 and immigrated to the US in 1915 at age 20.  His older brother a Kyioji (Charles) immigrated in 1900 and Fred may have lived with him near Salem for some time but that cannot be confirmed.  So, not much is known about Fred’s life for his first 15 years in the US.  In 1930, he appears as a boarder and farm helper living with the Tatsuye Oguma family in Marshland, Columbia County, OR.  Tatsuye’s wife, Sayo was just one year older than Fred and the Oguma family included daughters Hatsue age 12 and Chizuko (Virginia) age 10.

In 1938, the Portland, OR City Directory shows Fred living in Portland with Sayo and working as a grocer.  Not until Jan 1940 did Fred marry the now divorced Sayo.  Their Washington marriage license application showed them living at the same address in Vancouver.  Apparently Sayo divorced Tatsuye but there seems to be no official record of the separation. There also seems to be no record of Tatsuye Oguma or his daughter Hatsue after 1938.  Hatsue was 18 to 20 at the time so, it is at least possible that she and her father decided to return to Japan which resulted from the divorce or was a reason for the divorce.

In 1940, Fred, Sayo and her daughter Chizuko (20) were living on Alta St in Portland.  Fred was a proprietor and grocer.  However, in early 1942, the family moved to Brooks, OR and the farm home of Fred’s brother C K Ogura.  This move may have resulted from realization that internment is eminent.  The two Ogura families were removed to Tule Lake on the same day in Jun 1942.

Fred and family were released from Tule Lake on 23 Sep 1943, a few months after C K’s family.  Fred and Sayo did not say where they planned to live, but 23-year-old Chizuko (Virginia) said she was moving to Vale, OR.  A two-year-old member of C K’s family also went to Vale for some reason while the rest of her extended family went to Ontario, OR.

By 1950 54-year-old Fred was unemployed (apparently retired) and living in an apartment on Alaska St in Portland along with Sayo.  In short order, Fred and Sayo moved to Los Angeles, CA possibly because the now married Chizuko Virginia was there.  In 1954, Fred obtained his U S citizenship.  Three short years later, in Mar 1957 Chizuko Virginia passed away from an unknown cause, leaving a son, Dennis.  There is no record of her husband being in the picture.

Sayo passed away in May 1975 and is buried with daughter Chizuko Virginia in the Evergreen Cemetery, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.  Fred died in Dec 1978 and is buried with his wife and daughter.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Ogura)
First, MI (Sex) Fred (46) Sayo (47) Virginia  C (22) OSC
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Mgr Management
Total Schooling in Japan 13 8 None
Educational Degree HS in Japan No Degree 1 yr College
Year First Arrived in US 1915 1917 NA
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 20+ Less than 6 mos
Visits to Japan 1 2 1
Indv Number 15715A 15715B 15715C
Year of Birth 1895 1894 1920
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Methodist
Skill Retail Manager Sales Clerk Sales Clerk
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex)  (Sueo) Fred Sayo (Chisuko) Virginia
DOB 3 Mar 1895 24 Jul 1894 19 Jan 1920
Marital Status M F F
Citizenship J J US
Sex M M F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 25 Sep1943 25 Sep 1943 24 Sep 1943
Age at Dep 48 49 23
Destination Not Shown Not Shown Vale, OR
  1. 1918 Oregon State Birth Record. Hatsue Oguma b 8 Feb 1918 in Portland, OR.  F Tatsuye Oguma 25 mill worker.  M Sayo Nakahara 24 housewife.  Both res at 587 Overton, Portland, OR.
  2. 1920 Oregon Daily Journal 17 Oct 1920 p21. T Oguma escaped serious injury with his vegetable truck ran head-on into a streetcar at E 8th and Burnside.
  3. 1920 Federal Census. T Oguma 27 b abt 1893 in Japan.  Res rented farmland in Columbia, Multnomah, OR.  Japanese.  Immigration year 1908.  Married HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  Able to speak English.  Farmer, truck farm.  Alien.  T Oguma 27 HOH, Sayo Oguma 25 wife, Hatsuye Oguma 1 dua.
  4. 1920 Oregon State Births. Chizuko Oguma.  B 19 Jan 1920 in Portland, OR.  Father J Oguma.  M S Nakahara.
  5. 1929 Washington State Arriving and Departing Pass and Crew lists. Chizuko Oguma.  Single.  Age 9 b in 1920 in Portland, OR.  Last Res Marshland, OR.  Departed Yokohama, Japan.  Arrival Jun 1929 at Seattle, WA on Africa Maru.  Person in old country Yokuto Oguma.
  6. 1930 Federal Census. Fred S Ogura.  34 b abt 1896 in Japan.  Single.  Res in Marshland, Columbia, OR.  Able to read/write yes.  F and M b in Japan.  Language spoken Japanese.  Immigration year 1915.  Alien.  Farm Manager.  Tatsuye Oguma 36 HOH, Sayo Oguma 35 wife of HOH, Hatsue Oguma 12 Dau, Chizuko Oguma 10 dau, Fred S Ogura 34 boarder.
  7. 1938 Portland CD. Fred Ogura (Sayo)  8030 North Jersey (North Jersey Market)
  8. 1940 Washington State Marriage Record. Fred Sugewo Ogura 44 b abt 1896.  Single Farmer.  License application date 18 Jan 1940 in Clark County, WA.  Res Rt 2, box 183, Vancouver, WA.  Father Sakajiro Ogura. Mather Iwano Yokoyama.  Both born in Japan.  Spouse Sayo Oguma 45 same address.  Divorced, one marriage, farmer.  F Ikujiro Nakahara.  M Jasu Inouye.  Both born in Japan.
  9. 1940 Federal Census. Fred S Ogura 44 b abt 1896 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Rants a home on Alta St, Portland, OR.  Inferred res in 1935, Portland, OR.  Alien.  Proprietor Grocer.  4th yr HS.  Income from other sources yes.  Fred S Ogura 44 HOH, Sayo Ogura 44 wife, Chizuko Ogura 20 Daughter.
  10. 1942 WW2 Draft Record. Fred Suyewa Ogura.  Asian.  Reg age 46.  B 3 Aug 1895 in Japan.  Res Rt 1 Box 256, Brooks, OR.  NOK and employer C K Ogura.  Reg 27 Apr 1942.
  11. 1942 Interned 2 Jun 1942
  12. 1943 Released 25 Sep 1943 to unknown location (except Chisuko Virginia planned to move to Vale, OR)
  13. 1950 Federal Census. Fred S Ogura 54 b abt 1896 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res at 4002 N Alaska apt 6, Portland, OR.  Citizen.  Occupation not shown.  (Retired)  Fred S Ogura 54 HOH, Sayo Ogura 55 wife.
  14. 1954 Naturalization Record. Fred Suyeqo Ogura.  Res 401 S Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA.  B 3 Aug 1895.  Cert issued 29 Jul 1954 in Los Angeles, CA.
  15. 1957 Find-a-Grave. Chizuko Virginia Takashima.  B 19 Jun n1920.  D 7 Mar 1957 in Los Angeles County, CA.  Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles County, CA.
  16. 1957 Los Angeles Times 9 Mar 1957 p22. Mrs Virginia Takashima funeral service notice.  Mother of Dennis Takashima.  Union Church, 120 North San Pedro St.  Fukue Mortuary.
  17. 1975 Find-a-Grave. Sayo Ogura.  B 24 Jul 1894.  D 10 May 1975 in Los Angeles County, CA.  Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles County, CA.
  18. 1978 Find-a-Grave. Fred Suyewo Ogura.  B 3 Aug 1895.  D20 Dec 1978 in Los Angeles County, CA.  Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles County, CA.
  19. 1978 California Death Record. Fred Sueo Ogura.  SSN 519-26-0993.  B 3 Aug 1895 in Japan.  D 20 Dec 1978 in Los Angeles.

Parents

Children
Enzo Okuda (1878-1965) Martha Okuda Tachino Moore (1917-2005)
Taka Okahashi (c.1900-1978)

Chemawa, Oregon -> Tule Lake -> Nebraska –> Los Angeles

Enzo and Taka Okuda were interned at Tule Lake Japanese Internment camp on 2 Jun 1942 and released on 13 Sep 1943.  Their daughter Martha A Okuda would have been 24 at the time but there is no record her being interned at any time.

Enzo Okuda was born 12 Jun 1878 and arrived in the US 1899 at age 21 intending to stay.  He settled in Seattle, WA working as a clerk.  In 1908 he married 18-year-old Taka Okahashi.  Both were born in the same Japanese prefect so the marriage may have been arranged there.

By 1910, the couple had made a grand move to Havre, MT where Enzo began working as a clerk at an oriental trading company.  The couple also ran a boarding house for eight Japanese immigrants who worked clerks, railroad workers, cooks and servants.  The 1910 census records show that a total of 1585 persons of Japanese descent lived in Montana, down from 2441 in 1900.  Most of those earlier Japanese most likely worked building the Great Northern railroad lines.

We can assume that many Japanese left Montana due to lack of meaningful work and the Okuda’s were one family to do so.  In 1920, Enzo, Taka and their 3-year-old daughter Martha Aiko were living on rented farmland on River Road in the Chemawa district of Salem, OR.  Enzo owned a property there by 1930, 13-year-old was apparently flourishing in school.  In 1939, Martha was a student at Willamette University where she was active in women’s sports.  She also took some time to study in Hawaii.  She returned in 1940.

From the census in 1940 we find Enzo and Taka again on rented farmland in rural Salem They were joined again by Martha but she didn’t stay long.  The 1940 Seattle City Directory shows Martha as a Fellow at the University of Washington living as a boarder at 3931 15th St.

Enzo and Taka were interned at Tule Lake in the summer of 1942 but there is no record of Martha suffering the same fate in any internment camp.  Nor is there a record of her future husband Harry Tachino being in any camp.  It’s possible that Martha got a job away from the west coast just before orders were received to round up Japanese and Japanese Americans.  In June 1943, just prior to her parent’s release, Martha was a Social Worker in Lincoln, NE where she married Harry.  Martha remained in Nebraska until at least 1947 when Harry is shown to be unemployed.

By 1950, Enzo and Taka had retired to Los Angeles, CA where Martha then lived.  However, there is some discrepancy as to Martha’s marital status.  One reference shows her as the head-of-household at the address where her parents lived.  Another reference shows her living three blocks away at the same address as her husband Harry.

By Feb, 1951 Martha and her parents were all living at 2142 Valentine St, Los Angeles, CA when both Enzo and Taka received official notification of the new US citizenship.  Martha had apparently divorced.  Enzo died in 1965 and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA next to Taka who died in 1978.  In 1985, Martha married Felix E Moore and lived her last years in South Lake Tahoe, CA where she died in 2005.

 

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Okuda)
First, MI (Sex) Enzo (63) Taka (52) Martha A (24) UW Soc Teach
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake No Record
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Mgmt Professional
Total Schooling in Japan 9 15
Educational Degree No Degree HS in Japan
Year First Arrived in US 1899 1908
Length of Time in Japan 20+ 20+
Visits to Japan 3 2
Indv Number 1517A 15717B No other fam
Year of Birth 1878 1890
Place of Birth Japan Japan
Religion Protestant Protestant
Skill Truck Farming Farm Hand
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Enso Taka Martha A
DOB 12 Jun 1878 3 Jan 1890 No Record
Marital Status M M
Citizenship J J
Sex M F
Original Entry Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 13 Sep 1943 13 Sep 1943
Age at Dep 65 53
Destination Not Shown Not Shown
Family Number 15717 15717 No other fam
  1. 1908 Washington Marriage Records. Enzo Okuda 30, clerk, married Taka Okahashi 18 in Seattle, WA.  Both were born in the same Japanese prefect.
  2. 1910 Federal Census. Enzo Okuda 32 b abt 1878 in Japan.  Res Rents house in Havre Ward 2, Chouteau County, Montana.  Japanese.  Immigration year 1899.  Married HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  Speaks English.  Clerk, Oriental Trading Co.  Wage earner.  Alien.  Years married 2.  Enzo Okuda 32 HOH, Toke Okuda 21 wife and boarders Tomos Noniura 29 (clerk, oriental trading co), Kiyuyiro Ogawa 42, Itaro Hixaoka 26,  Kazo Homma 28, Chyuyiro Terayamo 23, Hiko Kuro Naka 30, Hizako Tamaki 19, Masaki Meada 24.  All other boarders were porters at hotels or salons.  (20+ names following this entry were of Japanese descent and were railroad workers, cooks, servants)
  3. 1910 Department of Commerce and Labor 1910 Census Statistical Analysis: Total Japanese in Montana in 1910 – 1585.  Down from 2441 in 1900.
  4. 1920 Federal Census. Enzo Okuda 41 b abt 1879 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res River Rd, Chemawa, OR.   Owned a Farm free of mortgage.  Japanese.  Immigration year 1900.  F and M b in Japan.  Able to speak, read and write English.  Farmer.  Alien.  Enzo Okuda 41 HOH, Toka Okuda 29 wife, Martha Aiko Okuda 3.
  5. 1930 Federal Census. Enzo Okuda 51 b abt 1879 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res on own  farmland in rural Chemawa, Marion County, OR.  No radio set.  Garderner, Truck Garden.  Alien.  F and M b in Japan.  Language spoken Japanese.  Immigration year 1900.  Speaks English.  Farmer.  Enzo Okuda 51 HOH, Taka Okuda 40 wife, Martha A Okuda 13 dau.
  6. 1939 Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists. Martha Aiko Okuda 22 b abt 1917 in Seattle, WA.  Japanese American student.  Speaks Japanese and English.  Last Residence Salem, OR.  Final destination Honolulu, T. H.  Arrived 7 Sep 1939 on Empress of Canada.  Length of time in US Permanently.  Person in old country Mr E Okuda, Rt 2 Box 352, Salem, OR.
  7. 1939 Willamette University Yearbook. Martha Okuda, Senior, Salem, OR.  Women’s archery and baseball.
  8. 1940 Arriving and Departing Crew Lists. Martha Okuda 23 b abt 1917.  Depart 28 Jun 1940 Honolulu, HI bound for San Francisco, CA. on the ship Lurline.
  9. 1940 Federal Census. Enzo Okuda 62 b abt 1878 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res on rented farmland in rural Chemawa, Marion County, OR.  Garderner, Truck Garden.  Alien.  Employer. HS 4th year.  Income from other sources.  Engo Okuda 62 HOH, Taka Okuda 50 wife, Martha Okuda 24 dau.
  10. 1940 Lincoln Nebraska CD. Harry Tachino, hatchery worker, r 1536 P.
  11. 1942 Seattle CD. Martha A Okuda.  University Fellow, UofW h 3931 15th Av NE, Seattle, WA.
  12. 2 Jun 1942. Enzo and Taka interned at Tule Lake.
  13. 13 Sep 1943. Enzo and Taka released.
  14. 1943 Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska) 7 Jun 1943 p9. Miss Martha Okuda marries Harry Tachino on Sat 5 Jun 1943.  Miss Toyo Okuda is cousin of bride.  Martha is only daughter of Mr and Mrs Enzo Okuda and formally of Salem, OR.  Martha native of Seattle is a graduate of Willamette University; graduate work at the University of Hawaii and University of Washington.  Attended University of Nebraska where she received her professional training in social work.  Member of Pi Gamma Mu and Alpha Kappa Delta.  Groom attended Freson State college.
  15. 1942-1946 Final Accountability Rosters of Evacuees. No entries for a Martha A Okuda or Harry Tachino.
  16. 1947 Lincoln, Nebraska CD. Mrs Martha A Tachino.  Psychiatric Social Worker. R2400 R.  Shows Harry Tachino at same address no occupation.
  17. 1950 Federal Census. Enzo Okuda 72 b abt 1878.  Married father of HOH.  Lives at 2142 Avon Park Terrace, Los Angeles, CA.  A citizen.  Retired.  Martha Tachino 32 HOH, Enzo Okuda 72 father, Taka Okuda 60 mother.  Martha works for the Veteran’s Administration.  Husband Harry not shown.  Address about 3 blocks away from the address shown in the voter registration below.
  18. 1950 California Voter Registration. Harry M and Mrs Martha Tachino, 2142 Valentine St, D.
  19. 1951 Federal Naturalization Records.  Enzo Okuda 72 b 12 Jun 1878 in Takata, Naraken, Japan.  Departed Yokohama, Japan, arrived Seattle, WA. On 311 Aug 1911.  Ship Sado Maru.  Married Taka (b 3 Jan 1890) on 9 May 1908 in Seattle, WA.  Declaration date 23 Feb 1951 in Los Angeles, CA.  Lives at 2142 Valentine St, Los Angeles, CA with daughter Martha b 28 Mar 1917 in Seattle, WA.
  20. 1951 Federal Naturalization Records.  Taka Okuda 61 b 3 Mar 1890 in Kibi Shikigun Nara-ken, Japan.  Departed Yokohama, Japan, arrived Seattle, WA. On 24 Apr 1913.  Ship Awa Maru.  Married Taka (b 3 Jan 1890) on 9 May 1908 in Seattle, WA.  Declaration date 16 Feb 1951 in Los Angeles, CA.  Lives at 2142 Valentine St, Los Angeles, CA with daughter Martha b 28 Mar 1917 in Seattle, WA.
  21. 1965 Find a Grave. Enzo Okuda b 1878 d 1965.  Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA.
  22. 1978 Find a Grave. Taka Okuda b 1890 d 1978.  Buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA.
  23. 1985 California Marriage Records. Martha A Tachino 67 b abt 1918 married Felix E Moore 72 on 15 Mar 1985 in El Dorado, CA.
  24. 1885 California Marriage Index. Martha A Okuda
  25. 2005 Find a Grave. Martha T Moore b 1917 d 2005 Cemetery Happy Homestead Cemetery, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, CA. next to husband Felix E Moore, 1212-1993.

More Resources:

Martha Okuda attended Willamette University.  Learn more about her college experience and find articles in which she was mentioned with Willamette University’s digitized newspaper database.

 

Parents

Children
Takashi James Osaki (1904-1967) Hideo Ronald Osaki (1939-1989)
Masaye Martha Nakashima Osaki (c. 1914-1999) Marlene Osaki (1943-)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Idaho -> Ontario, Oregon –> Portland, Oregon

The small family of Takashi James Osaki including his wife Masaye Martha and son Hideo Ronald were was removed to Tule Lake on 2 Jun 1942 and released in late Sep 1943.

Takashi Osaki was born 10 Aug 1904 and immigrated to the US in 1921 at age 17.  He would join his father, Eichiro, who immigrated 4 years earlier. Takashi’s mother, Chiyoko remained in Japan.  In 1920, Ichiro was a partner in a railroad section crew in Wasco County, OR.  The crew was a mix of Japanese and Mexican immigrants.

Ichiro may have moved to Portland by time his son arrived since that is where Takashi claimed as his U S destination.  There seems to be no record of Eichiro after 1921 so he may have returned to Japan.  However, Takashi remained and by 1930, he was a lumber mill worker living in a boarding house in Wauna, OR.   His fellow boarders were also Japanese immigrants and many were married but apparently separated from their spouses.

Also in 1930, Takashi’s future wife, Martha Nakashima and her nephew Henry Ogura attended a social function in Brooks, OR which may explain Takashi’s future connection to that area of the state.

On 27 Sep 1937, 33-year-old Takashi married 24-year-old, US born Martha in Portland and by 1940, they had a 10-month-old son, Ronald.  The family rented a home at 312 NE 16th Ave in Portland and Takashi was employed as a hoist/wench operator.  Records show that he had graduated from HS and worked about 32 hours per week.

Takashi’s Feb 1942 draft card shows the family still living on 16th St and that he was working for West Oregon Lumber Company.  However, in a fairly short time, the family moved to Brooks, OR where there was a thriving Japanese community.  The family may have moved to be near relatives, possibly the Ogura family, but the move was most likely caused by the pending detainment of Japanese and Japanese Americans.  On 2 Jun 1942, the family was interred at the Tule Lake camp in Northern California.  Records show that their daughter Marlene was born on 21 Dec 1943, while the family was interred.  However, later records show that she was born in Hunt, ID which is obviously not near Tule Lake.  It is possible that the family was moved to the Minidoka Camp in Idaho prior to Marlene’s birth.  This camp was a one hour drive from Hunt.

The family was finally released in the summer of 1942 and Takashi said he planned to settle the family in Ontario, OR.  However, there is no record of them doing so.  By 1950, the family had moved back to Portland where Takashi and Martha managed the Butte hotel at 610 NW Davis St.  Takashi was now 45 and was known as James.

In 1954, James obtained US citizenship in Portland while he and Martha still managed the Hunt.  Within a few years, their two children, Ronald and Marlene, graduated from Lincoln HS in Portland.  Sadly, on 12 Dec 1967, James died of a heart attack at his home at 5841 NE 17th Ave in Porlland.  He was only 62.  Martha lived many more years and died on 6 Apr 1999.

Ronald married in 1969 and was employed as an equipment calibration technician in Beaverton, OR.  An Apr 1976 Statesman Journal article mentioned Marlene as a Fraud Department Investigator for US National Bank.  Additional information about their lives is unavailable.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Osaki)
First, MI (Sex) James T (37) Martha M (29) Ronald H (2)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M US
Father’s Occ Laborer Service Craftsman
Total Schooling in Japan 10 yrs 0 0
Educational Degree HS in Japan No Degree No Degree
Year First Arrived in US 1921 NA NA
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 yrs Never in Japan Never in Japan
Visits to Japan 1
Indv Number 15770A 15770B 15770C
Year of Birth 1904 1913 1939
Place of Birth Japan Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Methodist Methodist
Skill Saw Mill Ops Waitress
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Takashi James Masaye Martha Hideo Ronald Marlene Chiyoko
DOB 10 Aug 1904 1 Sep 1913 5 Jun 1939 21 Dec1943
Marital Status M M S S
Citizenship Japan US US US
Sex M F M F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 21 Dec 1943
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR N/A
Date of Dep 4 Jan 1946 8 Jan 1945 8 Jan 1945 8 Jan 1945
Age at Dep 42 32 6 2
Destination No Entry No Entry No Entry
Family Number 15770 15770 15770
  1. 1920 Federal Census. Eijior Ozaki 45, b abt 1875 in Japan.  Res Celilo, Wasco, OR.  Immigrated in 1917.  Married.  Partner on a railroad crew.  Unable to speak English.  Alien.  Nareyuki Nimba 24 head, (the remaining men are shown as partners) Antonia Restill 36, Eijiro Ozaki 45, Juroko Hagashi 45, Sipriano Barboza 22, Joe Montero 36, G Bltaza 33.
  2. 1921 Washington Arriving Passenger Lists. Takashi Osaki,18 b in 1903, arrived from Seattle from Kobe, Japan, in Jun 1921 on the ship Suwa Maru.  He was seeking permanent residency and his point of contract in the US was his father, Eichiro.  His mother Chiyoko remained in Japan.
  3. 1930 Federal Census. Takashi Ozaki 25 b abt 1905 in Japan.  Japanese.  Single boarder.  Res boarding house in Wauna, Clatsop County, OR.  Able to read and write Japanese.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigrated in 1921.  Alien.  Lumber Mill Laborer.  Jackson Fenton 62 HOH, (remaining persons boarders) Jiziro Tanabi 60, Shichi Misaki 45, Jinshiro Hiroshige 45, Yoneichi Nishida 49, Juijiro Nakagawa 46, Dikichi Akiyama 58, Komasaburo Eito 46, Kamataro Onishi 51, Chris Kichi Shima 41 and 25 more.  All boarders born in Japan except Jimmy Onishi 21 b in Oregon.  16 of the boarders were married.
  4. SJ 5 Oct 1930 p18. Brooks Ladies Society entertained at the home of Mrs H B Kibby.  In attendance was Miss Martha Nakashima and her nephew Henry Ogura.
  5. 1937 Oregon Marriage Record. Takashi Ozaka 33 b abt 1904 in Japan, married Martha M Nakashima 24 b abt 1913 in Japan, on 26 Sep 1937 in Portland, OR.
  6. 1940 Federal Census. Takashi Osake 35 b abt 1905 in Japan.  Japanese.  Married HOH.  Rents house at 312 NW 16th Ave, Portland, OR.  Inferred res in 1935 rural Clatsop County, OR.  Alien.  Jump Roll Operator (Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.)  High School 4 yrs. Hrs worked 32.   Worked 35 weeks in 1939.  Takashi Osaki 35 HOH, Martha Osaki 27 wife, Ronald Osaki 10 mos.
  7. 1942 Draft Card. Takashi Osaki 37 b 10 Aug 1904 in Japan.  HOH res 312 NW 16 Av, Portland, OR.  Reg on 14 Feb 1942.  Empl West Oregon Lumber Co.  Wife Martha Osaki.
  8. 2 Jun 1942 Family interned
  9. 25 Sep 1943 Family released
  10. 1950 Federal Census. James T Osaki 45 b abt 1905 in Japan.  Japanese.  Married HOH.  129 NW 6th, Portland, OR, Apartment House/Hotel.  Janitor.  James T Osaki 45 HOH, Martha N Osaki 37 wife proprietor (b in OR), Ronald H Osaki 10 son (b in OR), Marlene C Osaki 6 dau (b in Idaho).  21 lodgers.
  11. 1953 Portland CD. Mrs Martha Osaki.  Mgr of the Butte Hotel.  610 NW Davis, Portland, OR.  No James T or Takashi listed.  Tomikichi (Tome) listed with res of 3929 N Mississippi Ave.
  12. 1954 US Naturalization Record. Takashi Osaki arrived in Seattle, WA    Res 610 NW Davis St, Portland, OR.  Hotel owner.  B 10 Aug 1904 in Japan.  Married wife Martha Nakashima Osaki on 26 Sep 1937 in Portland, OR.  She was born on 9 Jan 1913 in Portland.  Children Ronald Hideo b 6 May 1939 in Portland, OR now lives in Portland; Marlene Chiyeko b 21 Dec 1943 in Hunt, Idaho, now lives in Portland.  Arrived in the US at the port of Seattle, WA on 10 Jun1921 on the ship Suwa Maru.
  13. 1957 Lincoln HS Yearbook, Portland, OR. Ronald H Osaki, 18 b abt 1939.  Senior.
  14. 1967 Oregon Death Record. James Takashi Osaki 62 b 1904.  Japanese. Died of a heart attack in Portland, OR on 12 Dec 1967.  Father Eijiro Osaki.  Wife Martha Osaki.  Resided and died at 5841 NE 17th Ave, Portland, OR
  15. 1968. Ronald Hideo Osaki, b 6 May 1939, Calibration Tech, res 2435 SW Ecole, Beaverton, OR, married Tracy Dian Stiffen, b 21 Mar 1945 in LaGrand, OR, Switchboard Oper, res 4212 SW 39th, Portland, OR, on 29 Feb 1968.
  16. SJ 11 Apr 1976 p43. Article about fraud schemes in Oregon mentions Marlene Osaki as a Fraud Department Investigator for US National Bank.
  17. 1989 Social Security Claims Index. Ronald Hideo Osaki b 6 May 1939 in Portland, OR.  D Jun 1989.  F/M James T and Matha Osaki.  SSN 544-4014-480.
  18. 1999 Social Security Death Index. Martha N Osaki.  SSN 542-01-11265 issued in OR before 1951. B 9 Jan 1913.  Last res 97214, Portland, OR.  D 6 Apr 1999.

 

Primary Source Materials

Interview of Tom Oye.  Concordia Univerisity-St. Paul, Special Collections, Oral History Project World War II Years.  Interview conducted by Thomas Saylor in 2002. Listen here (digital transcript available)  –

Parents

Children
Tetsuo (Tom) Semba (1903-1991) Oliver Toshio Semba (1936-)
Yukie Saito Semba (1918 – 2010) Hiroko Semba Lacar (1940-2021)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> California

The family of Tetsuo Semba including his wife Yukie, son Oliver and daughter Hiroko, was removed to Tule Lake on 2 Jun 1942 and released in late Nov 1945.

Tetsuo (Tom) Semba was born 15 Apr 1903 in Japan.  He first immigrated to the US in 1919 at age 17.  Not much is known of his early years in the US, but by 1925 he lived and owned a hauling truck in Brooks, OR.  He returned to Japan at least once by ship and passed through Hawaii possibly more than once.  On a return in 1935, he returned Oregon after landing in San Francisco.

Tetsuo’s stops in Hawaii may have had a purpose because on 18 Oct 1935, he married Hawaii born Yukie Saito.   The couple remained on a farm on Van Cleave Rd in Brooks and they had their first child Oliver Toshio in 1936.  By 1940, Tetsuo’s father and mother were living with the family.  There seems to be no other record of the father and mother so, with war approaching, they may have returned to Japan.  Possibly just after Yukie had her second child, daughter Hiroko.

In Jun in 1942, the family of 38-year-old Tetsuo Semba was interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until Nov 1945.  They stayed longer than other families possibly because they wanted to move to Central California which was in the Japanese Exclusion Zone which was in effect until the end of the war.  Other families were released earlier in order to move to locations out of the Zone.

By 1950, the family was well established in Merced, CA while Oliver and Hiroko doing well in school.  Tetsuo, now Tom, was a farm worker.  Records show that the family Stockton and finally settling in San Mateo where the children graduated from High School.  Oliver was mentioned often in the local newspaper for his football prowess.  Hiroko was well regarded for her academic achievements.

After graduation, the record for Oliver and Hiroko is slim.  Tom and Yukie remained in the San Francisco Bay area until Tom passed away on 30 Nov 1991.  Yukie lived over 19 more years, passing away on 27 Oct 2010.

Oliver married and was living in Los Alstos, CA. when he passed away at some time prior to 2021.  That’s the year that Hiroko passed at age 81 leaving three children.  She was married to Delfin J Lacar but widowed 1997.  She worked most of her live, traveled extensively and was an avid animal lover.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Semba)
First, MI (Sex) Tom T (38) Yukie (Ukie) (25) Oliver (Toshio) (6) Hiroko (2)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Hawaii

 F Japan

M Hawaii
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Mgmt Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan 8 yrs 10 Never in Japan Never in Japan
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree
Year First Arrived in US 1919
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 yrs 15-20 yrs
Visits to Japan 2 1
Indv Number 15730A 15730B 15730C 15730D
Year of Birth 1902 1918 1936 1940
Place of Birth Japan Hawaii Oregon Oregon
Religion Protestant Protestant Protestant Protestant
Skill Truck Farmer Midwife
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) TetsuoTom T Yukie (Ukie) Toshio Oliver Hiroko
DOB 15 Apr 1902 16 Apr 1902 13 Apr 1936 1 Jun 1940
Marital Status M M S F
Citizenship Japan US US US
Sex M F M M
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 9 Nov 1945 23 Nov 1945 3 Nov 1945 23 Nov 1945
Age at Dep 43 40 11 5
Destination Sacto, CA Lodi, CA Lodi, CA Lodi, CA
Fam Number 15730 15730 15730 15730
  2. US Index of Alien Case Files. Tetsuo Semba b 15 Apr 1903 in Japan.  Arrival at unknown port 20 Oct 1919.
  3. 1925 Oregon Vehicle Reg Records. Tetsuo Semba, Brooks, OR.  Sampson 18 tk.
  4. 1935 HI Arriving Passenger Lists. Tetsuo Semba 31 b abt 1904 arrived in Honolulu on 8 Mar 1935 from Japan on the ship President Coolidge.
  5. 1935 CA Arriving Passenger Lists.  Tetsuo Semba 31 b abt 1904 in Japan.  Single Japanese.  Departed Honolulu, HI.  Arrived San Francisco on 25 Apr 1935 on the ship Malolo.  Alien.  Destination, Salem, OR.  Years in US Permanent.  Last Res, Salem, OR.  Accompanied by Mr S Igarashi.
  6. CJ 19 Oct 1935 p7. Marriage license issued to Tetsuo Tom Semba and Yjkie Saito both of Salem.
  7. 1935 Washington State Marriage Record. Tetsuo Tom Semba 30 b abt 1905 in Japan  married Julie Saito on 18 Oct 1935 in Clark County, WA.  Father Teutaro Semba.  M Harl Semba.
  8. 1940 Federal Census. Tom Semba 37 b abt 1903 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res owns farm on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Alien.  Farm operator.  6th grade edu.  Tom Semba 37 HOH, Yukie Semba 23 wife (b in Hawaii, M and F b in Japan), Norkis O Semba 4 son (b in Oregon), Tetautaro Semba 62 father, Ham Semba 61 mother.
  9. 2 Jun 1942 family interred.
  10. Nov 1945 family released to Sacramento and Loda, CA.
  11. 1947 Alien Declaration of Intention. Thomas Hiroshi Semba (Tetsuo’s father). 65 b 21 Nov 1891 on Japan.  Lives in Tacoma, WA with wife Shima also b in Japan.  Both entered US in Aug 1907.  Works as an Insurance Agent.  Six children and current res:  Ted H, Woodstock, IL; Frank, Gary, IN; Yatake, uknown town, MN; Maymo, Detroit, MI; Tohmas T, ukn.
  12. 1950 Federal Census. Tetsuo Semba 43 b abt 1907 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res farm South of South Dos Palos, Merced, CA.  Farm worker.  F and M b in Japan.  School completed S8.  Not a vet.  Tetsuo Semba 43 HOH, Yukiye Semba 32 wife, Oliver T Semba 14 son, Hiroko Semba 9 dau.
  13. 1948 and 1950 Stockton CD.  Tom, Yukie and Oliver Semba 2 box 319 Acampo, Stockton, CA.
  14. San Mateo Times 6 Dec 1954 p10. San Mateo HS football guard Oliver Semba was named to second-string All-Northern California prep football club.
  15. 1958 San Mateo High School Yearbook.  Hiroko Semba 16 b abt 1942
  16. 1991 California Death Index. Tetsuo Tom Semba b 15 Apr 1903 in Japan.  D 30 Nov 1991 in San Mateo, CA.  SSN 572-3679-952.
  17. 1997 Find-a-Grave. Delfin J Lacar.  B 1934.  D 1997 in Vellejo, CA.  Buried at Skyview Memorial Lawn.
  18. 2010 Social Security Death Index. Yukie Semba b 26 Nov 1918 d  27 Oct 2010.  SSN 552-46-6994.  Last res 95014, Cupertino, CA
  19. US Public Records Index. Oliver T Semba b Apr 1936. Res 1974-2020 22350 Janice Ave, Cupertino, CA 95014. Res 1983-2008 121 Main St, Los Altos, CA 94022.
  20. 2020 US Public Records Hiroko S Lacar b Jun 1940.  Res date 1973-2020.  380 Springbrook Dr, Vellejo, CA 9495.
  21. 2021 US Obituary Collection. Semba (Female)  81 b 13 Jul 1940 in Oregon.  D 8 Nov 2021.  F Tom Semba.  M Tuki Semba.  Spouse Delfin John Lacar.  Children:  Diane Lacar Diez, Michael Lacar, Dennis Lacar.
  22. Legacy.com, Times-Herald. Hiroko Lacar Obit  Tuesday, July 13, 2021, Hiroko Lacar passed away in her home at the age of 81. Hiroko was preceded in death by her beloved husband of many years, Delfin John Lacar; her father, Tom Semba; her mother, Yuki Semba; her brother, Oliver Semba; and her aunt, Mary Saito. She is survived by her children, Diane Lacar (Bob) Dias, Dennis Lacar, Michael (Ana Laura) Lacar, and her grandchild, Nicholas John Dias; her sister-in-law, Jenny Semba and nephew, Jeff Semba.  Hiroko was born in Oregon on June 1, 1940. However, she spent most of her life in California, grew up in San Mateo with her brother Oliver, and graduated from San Mateo High School in 1958.  She started a family in San Francisco and moved to Vallejo in 1971 where she spent the last 50 years.  Hiroko worked in administration for Travis Air Force Base and most recently for Redwood Family Clinic.  She traveled the world, visiting several countries in Europe, as well as Arizona, Florida, New York, Texas, Hawaii and spent most of the summers relaxing in Lake Tahoe.  She was an avid animal lover and for many years she was a daily visitor to Wardlaw Park where she would walk miles with her dog, Lani.  A funeral service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, August 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Skyview Memorial Lawn, 200 Rollingwood Drive, Vallejo CA 94591.

 

Parents

Children
Mansaku Shinshido (1886-1963) Hiroshi “Skeets” Shinshido (1921-1978)
Tomo Matsura Shinshido (c.1895-1961)

Salem, Oregon -> Tule Lake -> Lincoln, Nebraska/Ontario, Oregon –> California

The family of Mansaku Shishido including his wife Tomo and son Hiroshi Skeets was removed to Tule Lake on 2 Jun 1942.  Hiroshi was released in Feb 143 while Mansaku and Toma were released in August of the same year.

Mansaku Shishido was born in Japan on 25 Dec 1886 and, in 1906, he entered the US territory of Hawaii with the intention of immigrate to the US.  It’s unclear whether he made it to the mainland before returning to Japan to marry Tomo Matsura on 6 Dec 1915.  They returned to the US via Seattle, WA on 31 Mar 1920.   The couple settled there and had their first child, a son named Hiroshi who was later to be known as Skeets.

By 1930, the family had moved to a rented farm in the Chemawa district of Marion County, OR.  The family flourished there for over a decade.  As many children of Japanese immigrants did, Hiroshi visited relatives in Japan during the summer of 1937 and returned to a position on the Salem HS wrestling team.  He also helped out on the family farm.  In 1942, Mansaku and most likely Tomo, joined the Japanese church in Brooks and Hiroshi registered for the draft.

In Jun in 1942, the family of 56-year-old Mansaku Shishido was interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until the summer of 1943.  22-year-old Hiroshi was released earlier that year and claimed to be headed to Lincoln, NE.  He may have been released in order to start school at the University of Nebraska located in Lincoln.  He had already completed 3 years of college when he was interred.

In the fall of 1945, Hiroshi returned to Vale, OR bringing his fiancé, Notiko Tomita, who was born in California but was a resident of Ann Arbor, MI.  They may have met in school.  They married on 20 Nov 1945.

Notiko may have had some influence on the family’s next move.  In 1950, Hiroshi, Notiko (Grace) along with their two children; 2-year-old Sandra and 3-year-old son were living and working in Santa Barbara, CA.  They owned a motel there.  Hiroshi was the head of the family but Mansuka at age 66 and Tomo, 57 were living in the household and no doubt helping with the children and business.

Tomo was the first to received her US citizenship in 1953 followed by Mansaku in 1954.  He passed away in Santa Clara, CA on 8 Feb 1963.  Tomo passed away on 12 Mar 1961 and Manasku passed on 8 Feb 1963.  A mystery remains with Hiroshi passing away in Jan 1978.  Social Security Administration received notice of this death from someone in Indiana but, his last residence was in Tulary, CA.,

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Shishido)
First, MI (Sex) Mansaku (56) Tomo (50) Skeets Hiroshi (21)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Opc Farm Opc
Total Schooling in Japan 10 Yrs 8 yrs None
Educational Degree 2 yr HS in Japan No Degree College 3 yrs
Year First Arrived in US 1906 1917 1921
Length of Time in Japan 20+ yrs 20+ yrs 6 mos – 1 yr
Visits to Japan 1 2 2
Indv Number 15757B 15757C 15757A
Year of Birth 1886 1893 1921
Place of Birth Japan Japan Washington
Religion Methodist Methodist Methodist
Skill Truck Farmer None Clerical
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Mansaku Tomo Hiroshi Sheets
DOB 25 Dec 1886 7 Jan 1893 9 Jan 1921
Marital Status M M S
Citizenship Japan Japan US
Sex M F M
Original Entry Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 25 Aug 1943 25 Aug 1943 1 Feb 1943
Age at Dep 67 64 22
Destination Ontario, OR Ontario, OR Lincoln, NE
  1. 1930 Federal Census. Mansaku Shishido 43 b 1887 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res, Rented farm in Chemawa, Marion, OR.  Has radio.  Age at first marriage 29 (1916).  Able to read and wright.  Language spoken Japanese.  F and M b in Japan.   Alein.  Able to speak English.  Farmer.  Employer.  Manasku Shishido 43 HOH, Tomo Shishido 36 wife, Hiroshi Shishido 9 son, (The rest are lodgers and farm laborers) Kinzo Sato 29, Kazuo Yato 26, (The following are Pilipino) Benito Maliwat 25, Valeriarno Hafalar 25.
  2. 1937 Seattle Arriving Passenger Lists. Hiroshi Shishido visited his grandmother in Japan returning on 5 Aug 1937 (most likely during school summer break)
  3. 1938 Salem HS Yearbook. Hiroshi Shishido on the wrestling team.
  4. 1940 Federal Census. Mausaku Shishido 53 b in 1887 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res rented farm in Chemawa, Marion, OR.  Gardener, Employer.  Education 8th grade.  Worked 52 weeks.  Manasku Shishido 53 HOH, Tomo Shishido 45 wife, Hiroshi Shishido 19 son, b in WA.
  5. 1941 WW2 Draft Card. Mansaku Shishido 55 b 25 Dec 1886 In Japan. Res RFTD 2, Salem, OR. (Brooks) Self-employed.  NOK Tomo Shishido.
  6. SJ 29 Apr 1942 p 10. Church Holds Reception for New Membersl.  The Japanese church had reception for new members including Mansaku Shishido.
  7. WW2 Draft Card. Hiroshi Skeets Shishido 21 b 9 Jan 1921 in WA.  Rt 2 box 349, Salem, OR.  Father M. Shishido, rt 2 Box 349, Salem, OR.  Works on father’s farm in Lake LaBish Dist, Salem, OR.
  8. 2 Jun 1942. Family Interred at Tule Lake.
  9. Feb 1943, Hiroshi released to Lincoln, NE. Aug 1943, Manasku and Tomo released to Ontario, OR.
  10. 1945 Oregon State Marriage Records. Hiroshi Shishido 24 b in 1921 in Seattle married Noriko Tomita in Vale, OR on 20 Nov 1945.  Noriko 21 b 8 Nov 1924 in CA.  Res Ann Arbor, MI.
  11. 1950 Federal Census. Hiro Shishido 29 b abt 1921 in WA.  Japanese.  Married HOH.  Res Santa Barbara, CA.  Farm on Adams Rd.  Owns business – Pacific Motel Court.  Hiro Shishido 29 HOH, Grace N Shishido 25 wife of HOH, Gerald B Shishido 3 son, Sandra J Shishido 2 dau, Mansuka Shishido 66 father, Tomo Shishido 57 mother.
  12. 1953 Federal Naturalization Record. Tomo Matsura Shishido 60 b 1 Jul 1893 in Japan.  Res Rt 1 Box 70-B, San Martin, CA.  Housewife.  Entered US at Honolulu, T.H. on 8 Feb 1906.  Husband is Mansaku Shishido b 25 Dec 1886.  Married 6 Dec 1915 in Japan. Entered US at Honolulu, T.H. with me.  1 child; Hiroshi M.  b Seattle, WA 9 Jan 1921. Lives with me.  Entered US for permanent residence in the US at Seattle, WA on 31 Mar 1920 on the Suwa Maru.  Lived in CA since Jun 1947.  Petition place California.
  13. 1953 Federal Naturalization Index. Tomo Shishido, Rt 1 Box 70B, San Martin, CA.  Age 60.  B 1 Jul 1893.  Date of order of admission 9 Dec 1953, District Court at SF.
  14. 1954 Federal Naturalization Index. Mansaku Shishido, Rt 1 Box 70B, San Martin, CA.    Age 67.  B 25 Dec 1886. Date of order of admission 26 Mar 1954, District Court at SF.
  15. 1961 California Death Index. Tomo Shishido SSN 521 36 9785 b 1 Jul 1893 in Japan.  D 12 Mar 1961 in Santa Clara, CA
  16. 1963 California Death Index. Manasku Shishido SSN 521-36-9786 b 25 Dec 1866 in Japan, d 8 Feb 1963 in Santa Clara, CA.
  17. 1978 Social Security Death Index. Hito Shishido SSN 310-30-0868.  B 9 Jan 1921 D Jan 1978.  Last Res 93247, Lindsay, Tulary, CA.  Notice issued in Indiana.

 

Parents

Children
Fred Sugai (1917-1966) Ray Sugai (1925-1997) brother of Fred
Mary Shitara Sugai (1918-) Rose Sugai Honda (1929-2005) sister of Fred
Maxine Sugai (1940-) child of Fred and Mary

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Chicago

In Jun in 1942, the wife, children, and two siblings of 24-year-old Fred Sugai was interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until the summer and fall of 1943.  No destination after release is shown in the record.  Fred was second generation Japanese American (Nisei) and was part of a much larger family that we interred separately.  The father of this extended family was Sukujiro Sugai.

Sukujiro Sugai was born 15 September 1888 in Japan and immigrated to the US between 1900 and 1902 at around age 14.  He came to the US through Seattle and may have come to  join other members of his clan, but that is undetermined.  He remained in Seattle until 1916 when he married Yoshi Sakuma who was 10 years his junior.  Just one year later, after the couple moved south to farm near Portland, the couple had their first child, Fred.  Three years later in 1920, Sukujiro and Yoshi had their second child, Charles.

By 1930, Sakujiro and Yoshi had 7 children:  Fred 12, Chully (Charles) 10, George 8, Mary 6, Ivan 5, Ray 3 and Rose 1.  They rented family farm was in rural Marion County, east of Salem.  About seven years later, mother Yoshi entered the Oregon State Hospital for unknown reasons, and remained there until her death in 1962. The loss of the Sugai family matriarch apparently caused the family to fracture.  1940 Federal Census information about the family is sparse and there are indications that some of the children either went out on their own, or took up residence with relatives.

In 1939, young Fred married Mary Shitara from Hood River.  The wedding took place in the Montevilla area of Portland where Fred was farming on his own.  WW2 draft registration records give some information about the Sugai men around 1940:  Sakujiro was apparently living in Tulare County, CA; Charles was living in the Chemawa district of Salem and attending Willamette University; 19-year-old George was living with an aunt in West Los Angeles; Ivan was living in Venice, CA; and Ray at age 15 was living with his father in Tulare.  There is no information in the 1940 census as to where sisters Mary and Rose were living.  However, two years later, Mary and Rose were interred with their father and two brothers.

Because of the family’s separation, members were interred at different locations and at different times.  George was never interred because he entered the US Army in June of 1942.  That same month, Fred, Mary, their one-year-old daughter Maxine and Fred’s brother Ray left from Salem to be interred at Tule Lake, CA.  Records indicate the unmarried, 22-year-old George acted as the head-of-household for the remainder of the family when they were first assembled at the Tulare County Fairgrounds in South-Central California.  Then, in August of 1942, they were moved to the Gila Bend, AZ internment camp.  With George was father Sukujiro, brother Ivan and sisters Mary and Rose.  In March of 1943, Ray was moved from Tule Lake to Gila Bend.

Mary and Maxine were released from Tule Lake on 24 Sep 1943 with no record of where they were bound for.  For some reason Fred was held and not released from Tule Lake until November again with no destination shown in the records.

Ivan and Ray were both released from Gila Bend when they were 19 years old for service in the US Army.  Ray left in June 1944 and served through November 1946.  Ivan left in December 1944 and served until August 1946.  Sukujiro and Rose were released in May 1945 saying that they would be relocating to Elgin, IL.  Mary was released in September 1945 saying she was going to Toledo, OH.

By 1950, most family members had migrated to the vicinity of Chicago.  Much had changed for the family and some were struggling.  Sukujio and Ray were living together in Chicago, IL.  Sukujio was running a boarding house and Ray was employed as an x-ray technician.  Ivan now a free-lance artist, Charles, a jewelry salesman, and Fred, an assembly worker, were all living in a boarding house in Chicago.  Rose had married Thomas G Honda in 1948 and was also  living in Chicago.  There seems to be no record of sister Mary for many years after her release from interment.

Fred divorced wife Mary about a year after being released from Tule Lake.  Mary claimed extreme cruelty which may have been necessary to obtain the divorce.  However, about a week after receiving the divorce order, Mary remarried on 31 Jan 1944

Mother Yashi Sugai died at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem on 25 Jun 1962.  Her obituary shows daughter Mary (Sugai) Sugimoto living in Torrence, CA.  Son Fred passed at the age of only 46 in Cook County, IL on 6 Aug 1966.  Sukujiro passed away in Los Angeles on 18 Apr 1971.  He may have been living with Mary or George who both lived in the Los Angeles area.  Charles died on 16 Jan 1982 in Chicago.  Ivan also died in Chicago but almost 14 years later on 2 Nov 1994.  George passed away on 30 Nov 1995 and last lived in Costa Mesa, CA.  He left his wife, a son and a daughter.  Ray died at age 72 in Chicago in the fall of 1997 leaving his wife, two daughters, one son and six grandchildren.  Rose, who had already lost her husband, died in Feb 2005 leaving one daughter, two sons and three grandchildren.

And finally, as the last of her generation of the Sugai family, Mary died just prior to her 100th birthday on 17 Jun 2022 near Palos Verdes, CA.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data
FRED SUGAI FAMILY
First, MI (Sex) Fred (24) Mary (23) Maxine (1) Rose (13) Ray (15)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Not Reported Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F US

M US

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Fisherman Farm Ops Farm Ops Fisherman
Total Schooling in Japan None None None None
Educational Degree HS 4 years in US College 2 yr in US HS 2 yr in US
Year First Arrived in US
Length of Time in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan
Visits to Japan None None None None
Indv Number 15749A 15749B 15749C No number missing 15749D
Year of Birth 1917 1918 1940 1926
Place of Birth Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist
Skill Truck Farmer Not Reported Farm Hand
GEORGE SUGAI FAMILY
First, MI (Sex) George (22) Sakujiro C (54) Ivan (18) Mary (19) Rose (13)
Relocation Proj Gila River Gila River Gila River Gila River Gila River
Assembly Ctr Tulare Tulare Tulare Tulare Tulare
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Unk Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan None 7 yrs None None None
Educational Degree None None None None None
Year First Arrived in US NA 1902 NA NA NA
Length of Time in Japan None 10 -15 yrs None None None
Visits to Japan Never in Japan 1 Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan
Indv Number 14241A 14241B 14241C 14241D 14241D
Year of Birth 1920 single 1888 widowed 1924 single 1923 single 1929 single
Place of Birth Oregon Japan Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Protestant Buddhist Protestant Protestant Protestant
Skill Sales Clerk Truck Farmer Not shown Collage 1 yr Not shown
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
FRED SUGAI FAMILY
First, MI (Sex) Fred Mary Maxine Rose Ray
DOB 30 Jun 1917 25 May 1918 28 Jul 1940 No Record 1 Oct 1925
Marital Status M M S (Fred sister) S (Fred Bro)
Citizenship US US US US
Sex M F F M
Original Entry Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 26 Nov 1943 24 Sep 1943 24 Sep 1943 19 Mar 1943
Age at Dep 26 25 3 18
Destination Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown
Family Number 15749A 15749B 15749C 15749D
GEORGE SUGAI FAMILY
First, MI (Sex) George Sakujiro C Ivan Mary Rose Ray
DOB 20 Oct 1920 15 Sep 1888 22 Sep 1924 17 Ju 1923 27 Jan 1929 1 Oct 1925
Marital Status S W S S S S
Citizenship C A C C C C
Sex M M M F F M
Original Entry 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 20 Mar 1943
Date of Entry 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942 21 Aug 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 26 Jul 1945 1 May 1945 8 Jul 1943 15 Sep 1945 1 May 1945 4 Aug 1944
Age at Dep 23 57 19 20 26 19
Destination Salt Lake City, UT Elgin, IL Toledo, OH Toledo, OH Elgin, IL Ft Douglas, UT
Family Number 14241 14241 14241 14241 14241 15739
  1. 1916 Sukujiro Sugai of Portland, OR married Yoshi Sakuma of Japan in Seattle, WA on 8 May 1916.
  2. 1917 Fred Sugai birth record. B on 30 Jun 1917 in Portland to S and Y Sugai.  Res Rt 1 Box 500B, Portland, OR.
  3. 1920 Federal Census. Sakongiso Sugai 32 b abt 1888 in Japan.  Res rented farm in Quinaby, Marion, OR. (Between Brooks and Labish).    Immigrated 1900.  Married  F and M b in Japan.  HOH.  Speaks English.  Gardener.  Sakongiso Sugai 32 HOH, Yoshi Suji 22 wife (b in Japan), and children b in Oregon Fred Sugai 3, Charles Sugai 5 mos.
  4. 1930 Federal Census. Fred Sugai 12 b abt 1918 in Oregon.    Single Son.  Quinaby, Marion, OR.  Attending School.  F and M b in Japan.  Sakujiro Sugai 42 father, Uashu Sugai 33 Mother, Chully Sugai 10 brother, George Sugai 8 brother, Mary Sugai 6 sister, Ivan Sugai 5 brother, Ray Sugai 3 brother, Rose Sugai 1 sister.  Father farming east of Salem.
  5. 1939 Oregon State Marriages. Fred Sugai, 21 b abt 1918 in Montevilla, OR.  F and M b in Japan.  Res Rt 2 Box 254, Salem, OR.  In Portland on 2 Apr 1969 married Mary Shitara 20 b abt 1919.  Res Hood River, OR.
  6. 1940 WW2 Draft Cards.
    1. Fred Sugai 23 b 30 Jun 1917 in Montivilla (Portland), OR. Res Rt 2 Box 254, Salem, OR.  Self Employed Farmer.
    2. Charles (Chully) Sugai, 21 b on 16 May 1919 in OR. Res Rt 2 Box 254, Salem, OR.  Student, Willamette University.  Reg 16 Oct 1940 in Chemawa, OR.
    3. Sakujio Sugai 54 b 15 Sep 1888 in Japan. Res Box 727 Guadalupe.  This was the address of Camp 7 at Waller Franklin Civil Control Station, Arroyo Grande, CA.  This was apparently an assembly center for the area used prior persons being relocated to Tulare County Fairgrounds then on to one of the permanent internment camps.
    4. George Sugai 21 b 15 Oct 1920 in Salem, OR. Res 1801 Contner Av, West Los Angeles, CA then scratched out and replaced by PO Box 727, Guadalupe, CA.  Reg 16 Feb 1942.  Unemployed student.  NOK Mary Sugai on Comosa Dr, Santa Monica, CA.
    5. Ivan Sugai 18 b 2 Sep 1924 in Salem, OR. Res 1337 6th Av, Venice, Los Angeles, CA.  Mailing Address, Gila River Relocation Center 64-7-A.  Reg date 16 Jan 1943.  NOK Sakajiro Sugai at same RC.
    6. Ray Sugai 18 b 1 Oct 1925 in Salem, OR. Gila River Relocation Center 64-7-A.  Reg date 22 Oct 1943.  NOK Sakajiro Sugai at same RC. (Scratched out Fred Sugai)  .
  7. 1940 Federal Census. George Sugai, 20 b abt 1920 in Oregon.  Living in Los Angeles with his 43-year-old aunt, Riku Wakatsura and her family.
  8. 1944 WW2 Army Enlistment Records. Ivan Sugai, single, Private, b 1924 in Oregon.  Res Lucas, OH.  4-yrs HS.  Enlistment date 18 Dec 1944 at Camp Atterbury, IN. as a medical specialist.
  9. 1944 Fred Sugai divorced Mary on 24 Jan 1944 in Cody, WY. Mary claimed extreme cruelty. They claim one child.
  10. 1944 Mary Sugai (Shitara) 25 b 25 May 1918 in Hood River, OR.   Married Masatsuga Miyakawa in Yellowstone, MT on 31 Jan 1944.  Both res Heart Mountain, WY.
  11. 1948 Rose Sugai married Thomas G Honda on 5 Jun 1948 in Cook County, IL.
  12. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. Sakujio Sugai 61 b 1889 in Japan. Separated HOH.  Res home in Chicago, IL.  Manages a boarding house.  (but no residents are listed with him so he must live at another residence). Not a citizen.  Completed 7th  Sajujio Sugai 61 Ray Sugai 24 son (employed as an x-ray technician)
    2. Ivan Sugai (25, single, free-lance artist) and CharlesT Sugai (29, single jewelery salesman) Fred Sugai (32 divorced assembly worker). Living in a boarding house in Chicago.
    3. Rose (Sugai) Honda, 20 b in OR.   Res Oak Forest Infirmary, TB Hospital, Chicago, IL.
    4. Mary Sugai. No record.
    5. George Sugai 28 b abt 1922 in OR. Married HOH.  Res 181 Winthrop Av, Apt 8, Chicago, IL.  Did not work nor was he looking for work.  Wife Eriki Y Sugai works in clothing manufacture but is currently unemployed.
  13. SJ 28 Jun 1962 p26. Yashi Sugai obit.  Died on Jun 25 at local hospital.  Late resident of Salem.  Surv husband Sajujiro Sugai, Chicago; sons Fred, Charles, George, Ivan and Ray all of Chicago; Daughters Mary Sugimoto, Torrence, CA, Rose Honda, Chicago.
  14. 1962 Oregon State Death Record. Yoshi Sugai, 65 d 25 Jun 1962, at the Oregon State Hospital, Rt 2 Box 180, where she was in residence for 25 years (since 1937).  Was a US citizen.  Husband Charles Sugai.  Cause of death heart attack caused by arterial sclerosis.
  15. 1971 California Death Record. Sakujiro C Sugai  SSN 360-22-7759.  B 15 Sep 1888 in Japan.  D 18 Apr 1971 in Los Angeles.
  16. 1975 Public Records Index. George Sugai lived in Costa Mesa, CA.
  17. Illinois Death Record.  Charles T Sugai (Chully) d 16 Jan 1982 in Cook County, IL.
  18. 1982 USDVA BIRLS Death File. Charles T Sugai b 16 May 1919 d 16 Jan 1982.  Service in the Army 8 Jan 1942 – 12 Jan 1946.
  19. 1994 Find-a-Grave. Ivan Sugai b 2 Sep 1924, d 2 Nov 1994 in Montrose Cemetery, Chicago, IL.  Next to his spouse Noduko who died in 2013.
  20. 1995 California Death Record. George J Sugai SSN 555-22-6360 issued in CA.  B 20 Oct 1920.  Last res Costa Mesa, CA.  d 30 Nov 1995.
  21. LA Times 4 Dec 1995 p 16. George J Sugai obit.  Died at age 75 leaving wife, one son, one daughter and two grandchildren.  Siblings Ray, Mary, and Rose.
  22. 1996 Illinois Death Records. Fred Sugai died on 6 Aug 1966 in Cook County IL.
  23. Chicago Tribune 10 Oct 1997 p191. Ray Sugai obit.  Died at age 72 at Loyola Univ Med Center in Maywood.  A 55-year resident of Chicago (1942).  WW2 vet, manager of QC for Colonial Carbon Co.  Left wife, 2 daughters, 1 son and 6 grandchildren.
  24. 1997 USDVA BIRLS Death File. Ray Sugai b 1 Oct 1925 d 7 Oct 1997.  Service in the Army 13 Jun 1944 – 16 Nov 1946.
  25. 2006 Find a Grave. Rose Honda died 6 Feb 2005 in Chicago.
  26. 2005 Chicago Tribune 9 Feb 2005 pg 3-9. Rose Honda obit.  Late husband. Left daughter Diane, sons Dean and Darren.  Grandmother of 3.  Left sister Mary Sugimoto.
  27. 2022 Find a Grave.  Mary Sugimoto b 17 Jun 1922 d 29 Jan 2022 near Palos Verdes, CA.

 

Parents

Children
Shigito Tamiyasu (1899-1987) Masao “Mutt” Tamiyasu (1922-1998)
Kisayo Sadakuni Tamiyasu (1904-1999) Pauline Tamiyasu Ogasawara (1925-2022)
Mickey Mikio Tamiyasu (1926-2020)
Patricia “Pat” Toshiko Tamiyasu Fukuhara (1928-)
Suzie Suzuko “Jinx” Tamiyasu (1931-)
Edward Shigeto Tamiyasu (1942-)

Brooks -> Tule Lake ->

In June in 1942, the family of 43-year-old Shigito Tamiyasu including his wife and five children of were interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until September of 1943.  No destination after release is shown in the record.  Rather than combining the family story, here are their separate life events.  (For the children of Shigito, events after interment.)

Shigito Tamiyasu b 15 Feb 1899 in Japan.

  1. 1917-1918 lived in Astoria, worked in salmon packing house, relative Hirao Tamiyasu of Independence, OR.
  2. 1921 Single, arrived in Seattle for perm res in US having previously lived in Portland.
  3. 1930 Age 31, Married at age 23 (1922) farms in Brooks. 5 children (7, 5, 3, 2, 1mo) and lodger (Ben Flores)
  4. 1940 Age 41 Owned a farm on Van Cleave Rd. in Brooks, OR. 5 children (17, 15, 13, 12, 10)
  5. 1942 Res Rt1 Box 251, Vancurieve Rd, Brooks, OR. Self Employed farmer.
  6. 2 Jun 1942 family interred at Tule Lake, CA.
  7. 1950 Age 51 Res owns hotel at 209 NE 6th, Portland.   New names for kids Mickey M 22 (shipping clerk), Susie S 20 (not working), Toshie P 22, Lynn R 5, Edward S 7 plus 42 lodgers.
  8. SJ 24 Apr 1955 pg 16. Article on a reception in the Japanese Consulate.  Mr and Mrs Shigeto Tamiyasu attended.
  9. 1987 California Death Record. Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu.  SSN 540 38 8991.  B 15 Feb 1899 in Japan.  D 13 Feb 1987 in Santa Clara, CA.  Mother’s maiden name Mayemoto.

Kisayo Sadakuni  b 15 Oct 1904 in Japan

  1. 1 Sep 1955 Kisayo Tamiyasu naturalization petition. Res 2217 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR.    Age 50.  B 15 Oct 1904 in Japan.  4’9” tall.  Husband Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu.  Married on 10 Apr 1921 in Japan.  Tom was born on 15 Feb 1899, resides with her, and was naturalized on 1 Jul 1954 in Portland, OR.  Arrived in Seattle, WA on 20 Aug 1921 on the SS Alabama Maru.  Children:
    1. Mutt Masao (M), Milwaukie, OR, b 22 Oct 1922 in Portland.
    2. Pauline (F), Independence, OR. b 20 Mar 1925 in Twin Falls, ID.
    3. Mickey Mikio (M) Independence, OR b 17 Jun 1926 in Portland, OR
    4. Pat Toshiko (M) Gresham, OR. b 26 Dec 1928 in Portland, OR
    5. Suzie Suzuko (F) Salem, OR. b 7 Mar 1931 in Gresham, OR.
    6. Edward Shigeo (M) Newell, CA. b 22 Dec 1942 in Portland, OR
  2. Kisayo Tamiyasu, 94 Obit. b abt 1905 in Japan. D abt 1999 in Stanford, CA.  Published 11 Aug 1999

Mutt Masao Tamiyasu (M) b 22 Oct 1922 in Portland, OR

  1. 1955 Res Milwaukie, OR
  2. 1967 married Billie M Derr in Portland, OR.
  3. 19 Oct 1998 died in Portland at age 75. Graduated from Salem HS and served in the US Army during WW2.  Owned restaurant, kitchen supervisor, retired in 1984.  Survivors include wife, sons Larry and Tommy and two step daughters.  Mother Kisayo of Palo Alto, CA.  Brothers Mikio of Dayton, OH, Edward of Redwood City, CA.  Sisters Pauline Osasawara of Palo Alto, Toshiko Fukuhara of Seattle, Lynn K Tamiyasu-Lee of Mountain View, CA.  Five grandchildren.

Pauline Tamiyasu (F)  b 20 Mar 1925 in Twin Falls, ID.

  1. 1947 Pauline H Tamiyasu 22 married Tsutomu S Ogasawara 23 on 22 Mar 1947 in Portland, OR.
  2. 1950 Pauline H (Tamiyasu) Ogasawars 25 b abt 1925 in Oregon. Wife of HOH.  Res Twin Falls, ID.  Keeping House.  Stome T Ogasawara HOH (no employment shown), Pauline H 25 Wife, Vickie 1 Dau, Noaye 56 Mother of HOH, Fumi 23 Sister of HOH.
  3. 1955 Res Independence, OR.
  4. 1968 Res Palo Alto, CA CD. Stome T (Pauline) Ogasawara.    H873, Oregon Ave.
  5. 2022 Obit date 6 Jul 2022.  Pauline Ogasawara b 20 Mar 1925 in Independence, OR.  Married 1947.  D abt 2022 in Palo Alto, CA.

Mickey Mikio Tamiyasu (M) b 17 Jun 1926 in Portland, OR

  1. 1955 lived in Independence
  2. 1949 Oregon Marriage Record. Mickey M Tamiyasu (22) student from Portland married Helen Yukiko Kinoshita (23) stenographer in Portland.  Both b in US of parents born in Japan.
  3. 1968 Mickey and Helen res Orange, CA
  4. 1972 Helen died.
  5. 1976 Second marriage to Louis Anne Cox
  6. 1992 Lived in Marco Island, FL
  7. 12 Feb 2020 d in Montgomery, OH

Pat Toshiko Tamiyasu (M) b 26 Dec 1928 in Portland, OR

  1. 22 Aug 1953 Oregon Marriage Record. On this date, Toshiko Patricia Tamiyasu, 24 of 2217 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR. married Francis Masateru Fukuhara, 28 of 305 19th Av, Seattle, WA. In Portland, OR.  Father of Toshiko is Shigeto Tom Tamiyasu and Mother is Kisayo Sadakuni
  2. 1955 Res in Gresham, OR
  3. 1959 Seattle, WA CD. Patricia T Fukuhara 1429 25th Ave, Seattle, WA.  Spouse Francis M Fukuhara – biologist, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.
  4. 2016 Francis died at age 91 leaving four children.
  5. No record of Patricia Toshiko (Tamiyasu) Fukuhara’s death

Read the transcript for the interview conducted by Suzuko/Susie “Jinx” Tamiyasu Fujii in 2014 at the Oregon Nikkei Endowment — digitized and made accessible via the Densho project.   Watch the video here.

Suzie Suzuko Tamiyasu (F) b 7 Mar 1931 in Gresham, OR.

  1. 1950 Susie S Tamuyasu 20 b abt 1930 in OR. Married James M Fuji on 27 Nov 1950 in Portland, OR
  2. 1955 Res Salem, OR
  3. 1998 – 2020 Res Portland Area.
  4. No record of Suzie Suzuko (Tamiyasu) Fuji’s death.

Edward Shigeto Tamiyasu (M) b 22 Dec 1942 in Portland, OR

  1. 1955 Res in Newell, CA
  2. 1972 Ed S Tamiyasu, student; Lynn K Tamiyasu, student; Tom S (Kay) retd all living at 881 Oregon Ave, Palo Alto, CA.
  3. No record of Edward Shigeto Tamiyasu’s death.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Tamiyasu)
First, MI Shigeto 43

(Tommy S)

 Kisayo 38 Masso 19 Oregon State Mikio 15 (Mackey M) Harue 17 (Pauline H) Toshiko 14 Suzuko 12 (Suzie S)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan 6 yrs 8 yrs None None None None None
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree
Year First Arrived in US 1913 1921
Length of Time in Japan 10-15 yrs 15-20 yrs
Visits to Japan 2 1 None None None None None
Indv Number 15739A 15739B 15739C 15739D 15739E 15739G 15739F
Year of Birth 1899 1904 1922 1926 1925 1927 1930
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist
Skill Truck Farmer Farm Hand Farm Hand Farm Hand Farm Hand Farm Hand Farm Hand
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents: (Tamiyasu)
First, MI (Sex) Shigeto Kisayo Masso (Mutt) Mikio (Mickey) Haruye (Pauline) Toshiko Suzuko (Susie)
DOB 15 Feb 1899 15 Oct 1904 22 Oct 1922 17 Jun 1926 25 Mar 1925 25 Dec 1927 8 Mar 1930
Marital Status M M S S S S S
Citizenship J J US US US US US
Sex M M M M F F F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943 25 Sep 1943
Age at Dep 44 39 21 17 18 15 13
Destination No Stated No Stated No Stated No Stated No Stated No Stated No Stated
Family No 15739 15739 15739 15739 15739 15739 15739
  1. Another son was born at Tule Lake: Shigeto (Tommy) 22 Dec 1942 S US M the rest is the same as other family members.
  2. 12 Sep 1918. WW1 Draft Record.  Shiguto Tamiyasu 20 b 5 Feb 1898 in Japan.  Alien  res dates 1917-1918.  Works in an Astoria, OR salmon processing plant.  Relative Hirao Tamiyasu of Independence, OR.
  3. 1921 Seattle Arriving Passenger Lists. Shigeto Tamiyasu 22, b abt 1899.  Single.  Prev US residence, Portland, OR.  Departed Yokohama and arrieved in Seattle in Apr 1921 on the Fushimi Maru.  Final destination, Portland, OR.  Person in Portland: R. Hasegawa.
  4. 1921 Seattle Arriving Passenger Lists. Kisayo Tamiyasu 16yrs, 9mos.  Married.  Arrived Seattle 20 Aug 1921 on Alabama Maru.  Final dest Portland.  First time in US.
  5. 1930 Federal Census. Shigeto Tamiyasu 31 b abt 1899 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Rents farmland in Brooks, OR.  No radio.  Age at first marriage 23.  F and M b in Japan. Speaks Japanese but able to speak English.  Self employed farmer.  Shigeto Tamiyasu 31 HOH, Kisayo 25 wife, Masao 7 son, Harve 5 dau, Makio 3 son, Toshiko 2 dau, Suzuko 1 mo dau, Ben Flores 26 lodger.
  6. 1940 Federal Census. Shigeto Tamiasu 41 b abt 1899 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res, Owns farmland in Brooks, OR. on Van Cleave Rd.  Inferred res in 1935, Brooks.  Alien.  6th Grade education.     Shigeto 41 HOH, Kisayo 36 wife, Masao 17 son, Howye 15 dau, Michie 13 son, Toshiko 12 dau, Suzuko 10 dau.
  7. 14 Feb 1942. Shigeto Tamiyasu draft card.  Age 42 b 15 Feb 1899 in Japan.  Res Rt 1 Box 251 (Vancurieve Rd) Brooks, OR.  No phone.  Employer self.  NOK Kisayo Tamiyasu.
  8. 1944 Draft Card. Michey Kikio Tamiyasu 18 b 17 Jun 1926 in Independence, OR.  HOH  Res Payette ID.  Reg 20 Jun 1944.  Employer Johnnie Ito.  NOK Masao Tamiyasu
  9. 1947 Pauline H Tamiyasu 22 married Tsutomu S Ogasawara 23 on 22 Mar 1947 in Portland, OR.
  10. 1949 Oregon Marriage Record. Mickey M Tamiyasu (22) student from Portland married Helen Yukiko Kinoshita (23) stenographer in Portland.  Both b in US of parents born in Japan.
  11. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. Shigeto T Tamiyasu 51 b abt 1899 in Salem. Married HOH.  Res owns hotel at 209 NW 6th, Portland, OR.  Hotel Manager.    Shigeto T Tamiyasu 51 HOH, Kisayo 45 wife, Mickey M 22 son (married shipping clerk but no Helen), Susie S 20 (not working), Toshie P 22, Lynn R 5, Edward S 7.   Plus 42 hotel lodgers.
    2. Pauline H (Tamiyasu) Ogasawars 25 b abt 1925 in Oregon. Wife of HOH.  Res Twin Falls, ID.  Keeping House.  Stome T Sgasawara HOH (no employment shown), Pauline H 25 Wife, Vickie 1 Dau, Noaye 56 Mother of HOH, Fumi 23 Sister of HOH.
  12. 1950 Susie S Tamuyasu 20 b abt 1930 in OR. Married James M Fuji on 27 Nov 1950 in Portland, OR
  13. 22 Aug 1953 Oregon Marriage Record. On this date, Toshiko Patricia Tamiyasu, 24 of 2217 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR. married Francis Masateru Fukuhara, 28 of 305 19th Av, Seattle, WA. In Portland, OR.  Father of Toshiko is Shigeto Tom Tamiyasu and Mother is Kisayo Sadakuni.
  14. SJ 24 Apr 1955 pg 16. Article on a reception in the Japanese Consulate.  Mr and Mrs Shigeto Tamiyasu attended.
  15. 1 Sep 1955 Kisayo Tamiyasu naturalization petition. Res 2217 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR.  Housewife.  Age 50.  B 15 Oct 1904 in Japan.  4’9” tall.  Husband Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu.  Married on 10 Apr 1921 in Japan.  Tom was born on 15 Feb 1899, resides with me, and was naturalized on 1 Jul 1954 in Portland, OR.  Arrived in Seattle, WA on 20 Aug 1921 on the SS Alabama Maru.  Children:
    1. Mutt Masao (M), Milwaukie, OR, b 22 Oct 1922 in Portland.
    2. Pauline (F), Independence, OR. b 20 Mar 1925 in Twin Falls, ID.
    3. Mickey Mikio (M) Independence, OR b 17 Jun 1926 in Portland, OR
    4. Pat Toshiko (M) Gresham, OR. b 26 Dec 1928 in Portland, OR
    5. Suzie Suzuko (F) Salem, OR. b 7 Mar 1931 in Gresham, OR.
    6. Edward Shigeo (M) Newell, CA. b 22 Dec 1942 in Portland, OR
    7. Lynn Keiko (F) Minidoka, ID. B 25 Jun 1944 in Portland, OR.
  16. 30 Jun 1957 Mrs Kisayo Tamiyasu returned from a visit on Japan AL into San Francisco.
  17. 1959 Seattle, WA CD. Patricia T Fukuhara 1429 25th Ave, Seattle, WA.  Spouse Francis M Fukuhara – biologist, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries.
  18. 1968 Palo Alto, CA CD. Stome T (Pauline) Ogasawara.  Gardener.  H873, Oregon Ave.
  19. 1968 CA Voter Reg. Mickey M Tamiyasu and Helen Y Tamiyasu res Don Dr, Orange, CA.
  20. 12965 – 1968 Palo Alto, CA CD Edward Tamiyasu, gardener. Lynn Tamiyasu (wife)
  21. 1972 Palo Alto, CA CD. Ed S Tamiyasu, student; Lynn K Tamiyasu, student; Tom S (Kay) retd all living at 881 Oregon Ave, Palo Alto, CA.
  22. Nov 1972 SSA Death Record. Helen Yukiko Tamiyasu b 5 Mar 1926 in Portland, OR.  D Nov 1972.  Father Joe M Kinoshita.  Mother Yachiyo Yoshida.
  23. Journal Herald, Dayton, OH 28 Jul 1976 p 33. Marriage License Mickey Mikio Tamiyosu 50 b abt 1926.  Res 6261 Noranda Dr, Dayton, OH.  Married Louis Anne Cox.
  24. 1987 California Death Record. Tom Shigeto Tamiyasu.  SSN 540 38 8991.  B 15 Feb 1899 in Japan.  D 13 Feb 1987 in Santa Clara, CA.  Mother’s maiden name Mayemoto.
  25. 1992 Public Record. Mikio M Tamiyasu b 17 Jun 926 lived at 615 Seaview Ct #Q43, Marco Island, FL.
  26. The Oregonian 23 Oct 1998 p14. Masao M Tamiyasu obit.  A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 1998, in Oregon Buddhist Temple for Masao M. Tamiyasu, who died Oct. 19 at age 75.  Mr. Tamiyasu was born Oct. 22, 1922, in Brooks. He graduated from Salem High School and attended Oregon State University. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He moved to Portland in 1945. He owned the New Tokyo restaurant and later was a kitchen supervisor for Swan Island Fred Meyers Eves Restaurant before retiring in 1984. He was a member of the temple. In 1967, he married Billie M. Derr.  Survivors include his wife; sons, Larry of Lake Oswego and Tommy of Portland; daughter, JoAnne of Portland; stepdaughters, Jan Leeding of Clackamas and Judy Latourette of Sherwood; mother, Kisayo of Palo Alto, Calif.; brothers, Mikio of Dayton, Ohio, and Edward of Redwood City, Calif.; sisters, Pauline Ogasawara of Palo Alto, Toshiko Fukuhara of Seattle and Lynn K. Tamiyasu-Lee of Mountain View, Calif.; and five grandchildren.  Disposition is by cremation. Arrangements are by Caldwells Colonial Chapel.
    1999 Obituary Daily Times Index.  Kisayo Tamiyasu, 94 b abt 1905 in Japan.  D abt 1999 in Stanford, CA.  Published 11 Aug 1999
  27. 2016 US Obit Collection. Francis Fukuhara 91 b 1925 in Seattle, WA.  Married in Portland, OR.  Last res Puyallup, WA.  D 2016 in Seattle, WA.  Spouse Patricia Toshiko Tamiyasu.  Children Mardi Shimizu, Teresa Mori, Catherine Takisaki.  David Fukuhara.
  28. 2017-2020 Public Record. Susie S Fujii II b Mar 1930 res Lake Oswego, OR.  1991-2012 res Gresham, OR.  2010 res Portland, OR.  1998-2017 res Troutdale, OR.
  29. 12 Feb 2020 Find-a-Grave. Mikio Tamiyasu b 17 Jun 1926 d 12 Feb 2020 in Montgomery, OH.  Spouse Lois Anne Tamiyasu.
  30. 2022 Pauline Ogasawara b 20 Mar 1925 in Independence, OR.  Married 1947.  D abt 2022 in Palo Alto, CA. Obit date 6 Jul 2022.

Other Resources:

Read the transcript for the interview conducted by Suzuko/Susie “Jinx” Tamiyasu Fujii in 2014 at the Oregon Nikkei Endowment — digitized and made accessible via the Densho project.   Watch the video here.

Resources:

Read an article about the Tanaka family and their Salem Restaurant the Tokio Sukiyaki House here.

Primary Documents:

Henry Tanaka featured in Pacific Citizen April 12 1952 (See page 3)

In June in 1942, the family of 47-year-old Masaru Tanizaki including his wife and three of their four children were interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until November of 1945.  Their oldest son Tashinki (Frank) is shown to be in the Army while the rest of the family was interred.  Most of the family was destined for Lodi, CA after their release.

Masaru was born 17 Oct 1895 in Japan, arrived in US as early as 1907 and obtained work at the Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Co in Wyeth, OR.  He was supporting his grandmother, mother and sister when he registered for the WW1 Draft.  That doesn’t necessarily mean they were in the US but he could be sending money home to Japan.  Masaru returned to Japan to marry his wife Satoyo on 4 Dec 1918.  Satoyo was admitted to the US for permanent residency in May 1919.

By 1918, Masaru was working in Portland for the Pen Lumber Co.  Satoya had their first child, Tashinki, in just after her arrival from Japan in Dec 1919.  By 1930, Masaru has left the lumber business and was helping maintain a hotel where the family lived.  Their son Masao had been born in Apr 1921 and their third son Kenneth would be born in May 1931.  As was somewhat typical of the immigrant Japanese parents, the Tanizaki’s took their children back to visit relatives in Japan in 1936.  Most likely on their return, Masaru decided to leave the city and take up farming.

By 1940, the family was living on rented farmland in the Japanese immigrant community near Brooks, OR.  There was now a fourth son, Albert who was born in 1936.  Tashinki, now 21 and using the name Frank, was helping on the farm while Masao, 20, had moved to West Port, OR to work in a steam laundry.  Masao returned to the family prior to their internment while Taskinki enlisted in the army in Jan 1942.  Masao registered for the draft but was not called.

Masaru, Satoyo, Kenneth (14) and Albert (6) were released from Tule Lake and relocated Lodi, CA.  Masao (24) was scheduled to go to Des Moines, CA, a suburb near LaHabra in southern California.  By 1950, the family, with sons Kenneth and Albert, was farming in Santa Clara, CA.  Masao had married and was living with his in-laws in Parlier, CA., a small town southeast of Fresno.  Frank, still single, was back in the laundry/dry cleaning business in Chicago.  Kenneth spent one enlistment period in the USAF in the 50s.

Masaru and Satoyo gained their US citizenship in 1953 and 1954 respectively.  They lived in Santa Clara, CA for most of the rest of their lives.  Masaru passed away there on 15 Sep 1979.   Satoyo lived many years longer and died on 13 Jul 1990.

Kenneth married Momiko Tsuruda in Santa Clara, CA on 30 Sep 1955 and later became a salesman for Litton Industries.  He moved to Hawaii with the family and worked for a medical instrument manufacturing company.  In retirement, he was a founder of the American Renaissance Academy, a private college prep school in Waipahu.  He passed away on 12 Apr 2016 in Seattle at age 84.

Frank apparently never married but joined his brother Kenneth in Hawaii and passed away there on 20 Aug 2011 at age 91.  His obit says he was a U.S. Postal Service retiree whose WW2 service earned him a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Masao, who spent much of the rest of his life in Reedley, CA, died there on 14 Aug 1981.

Albert, who never married, died in a car accident in 1961 at age 25 on Hwy 50 near the Tahoe Valley YMCA Camp.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Tanizaki)
First, MI (Sex) Masaru 47 Satoyo 44 Frank 21 (Tashinki) Masao 20 In West Port Kenneth 11 Albert 6
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake In Army Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Labor Farm Ops Mgr Farm Ops Mgr Farm Ops Mgr Farm Ops Mgr
Total Schooling in Japan 1-8 yrs 10 yrs 7 yrs None None
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree HS 3 yrs Elementary 5 yrs Not attending school
Year First Arrived in US 1917 1919
Length of Time in Japan 10-15 20+
Visits to Japan 3 3 1 1 Never
Indv Number 15760A 15760B 15760C 15760D 15760E
Year of Birth 1895 1898 1921 1931 1936
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist
Skill Truck Farmer Seamstress Laundering
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Masaru Satoyo Frank Masao Kenneth Albert
DOB 17 Oct 1895 22 Feb 1898 In Army 22 Apr 1921 29 May 1931 15 Mar 1936
Marital Status M M S S S
Citizenship J J US US US
Sex M F M M M
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 24 Nov 1945 24 Nov 1945 31 Nov 1945 24 Nov 1945 24 Nov 1945
Age at Dep 55 52 24 14 9
Destination Lodi, CA Lodi, CA De Moines, CA Lodi, CA Lodi, CA
Family Number 15760 15760 17650 15760 15760
  1. 15 Jun 1917. WW1 Draft Record.  Masaru Tanizaki.  Race Mongolian.  Single b 17 Oct 1895 in Japan.  Res 1917-1918 Wyeth, Hood River County, OR.  (Railway station/stop 1901-1936) Employer OWRR and N (Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Co.).  Supports Mother, Grandmother and Sister.  Single.
  2. 1918 Portland CD. Marsaru Tanizaki, Satoyo Tanizaki.  Laborer, Pen Lumber Co.
  3. 1920 Federal Census. Masaru Tanizaki 25 b abt 1895 in Japan.  Res 11th St, Portland, OR.  Immigration year 1919.  Married Partner of HOH.  F and M b in Japan.  Able to speak English.  Saw Mill Chain Man.  Alien.  Nichizo Horagami 33 HOH, Tashiharu Ida 30 Partner, Yato Tambara 29 Partner, Masaru Tanizaki 25 Partner, Satoya Tanizaki 22 Partner, Tashinki Tanizaki 6 mos Son.
  4. 1930 Federal Census. Masaru Tanizaki 34 b abt 1896 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res 147 1/2 Ocean St, Portland, OR.  No Radio.  Not on farm.  Age at first marriage 23.  F and M b in Japan.  Speaks Japanese.  Alein.  Can speak English.  Helper in a Hotel.  Masaru Tanizaki 34 HOH, Satoyo Tanizaki 32 wife/maid, Tashinki Tanizaki 11 Son, Masao Tanizaki 9 son, George Tanizaki 7 son.  All children b in OR.  Several lodgers.
  5. Mar 1936. Seattle, WA arriving passenger lists.  Masao Tanizaki 14 b abt 1922 in Portland, OR.  Traveled with his mother Satayo.  Departed Kobe, Japan.  Arrived Seattle, WA Mar 1936 aboard the Hiye Maru.  Person in old country, husband Masaru Tanizaki.  Final destination, Portland, OR.  Person in new country Mr Mayehara Giichi, friend, 619 SW 2nd Av, Portland, OR.
  6. Jul 1936.  Vancouver, BC arriving passenger lists.  Kennith Susumo Tanizaki 5 b abt 1931 in OR.  Traveled with his father Masaru to Japan and returned to the US through the port of Vancouver, BC. On the Empress Japan.
  7. 1940 Federal Census. Masaru Tanizaki 45 b abt 1895 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res Rents Farm on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.  Inferred res in 1935 Japan.  Alien.  Schooling to 5th grade.  Weeks worked 35.  Masaru Tanizaki 45 HOH.  Satoyo 42 wife, Toshi (Frank?) 20 son, Masao (George?) 18 son, Kenneth 9 son, Albert 3 son.
  8. Jan 1942. Frank T Tanizaki enlistment record.  Single.  Rank Private, US Army.  B 1919 in Oregon.  Res Columbia County, OR.  Edu grammar school.  Civ Occ Farmhand.  Enlisted 6 Jan 1942 in Portland, OR.
  9. Feb 1942. Masao Tanizaki draft reg record.  Age 20, oriental, HOH, b 22 Apr 1921in Portland, OR.  Res Westport, OR.  Reg date 16 Feb 1942.  Empl Westport Steam Laundry.  NOK Masaru Tanizaki.
  10. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. Masaru Tanizake 55 b abt 1895 in Japan. Married HOH.  Res Rancho Hotel on E Valley, Burnett, Santa Clara, CA.    Alien.  Masaru Tanizaki 55 HOH, Satoyo 52 wife, Kenneth 19 son, Albert 13 son.
    2. Masao Tanizaki 29 b abt 1921 in OR. Married Son-in-Law to HOH.  Res on Farm South on Anchor from Parlier, Fresno, CA.  Unable to work.  Frank Tsuneta 64 HOH, Jetsuno Tsuneta 56 Wife, Masao Tanizaki 29 Son-in-Law, Kimize Tanizaki 26 Daughter, Catherine Tanazaki 1 Granddaughter.
    3. Frank Tanizaki 30 b abt 1920 in Oregon. Never Married.  Lodger in Chicago, IL.  Presser at a Dry Cleaning establishment.  M and F b in Japan.  Completed 9th  Motoyoshi Hirabayash 60 HOH, Take Hirabayash 59 wife, Kazuo Harabayash 25 son, Frank J Tanizaki 30 lodger (plus several others)
  11. 9 Dec 1953 Naturalization Petition. Satoyo Tanizaki.  55 b 22 Feb 1898 in Hiroshima Ken, Japan.  Res Rt 2 Box 324, Gilroy, CA.  Married Masaru Tanizaki on 4 Dec 1918 in Japan.  He was born in Japan on 17 Oct 1895 and entered US on 3 Jan 1907.  Satoyo entered us for permanent residence on 16 May 1919.  Visited Japan Nov 1925 – 9 Mar 1927 and Feb 1935 – 4 Mar 1936.  Witnessed by Hiro Shishido, farmer, Rt 1 Box 70a, San Martin, CA and George Morioka, farmer, Rt 1 Box 70b, San Martin, CA.  Children:
    1. Toshiyuki male b 8 Dec 1919 in Portland, OR res Chicago, IL
    2. Masao male b 22 Apr 1921 in Portland, OR res Reedley, CA
    3. Kenneth Susumu male 29 May 1931 in Marshfield, OR res USAF
    4. Albert Yogi male b 15 Jun 1936 in Portland, OR, res with me.
  12. 18 Jan 1954 Naturalization Petition. Masaru Tanizaki aka Mike Tanizaki.  Res Rt 2 Box 324 Gilroy, CA.  Occ Farming.  Age 57, b 17 Oct 1895 in Hiroshima Ken Japan.  5’ 6.5” 140 lbs.  Wife Satoyo Tanizaki.  Married on 4 Dec 1918 in Japan.  Satoyo b 22 Feb 1898.  She arrived in Seattle, WA on 16 May 1919 for permanent res in the US with Masaru.  Living Children:  Toahiyuki son b in Portland, OR 8 Dec 1919 res Chicago, IL.; Masao son b in Portland, OR, 22 Apr 1921 res Reedley, CA.;  Kenneth son b in Marshland, OR 29 May 1931 res USAF;  Albert son b in Portland, OR 15 Jun 1936 res with Masaru.  Masaru arrived for permanent res in Seattle on the Canada Maru, 23 Apr 1919.  Visited Japan from Feb 1935 to Jul 1936.  Two witnesses:  George Morioka and Hiro Shishido.  Hiro may be the son in the Brooks, OR Shishido family.
  13. 30 Sep 1955 California Marriage Record. Kenneth S Tanizaki 24 b abt 1931 married Tomiko Tsuruda 20 in Santa Clara, CA.
  14. 1961 Find-a-Grave. Talbert Yoji Tanizaki b 1936 d 1961.  Grave Gavilan Hills Memorial Park, Gilroy, CA.  No obit.
  15. The Sacramento Bee 25 Apr 1961 p 25. Lake Tahoe.  Albert Tanizaki, 25 of San Jose was killed yesterday when his sports car and a station wagon collided on US Hwy 50 near Tahoe Valley Y.
  16. 1973 San Jose, CA CD. Kenneth S (Linda) Tanizaki slsmn Litton Industries.  Res 1002 Redmond Av.
  17. Honolulu Star-Advertiser 12 Apr 2016 p B4. Kenneth Susumo Tanizaki obit.  B in Marshland, OR.  D in Seattle at age 84.  Res Waipahu, HI.  USAF Vet, ret from Brasseler (dental and surgical products company), founder American Renaissance Academy in Waipahu (college prep private school).  Survivors Steve Tanizaki, Marlene Beckman, Kelly Tanizaki.
  18. 1979 CA Death Index. Masaru Tanizaki b 17 Oct 1895 in Japan.  D 15 Sep 1979 in Santa Clara, CA.
  19. 1981 CA Death Index. Masao Tanizakib 22 Apr 1921 in Oregon.  D 14 Aug 1981 in Fresno, CA.
  20. 1990 CA Death Index. Satoyo Tanizaki b 22 Feb 1898 in Japan.  D  13 Jul 1990 in Santa Clara, CA.
  21. 2016 Find a Grave. Kenneth S Tanizaki b 29 May 1931 d 12 Apr 2016.  Buried beside his wife Linda T (29 Nov 1934 – 14 Jul 1973) at Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, CA.
  22. Fresno Bee 4 Jul 2021 p21. Kimiye Tanizaki obit.  B 21 Jun 1924.  Interred with family at Poston, AZ (largest camp in the system of camps) and after one year moved to Brigham City, UT.  Married Masao on 6 Jun 1947.  Married for 33 years.  He passed in 1981.

Adults

Children
Hideo James Tokimoto (1918-1991)
Tadao Tokimoto (1920-1980)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Chicago/Cinncinati

In June in 1942, 23-year-old Hideo Tolimoto and his 21-year-old brother Todao were interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until their release in the summer of 1943.

Hideo James Tokimoto was born on 11 Feb 1919 in King County WA to Tomisabuto Tokimoto and Okaya Tahara. On 16 Dec 1920, brother Tadao was born in Kent, WA. The boys had an older sister, Masato, born in Christopher, WA on 8 Dec 1916.

Father Tomisabuto died as a result of a construction accident in 1927 and it appears that mother Okaya (Kayo) returned to Japan soon after since there is no 1930 Federal Census information about the family. Sister Masato apparently accompanied her mother and married Tsuroko Nakamura in Hiroshima, Japan in 1935. She had two children there. Hideo and Todao may have stayed in the US possibly with relatives.

It is unclear whether Tadao accompanied his mother to Japan, but he at least visited her and returned to the US in April of 1937 to live with his uncle Hajime Nakai in Kent, WA. Hideo somehow ended up in Salem. After graduating from Salem HS in 1939, he visited his family in Japan and returned to the US in March, 1940. He and Tadao soon joined each other working as farm laborers in Brooks, OR. From here, they were incarcerated.

Both brothers were released from Tule Lake before the war’s end. Although there were several reasons internees could be released early to a location outside the west coast exclusion zone, it is unclear why the brothers were released early. Hideo was released to Chicago in June, 1943 and Tadao was released to Cincinnati in September, 1943.

The brothers took up their lives in those respective cities and remained for many years. Tadao married Lorraine Topeyama in August of 1944 and Hideo married wife Mitssuko Hosimoto. Sister Masato remained in Japan until 1957 when she and her family returned to the US to live near brother Hideo.

By 1964, Tadao and Lorraine had moved to Sunnyvale, CA. On 5 Dec 1980, Tadao passed away in Santa Clara, CA. Lorraine passed away on 11 Oct 2016 and is buried next to Tadao.

Hideo stayed in Chicago for the rest of his life and passed away there on 4 Nov 1991.

Research:

1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Tokimoto)
First, MI (Age at Interment) Hideo 23 Aviation Eng Todao 21 (Brothers)
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of
Parents (F, M) F Japan M Japan F Japan M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Mgr Farm Ops Mgr
Total Schooling in Japan 7 yrs 8 yrs
Educational Degree 4 yr HS in US 4 yr HS in US
Year First Arrived in US
Length of Time in Japan 10-15 15-20
Visits to Japan 8 1
Indv Number 15736A 15736B
Year of Birth 1919 1920
Place of Birth Washington Washington
Religion Methodist Methodist
Skill Farm Hand Farm Hand

2. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Hideo (James) Todao
DOB 11 Feb 1919 16 Dec 1920
Marital Status S S
Citizenship US US
Sex M F
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 24 Jun 1943 9 Sep 1943
Age at Dep 24 23
Destination Chicago Cincinnati
Family Number 15736 15736

3. Washington State Birth Records.
a. Hideo James Tokimoto b 11 Feb 1919 in King County WA to Tomisabuto Tokimoto and Okaya Tahara
b. Tadao Tokimoto b 16 Dec 1920 south of Kent, King County, WA to T Tokimoto (Full name crossed out) and Kazo Tokimoto

4. 1920 Federal Census. Hideo Tokimota 11mos b in 1920 in WA. Res East Road, Christopher, WA. Son of HOH. F and M b in Japan. Tomisaburo Tokimota 44 HOH, Kayo Tokimota 30 wife, Tsuruko Tokimota 3 Dau, Hideo Tokimota 0.

5. 1927 Washington Death Records. Tomisaburo Tokimoto b abt 1865 d 11 Oct 1927 at age 62 in Aberdeen, WA. Died by accident while building a railroad bridge.

6. 1937 Seattle Arriving Passenger Lists. Tadawo Tokimoto 16 b abt 1921 in King County, WA. Single. Departed Kobe Japan. Arrived Apr 1937 on Hikawa Maru. Destination Kent, WA. Person in old country Kayo Tokimoto mother. Person in US Hajime Nakai uncle.

7. SJ 20 Mar 1938 p 5. “Christian Youth Will Meet Here” Hideo Tokimoto is the treasurer of the Japanese Young People’s Christian Conference.

8. 1940 Seattle Arriving Passenger Lists. Hideo James Tokimoto 21 b 1919 in Thomas, WA. Single. Last Res Brooks, OR. Departed Yokohama, Japan, arrived Seattle Mar 1940 on the Hie Maru. Permanent Res, Citizen. Person in old country Okayo Tokimoto, mother, Hiroshima-Ken, Japan. Person in US Mr Yagoro Kaneko.

9. 1940 Federal Census.

a. Hideo Tokimoto 21 b abt 1919 in WA. Single HOH. Rents home on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR. Res in 1935 Hood River, OR. Farm Laborer. Completed 4 yr HS. Worked 22 weeks in 1939. Hideo Tokimoto 21 HOH, Tadao Tokimoto 19 Partner.

b. Tadao Tolimoto 19 b abt 1921 in WA. Single, Partner. Res home on Van Cleave Rd, Broods, OR. Res in 1935 Japan. Completed 2nd yr HS.

10. 1942 Draft Registration Card. Hideo James Tokimoto HOH b 11 Feb 1919 in Kent, WA. Res (Several addresses noted and crossed out) 1. 2412 NE Clackamas, Portland, OR. 2. 7/12/41 5606 SE Yamhill St. 3. After 4 Jun Brooks, OR Rt 1 Box 264. 4. 712 South Ashland Blvd, Chicago, IL. Reg date 16 Oct 1942. Student, Benson Poly Tech. 5’7”, 130 lbs. NOK Tadeo Takimoto, Brother.

11. 1942 Draft Registration Card. Tadeo Tokimoto HOH b 16 Dec 1920 in King County, WA. Res Brooks, OR. Reg date 15 Feb 1942 in OR. Employer and NOK Y Kaneko.

12. 1944 Statement of US Citizen of Japanese Ancestry. Tadao Tokimoto. Res 3630 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH. Previous Addresses: With parents in Japan 1921-1937; Rt 5 Box 4a, Seattle, WA Apr 1937-Dec 1937; Rt 1 Box 264 Brooks, OR Dec 1937-Jun 1942. Single. Brother Hideo James Tokimoto, US Citizen, 712 S Ashland Bl, Chicago, IL, student. Sister Tsuryko Nakamura, address unknown. Education in Japan 1927-1935. Salem OR Central School 1937-1941. Worked as a farmhand near Seattle Apr – Dec 1937 then also as a farmhand in Brooks, OR Dec 1937-Jun 1942 then in an auto service and supply shop in Cincinnati, OH Sep 43-present. References include two teachers in Salem (known 5 years) and Private Kenneth Takayama for 7 years at the 1540th Service Unit (SC) Quartermaster, Ft Thomas, KY.

13. Cincinnati Enquirer 8 Aug 1944 p 14. Tadao Tokimoto 23 of 3630 Reading Rd a machinist married Lorraine M Topeyama 20 3247 Delaware Ave, operator.

14. 1950 Federal Census.

a. Hideo J Tokomoto 31 b abt 1919 in WA. Married HOH. Res Chicago, IL. Maintenance Worker, Pottery Manufacturing. Hideo J Tokimoto 31 HOH, Mitsuko Tokimoto 30 wife, Toyoko Hosimoto 32 Sister-in-Law

b. Tadao Tokimoto 29 b abt 1921 in WA. Married HOH. Res 248 Northson, Cincinnati, OH. Auto Machinist. Tadao Tokimoto 29 HOH, Loraine Tokimoto 26 Wife, Janice J E Tokimoto 4 Dau.

15. 1962 Federal Naturalization Records. Petition for Naturalization Masato Nakamura. Married Tsuruko on 5 Jan 1935 in Hiroshima, Japan. She was born in Christopher, WA on 8 Dec 1916 and is a US citizen. Two of their children were born in Japan in 1948 and 1950. A third child was born in Chicago in 1959. They immigrated to the US in 1957. A witness on the petition is Mitsuko Tokimoto, 3520 North Reta, Chicago, Il. (Hideo’s wife)

16. 1964 Sunnyvale, CA CD. Tokimoto Tadeo (Lorraine) Auto Mach h 1118 Plymouth Dr.

17. 1980 California Death Index. Tadao Tokimoto b 16 Dec 1920 in WA, d 5 Dec 1980 in Santa Clara, CA. Mother’s maiden name Tahara.

18. 1980 Find a Grave. Tadao Tokimoto b 16 Dec 1920, d 5 Dec 1980 (59). Oak Hill Memorial Park, San Jose, CA. Same headstone: Lorraine (wife) b 18 Feb 1924, d 11 Oct 2016.

19. Chicago Tribune 4 Nov 1991 p 43. Hideo “Jimmy” Tokimoto Obit. Surv Wife Maryann, children Peggy Sasamoto, Patricia Arvanites and Debbie Tokimoto. Brother Tsurko Nakamura.

In June 1942, 26-year-old Tetsuo J (Joe) Tomita was interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until his release in May 1944.

Tetsuo Tomita was born to F Umanozio Tomita and M Toku (Itagaki) Tomita on 17 Jan 1916 in Seattle Washington.  His father, a farmer, was 33 at the time.  Both Tetsuo’s parents were Japanese immigrants who arrived in the US between 1907 and 1911.  Tetsuo returned to Japan with his parents to visit relatives before he reached the age of 3.  By 1930, 14-year-old Tetsuo and his brother 11-year-old Yokio were living with their parents who were managing a hotel in Tacoma, WA.

Tetsuo graduated from high school in Tacoma then again visited Japan with his father in 1934.  However, shortly after this visit, his father started losing his eyesight.  In 1937, after Tetsuo entered the University of Washington, his remaining family decided to return to Japan where his father could be cared for by their extended family.  Tetsuo tried living in Japan for a short time, but he later said that he was an American and did not fit well into Japanese society.  He returned to the US and, without support for his continued schooling, he became a bit of a vagabond.

By 1940, Tetsuo, now known as Joe or Joseph, was working on a farm in Weld County, CO where he registered for the draft.  It is unknown what brought him to Brooks, OR by the summer of 1942 but this is where he began his travel to Tule Lake.  Although he later claimed to have been in the Camp for only a few months, the official record shows he was released to reside in Boise, ID after almost two years.

Hard to say where Tetsuo went after Boise, but he said a job offer brought him to Pennsylvania.  The 1950 Federal Census shows him married and living in Spring Garden, PA while working in a poultry processing plant.  He married a divorcee, Yeako (Jeane) Tamachita who had two children, Richard Kie and Naomi.  Records show that both children took the Tomita name.  Tetsuo and Yeako added a daughter, Christine shortly after their marriage.

Tetsuo and Yeako raised their children in York County, PA while Tetsuo became a successful real estate agent.  However, in the summer of 1972, the couple divorced.  Tetsuo passed away at age 81 on 1 Dec 1997 at age 81 in York County, PA.  Sadly, he apparently lost close ties with his step children as only his daughter Christine and her children were named as survivors in his obituary.  He must have kept in touch with his extended family because, despite his pride in being an American, his body was returned to Japan for burial.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Tomita)
First, MI (Sex) Tetsuo J 26 James N Yaeko Kei Doris
Last Tomita Yamashita Yamashita Yamashita Yamashita
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Jerome Jerome Jerome Jerome
Assembly Ctr Santa Anita Santa Anita Santa Anita Santa Anita
Last Address Marion, OR PA Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F US

M US

 F US

M US
Father’s Occ Management Farm Ops Ukn Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan None None 10 None None
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree No Degree
Year First Arrived in US Not Shown
Length of Time in Japan 1-5 yrs 1-5 Between 10 and 15 years 0 0
Visits to Japan 3 1 1 not at school 0 0
Indv Number 15767A 0-213A 0-213B 0-213C 0-213D
Year of Birth 1916 1910 1915 1938 1940
Place of Birth Washington California Washington California California
Religion Protestant Protestant Protestant Protestant None
Skill Truck Farmer Sales Clerk Sales Clerk
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Tetsuo J Noboru James Yeko Kei Naomi Doris
Last Tomita Yamashita Yamashita Yamashita Yamashita
DOB 17 Jan 1916
Marital Status S M M S S
Citizenship US US US US US
Sex M M F M F
Original Entry Salem, OR Long Beach CA Long Beach CA Long Beach CA Long Beach CA
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 13 Oct 1942 13 Oct 1942 13 Oct 1942 13 Oct 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Long Beach CA Long Beach CA Long Beach CA Long Beach CA
Date of Dep 1 May 1944 16 Mar 1943 15 Sep 1943 15 Sep 1943 15 Sep 1943
Age at Dep 28
Destination Boise, ID Springfield MO Springfield MO Springfield MO Springfield MO
Family Number 15767 11-213 11-213 11-213 11-213
  1. WA State Birth Record. Tetsue Tomita b 17 Jan 1916 in Seattle Wa.  F Umanozio Tomita 33 farmer.  M Toku Itagaki 29 housewife.  M and F b in Japan.  Res 2714 47 Ave SW.  Second child of couple.
  2. 1919 Emergency Passport Application. Tetsuo Tomita, male age 3.  B 17 Jan 1916 in Seattle, WA.  Res Yokohama, Japan.  Passport issue date 11 Mar 1919.  F Umanogio Tomita.  No photo.  Was in Japan with father from 1 Oct 1918 to 11 Mar 1919.
  3. 1930 Federal Census: Tetsuo Tomita b abt 1916 in Seattle, WA.  Japanese.  Son of HOH.  Res 1701 Market St, Tacoma, WA.  Attending school.  F and M b in Japan.  Uma Nojo Tomita 48 HOH Hotel Manager Immigrated 1907 alien.  Toku Tomita 43 Wife Chambermaid Immigrated 1911 alien.  Tetsuo Tomita 14 Son.  Yokio Tomita 11 Son.
  4. 1934 WA Arriving Passenger Lists. Tetsuo Tomita 18 single male.  B 1916 in Seattle, WA.  Last res Tacoma, WA.  Dep Yokohama, Japan.  Arrived Seattle 13 Nov 1934 on the Hiru Maru.  Final destination Tacoma, WA to live with Father Umanojo Tomita.  Uncle in Old Country Kannojo Tomita.
  5. 1934 Lincoln HS, Tacoma, WA yearbook. Joe Tomita abt 16 senior.
  6. 1935 Tacoma CD. Joe Tomita Hotel Mgr, Superior Hotel.  Res 1701 Market.
  7. 1936 Tacoma CD. Joe Tomita student.  Res 1701 Market, Tacoma, WA.
  8. 1937 CA Arriving Passsenger Lists. Tetsuo Tomita 21 single male student.  B abt 1916 in Seattle, WA.  Dep Yokohama, Japan.  Arrived 20 May 1937 in San Pedro, CA on the Asama Maru.  Last Res WA.  Passage paid by father Omanojyo Tomita.
  9. CA Marriage Index 21 Sep 1937 Yaeko Nitta married Nobaru Yamashita in Los Angeles, CA.
  10. 1940 Federal Census.
    1. Tetsuo Tomita 24 b abt 1916 in WA. Single lodger.  Res  Windbourn, Weld, CO.  Farmer working on own account.  Highest grade 2nd yr college.  Homer S Iwata 37 HOH Farmer, Trohiko Iwata 28, Chizuko Iwata 5, Heroshi Iwata 4, Michi Iwata 2, Toshiaki Iwata 5 mos, Tetsuo Tomita 24 lodger Farmer.
    2. Yeako Yamachita 24 b abt 1916 in WA. Wife of HOH.  Res 156 Terminal Way, LA, CA.  Highest school 4 ys HS.    Noboru Yamachita 29 HOH, Yeako Tamachita 24 housewife, Kei Yamashita 1 son.
  11. 16 Oct 1940 Draft Registration. Joe Tetsuo Tomita, 24.  B 17 Jan 1916 in Seattle, WA. Res Fort Lupton, Weld, CO.  Employer self.  NOK Homer S Iwata, friend.
  12. 1950 Federal Census: Joe T Tomita 34 b abt 1916 in WA.  Japanese.  Married HOH.  Res Spring Garden, York, PA.  Occ: Check Rexer??? (Chicken Rasher is the process of making pressed chicken meat into a bacon like product.  See 1 Dec 1991 newspaper article below.) Working Class: Private???.  Joe T Tomita 34 HOH, Jeane Y Tomita 34 Wife, Richard K Tomita 11 son, Naomi Tomita 9 dau.
  13. The York Dispatch, 15 Jun 1959 pg 21. Bridal shower for Judy Taylor held at Tomita home, 977 Moffitt Ln.  In attendance Naomi Tomita, Mrs Joe Tomita and Christine Tomita.
  14. York Daily Record, 15 Jun 1962 p 17. Naomi D Tomita, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph T Tomita, 977 Market Ln, graduated from American University, Washington DC where she currently lives.  Bachelor of Science in Business Admin.
  15. The York Daily Record, 22 Aug 1968. Marriage License application.  Gilbert Myers David Jr, Rd 1 Wrightsville and Naomi Doris Tomita 977 Moffet Ln.
  16. The York Dispatch, 1 Sep 1972 pg 23. Announcement.  Jean Y Tomita, 977 Moffett Ln received a divorce from Joe T Tomita, Landsdale, PA.
  17. York Daily Record, 26 Ju 1989 pg 14. Joe Tomita named “Salesman of the Month” at Ed Saxe Real estate.  Million dollar sales club from1983-1988.
  18. The York Sunday News 1 Dec 1991, p37 (Sec C pg 1). Article about Joe Tomita’s interment.  Summary of his comments.  He was angry about the interment but it didn’t last.  He was released from the camp after only 3 mos because of a shortage of farm laborers.  (Official records says he was interred for almost 2 years.)  He was released to Boise, ID and lived with a family who treated him very well.  His parents returned to Japan in 1937 because his father had gone blind and couldn’t work so he went back to be with family.  Moved to York in 1946 to work in the poultry industry.
  19. Public Records Index.
    1. Joe T Tomita b 17 Jan 1916.  Res 301 E Market St Apt 2, York, PA.  Second address 977 Moffett Ln, York, PA
    2. Joe T Tometa res 228 Liberty Ct, York, PA
  20. 1997 Social Security Death Claims. Joe Tetsuo Tomity (Joe T Tomita).  B 17 Jan 1916 in Seattle, WA.  D 1 Dec 1997.  F Umanojo Tomito.  M Toku Itagaki.  SSN 524 16 6439.
  21. The York Dispatch, PA 3 Dec 1997 p 34. Joe T Tomita obit.  Died 1 Dec at his residence at age 81.  Work history in Real Estate.  Member of York County Board of Realtors.  B in Seattle 17 Jan 1916. Son of late Umanojo and Toku Itagaki Tomita.  Leaves daughter Christine A Eicher of Wrightstown NJ; a grandson, a great-grand-daughter and friend Joyce Johnson of York.  Local memorial service.  Burial in Gumma-Ken Japan.
  22. The York Dispatach, PA 7 Mar 2001. Announcement.  Second and final account of Thomas L Kearney, III, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Joe T Tomita, late of York City, York County, PA, deceased.

Primary Source Materials

Listen to interview with Tatsuro “Tats” Yada from the Oregon Historical Society’s digital collections here.

Watch an interview with Emiko Yada Somkeawa from the Densho Project digitally here.

Parents

Children
Mitsujiro Yoshimoto (1883-1968) Mitsue Yoshimoto Chihara (1921-1980)
Kai Yoshimoto (c.1898-1974) Yoshiye Yoshimoto Mukai (1922-2016)
Katsuko Yoshimoto Yamamoto (1924-2011)
Ruby Yoshimoto Fujizawa (1927-2018)
Mitsuaki Yoshimoto (1928-1990)
Kamebruki Yoshimoto (c.1930-before 1940)
Tsukiye Yoshimoto Teramoto (1932-2001)

Brooks, Oregon -> Tule Lake -> Jerome Relocation Center (Arkansas) –> Gila River Camp (AZ)/Minidoka Relocation Center (Jerome, ID) –> Fowler, CA/Chicago, IL

In June 1942, 60-year-old Mitsujiro Yoshimoto, his wife Kai and their six children were interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until Sep 1943 with they were moved to the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas and finally to the Gila River camp in Arizona.  The children and their ages at interment were Mitsue 21, Yoshiye 19, Katsuko 17, Ruby 15, Mitsauki  13 and Tsukiye 9.  Mitsue met and married Takashi Archie Chihara in the Jerome Relocation Center and became a member of his family.  The Chihara family was later moved to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Jerome, ID.

Mitsujiro Yoshimoto was born on 3 Dec 1883 in Hiroshima, Japan and arrived in the US as in 1899.  His wife Kai Ohara was also born in Japan around 1898 and arrived in the US in 1915.  They married around 1921.  Their first residence was farmland near Gilroy, CA.

Their first child, Mitsue was born in California on 24 Apr 1921 followed by three more daughters, Yoshiye in Aug 1922, Katsuko in Jun 1924 and Ruby in Jan 1927.  Their only son Mitsuaki was also California born in Jun 1928.  In 1930, Mitsugiro was a seed farm foreman living with the family in Hollister, CA.  Records indicate that a one-year-olld son, Kamebruki had been added to the family by then.  However, he must have died at an early age as there are no other records of him.

Something enticed the family to move to an area near Banks, Oregon by time the final child in the family, Tsukiye, was born in Oct 1932.  Although there are no 1940 census records of the family, sometime between 1935 and 1942, the family moved to rural Salem.  It appears that Mitsujiro was a farmer for the majority of this time.  At the time of the family’s interment, even the oldest of the children were listed as farmhands.

The family was removed from Brooks, OR to the Tule Lake facility in June of 1942.  However, unlike other Brooks families placed a Tule Lake, the Yoshimoto’s were not there for their entire confinement.  It is possible their first move was to make way for others.  Questions about the loyalty of many Japanese American males at other camps based on their answers to the confusing loyalty questionnaire, many were transferred to Tule Lake and placed under higher security.  This may have caused some overcrowding.  The Yoshimoto family was moved to Arkansas’s Jerome Relocation Center in Sep 1943.  When Jerome was converted to a German prisoner of war camp in Jun1944, the family, minus Mitsue, were again moved to Arizona’s Gila River camp.

Mitsue, 24 at the time, met and married Takashi Archie Chihara (b 1913) in the Jerome Relocation Center and became a member of his family (No 17290).  The Chihara family was later moved to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Jerome, ID.

The Yoshimoto’s were released as follows:  Mitsujiro, Kai, Mituaki, and Tsukiye were released from Gila River to Fowler, CA. Oct 45.  Katsuko (20) and Ruby (18) were released earlier to Chicago, IL in May 45 most likely to live with Mitsue and her new family.  The Chihara family consisted of the oldest brother Takashi Archie, his wife Mitsue and this younger brother Joe George (b 1922).  Joe George was released from Minitoka in Jun 43 to Marengo, IL (just NW of Chicago).  Takashi was released in Oct 44 to Cascade, ID while his wife Mitsue was released in Feb 45 to Chicago, IL.

Mitsujiro apparently had not established strong ties to the northwest prior to the family’s removal so, when the family was released after the war, they moved back to a town in north central California, Fowler.  Mitsujiro lived there for the rest of his life and passed away in Mar 1968.  Kai remained there until her death in May 1974.

It is unclear how long Mitsui lived in the Chicago area, but she and husband Takashi returned to the west coast where Mitsui passed away in San Francisco in Oct 1980

Yoshie married Masao Mukai in Fresno, CA on 3 Nov 1951.  Masao farmed near Fresno supporting his widowed mother and three siblings.  Masao passed away in 1987 last living in Fowler, CA.  He was survived by Yoshiye and three children.  Yoshiye passed away on 12 Nov 2016 and is buried in Fowler, CA.

Katsuko married Yutaka Yamamoto in 1950.  The couple farmed in the Fresno area for the remainder of their marriage.  Katsuko died on 25 Dec 2011.

Ruby was attracted to Southern California were in 1950, she was a maid and child care worker living with a private family in Los Angeles.  In 1956, me married Teruo Fujizawa and passed away in May 2018.  She is buried at the Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

Mitsuaki graduated from Fowler Union HS in 1947 and on 29 Jan 1950 he enlisted in the US Army.  He served during the Korean war and left the service in the fall of 1956.  By 1958, he had married and was living in Fresno, CA.  Eventually Mitsuake and his wife Anna Marie moved to southern California.  Mitsuaki died in 1990 and Anna Marie died in 2004.  They are both buried in the Pacific Crest Cemetary, Redondo Beach, CA.

Tsukiye married Tom T Teramoto on 12 May 1952 in Fresno, CA.  They had three children; Bruce, Wayne and Keith.  Tsukiye worked for the IRS for 22 years.  She passed away on 2 Jun 2001 at age 68, just 13 days after her husband died.  Services for both were held in the Fowler, CA Buddhist Church.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Database (Yoshimoto)
First, MI (Sex) Mitsujiro 60 Kai 44 Mitsue 21 Yoshiye 19 Katsuko 17 Ruby 15 Mitsuaki 13 Tsukiye 9
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan 6 yrs 6 yrs Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan Never in Japan
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree 4 yr HS in US 4 yr HS in US 4 yr HS in US 1 yr HS in US 7 yr elementary 4 yr elementary
Year First Arrived in US 1899 1915
Length of Time in Japan 15-20 15-20
Visits to Japan 1 1 None None None None None None
Indv Number 15705A 15705B 15705C 15705D 15705E 15705F 15705G 15705H
Year of Birth 1883 1883 1921 1922 1924 1927 1928 1932
Place of Birth Japan Japan CA CA CA CA CA OR
Religion Buddhist Buddhist None None Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist
Skill Truck Farm Farm Hand Seam. Farm Hand Seam. Farm Hand Farm Hand
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Mitsuijiro Kai Mitsue Yoshiye Katsuko Ruby Mitsuaki Tsukiye
DOB 2 Dec 1883 1 Jul 1898 24 Apr 21 27 Aug 22 4 Jun 24 27 Jan 27 29 Jun 28 11 Oct 32
Marital Status M M M S S S S S
Citizenship J J US US US US US US
Sex M F F F F F M F
Original Entry Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR Salem, OR
Date of Dep 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43 21 Sep 43
Age at Dep 59 45 22 21 19 16 15 11
Destination Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown Not Shown
Family Number 15705 15705 17290 15705 15705 15705 15705 15705
Married Takashi Chihara
  1. Additional War Relocation Records show that when released from Tule Lake in Sep 43, the Yoshimoto family was transferred to the Jerome Relocation Center in Arkansas, then again to the Gila River Relocation Center in Arizona most likely when Jerome closed in Jun 1944.
  2. Mitsue (24) met and married Takashi Archie Chihara (b 1913) in the Jerome Relocation Center and became a member of his family (No 17290). The Chihara family was later moved to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Jerome, ID.
  3. The family members were released as follows:
    1. Mitsujiro, Kai, Mituaki, and Tsukiye were released from Gila River to Fowler, CA. Oct 45. Katsuko (20) and Ruby (18) were released earlier to Chicago, IL. in May 45.
    2. The Chihara family consisted of the oldest brother Takashi Archie, his wife Mitsue and this younger brother Joe George (b 1922). Joe George was released from Minitoka in Jun 43 to Marengo, IL (just NW of Chicago).  Takashi was released in Oct 44 to Cascade, ID while his wife Mitsue was released in Feb 45 to Chicago, IL.
  4. 1 Jun 1915 SF, CA Arrival Register. Kai Yoshimoto arrived on the SS Magnolia in SF, CA.  Temporary hold due to pregnancy.
  5. WW1 Draft Card. Mitsujiro Yoshimoto 35 b 3 Dec 1883.  Res in 1917-1918 167 Monterey St, Gilroy, CA.  Farmhand.  No relatives in this county.
  6. CA Birth Index. Mitsue Yashimoto b 24 Apr 1921 in Santa Clara, CA.  M maiden name Ohara.
  7. CA Birth Index. Katsuko Yoshimoto b 4 Jun 1924 in Santa Clara, CA.  M maiden name Ohara.
  8. CA Birth Index. Ruby Yoshimoto b 27 Jan 1927 in San Benito County, CA.  M maiden name Ohara.
  9. 1930 Federal Census. Mitsugiro Yosimoto 48 b 1882 in Japan.  Married HOH.  Res 65 Brook-Hollon Rd, Hollister, CA.  Age at first marriage 39.  F and M b in Japan.  Unknown immigration year.  Citizenship (unreadable).  Forman, seed farm.  Mitsugiro Yoshimoto 48, Mitsu 34 wife, Mibria 10 dau, Yoshia 9 dau, Kutsuko 7 dau, Ruvi 3 dau, Kamebruki 1 son.
  10. CJ 23 Mar 1935 pg 2. “Pie Social Plans Announced by Club” 4H sewing club of the Manning School District 13 mentions Katsuko, Yoshye and Mitsue Yoshimoto demonstrating their sewing skills.  (near Banks, OR)
  11. 1940 Federal Census.
  12. WW2 Draft Card. Mitsujiro Yoshimoto 59 b 3 Dec 1883 in Hiroshima, Japan.  Res Rt 2 Box 326 Salem, OR.  Self Employed.  No NOK.  Registered 26 Apr 1942.
  13. Mtsuijiro b 1882
    1. 1950 Census age 67 lived in Fowler, CA with Kai 52, Yoshiye 26 dau, Mitisauki 22 son, and Tsukiye 17 dau. No work for anyone.
    2. Mar 1968 Social Security Death Index. Mitsujiro Yoshimoto SSN 552-50-4986 b 3 Dec 1883.  Last Res Fowler, CA.  D Mar 1968.
  14. Kai b 1898
    1. 1950 Census age 52 lived in Fowler CA with family.
    2. May 1974 Social Security Death Index. Kai Yoshimoto SSN 551-56-8543 b 1 Jul 1898.  Last Res Fowler, CA.  D May 1974.
  15. Mitsui b 1921 dau
    1. CA Birth Index. Mistue Yashimoto b 24 Apr 1921 in Santa Clara, CA
    2. Mitsue (24) met and married Takashi Archie Chihara (b 1913) in the Jerome Relocation Center and became a member of his family (No 17290). The Chihara family was later moved to the Minidoka Relocation Center in Jerome, ID.
    3. The Chihara family consisted of the oldest brother Takashi Archie, his wife Mitsue and this younger brother Joe George (b 1922). Joe George was released from Minitoka in Jun 43 to Marengo, IL (just NW of Chicago).  Takashi was released in Oct 44 to Cascade, ID while his wife Mitsue was released in Feb 45 to Chicago, IL.
    4. Social Security Death Index. Mitsuye Chihara (Yoshimoto) b 24 Apr 1921 in Gilroy, CA.  D Oct 1980 in San Francisco, CA.
  16. Yoshie b 1921 dau
    1. 1950 Federal Census. Masao Mukai living with his widowed mother and three siblings on a farm they owned in Fresno, CA.
    2. 3 Nov 1951. Yoshiye 29 married Masao Mukai on this date in Fresno, CA.
    3. Selma (CA) Enterprise 6 Feb 1987 pg 2. Masao Mukai obit.  Age 70 B abt 1917 in Fresno, CA. Died on this date in Visalia, CA.  (Res of Fowler, CA).  Surv wife Yoshiye wife, children Ronald, Ricky, Mukai, Randy
    4. Find a Grave. Yoshiye Mukai b 27 Aug 1922 d 12 Nov 2016.  Fowler Cemetery, Fowler, CA.
  17. Katsuko b 1925 dau
    1. CA Marriage Index. Katsuko Yoshimoto 25 married Yutaka J Yamamoto on 25 Feb 1950 in Fresno, CA.
    2. 1950 Federal Census. Katsuko living on a farm in Fresno with her husband Jim Y Yamamoto.
    3. 2011 Social Security Death Index. Katsuko Yamamoto SSN 360 22 8031 (issued in IL) B 4 Jun 1924.  Last Res Oakland, CA.  D 25 Jan 2011
  18. Ruby b 1927 dau
    1. CA Birth Index. Ruby Yoshimoto b 27 Jan 1927 in San Benito County, CA.  M maiden name Ohara
    2. Ruby Yoshimoto 22 b abt 1928 in OR. Single never married.    Res 1354 N Alta Vista Blvd, Los Angeles, CA.  Servant in private home.  Living with family of Edward B Meripol 35 including wife, two children and a brother age 33.
    3. 1956 CA Marriage Index. Ruby Toshimoto 29 b abt 1927 married Teruo Fujizawa 31 in Los Angeles, CA.
    4. 1960 CA Voter Index. Mrs Ruby Fujizawa.  Res 1625 W 146th St, LA, CA.
    5. 2018 Find a Grave. Ruby Fujizawa b 27 Jan 1927, d 23 May 2018.  Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
  19. Mitsuaki b 1929 son
  20. 1 Jul 1946 Draft Card. Mitsauki Yoshimoto 18 b 29 Jan 1928 in Hollister, CA.  Res Rt 4, Box 206A,  in Fresno, CA.  Student at Fowler HS.  NOK Mitsujiro Yoshimoto
  21. BIRLS Death Files. Mitsuaki Yoshimoto b 29 Jun 1928 d 5 Jan 1990.  SSN 571 38 2826.  Army Enlisted 20 Oct 1950 Discharged 19 Jun 1956.
  22. The Fowler (CA) Ensign, 12 Jun 1947 pg 4. Article on the graduates of Fowler Union HS including Mitsuaki Yoshimoto.
  23. 1958 Fresno, CA CD. Mitsuake and Anna M Yoshimoto living at 1116 Klette Ave, Fresno, CA.
  24. 1990 Social Security Death Index. Mitsuaki Yoshimoto SSN 571 38 2826 issued in CA.  B 29 Jun 1928 in .  Last Lawndale, LA County, CA
  25. 1990 Find a Grave. Mitsauki Yoshimoto buried next to wife Anna Marie who died in 2004.
  26. Tsukiye b 1933 dau
    1. 12 May 1952 California Marriage Index. Tsukiye Yoshimoto 19 b abt 1933 married Tom T Teramoto 26 in Fresno, CA.
    2. 1987-2001 Public Records Index. Tsukiye Teramot b Oct 1932 Res 4447 E Donner Ave, Fresno, CA.  Prior res 3402 N Ezie Ave, Fresno, CA.
    3. The Fresno Bee 7 Jun 2001 pg 21. Tsukiye Teramoto Obit 68 died on 2 Jun 2001 in Fowler, CA.  Just 13 days after her husband Tom Teramoto.  Survived by her sons Bruce, Wayne and Keith.  Worked for the IRS for 22 years.  Services at the Fowler Buddhist Church.
  27. 1 Jul 1946 Draft Reg Card. Mitsauki Yoshimoto 18 b 29 Jan 1928 in Hollister, CA.  Reg inn Fresno, CA.  Student at Fowler HS.  NOK Mitsujiro Yoshimoto.
  28. The Fowler (CA) Ensign, 12 Jun 1947 pg 4. Article on the graduates of Fowler Union HS including Mitsuaki Yoshimoto.
  29. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. Mitanjiso Yosimoto 67 b abt 1883. Married HOH.  Res 212 6th St, Fowler, CA.  Not a farm.  No seeking work.  Mitanjiso Yosimoto 67 HOH, Kai 52 wife, Yoshiye 26 dau, Mitsauki 22 son, Tsukiey 17 dau.  No work identified for anyone in the household (however, only a few on this census page showed any work)
    2. Ruby Yoshimoto 22 b abt 1928 in OR. Single never married.    Res 1354 N Alta Vista Blvd, Los Angeles, CA.  Servant in private home.  Living with family of Edward B Meripol 35 including wife, two children and a brother age 33.
    3. Masao Mukai 33 b abt 1917in CA. Single, never married.  Brother to HOH.  Res 2490 Maple St, Fresno, CA. (farm)    Owns business.  Toshio Mukai 31 HOH, Masao Mukai 33 bro, Nobuko Mukai 28 sister, Miyako Mukai 34 sister, Mura Mukai 63 mother.
    4. Katanko Yamamoto 25 b abt 1925 in CA. Wife of HOH.  Res Far on Adams Rd in Fresno, CA.  Keeping House.  Jim Y Yamamoto 31 HOH, Katanko Yamamoto 25 wife.
  30. 1950 CA Marriage Index. Katsuko Yoshimoto 25  married Yutaka J Yamamoto on 25 Feb 1950 in Fresno, CA.
  31. 3 Nov 1951. Yoshiye Yoshimoto 29 married Masao Mukai on this date in Fresno, CA.
  32. 12 May 1952 California Marriage Index.Tsukiye Yoshimoto 19 b abt 1933 married Tom T Teramoto 26 in Fresno, CA.
  33. 1955 CA Marriage Index. Willie M Yoshimoto 26 b abt 1929 married Yoriko Shimizu 24 in San Mateo, CA on 28 Aug 1955.
  34. 1956 CA Marriage Index. Ruby Toshimoto 29 b abt 1927 married Teruo Fujizawa 31 in Los Angeles, CA.
  35. Mar 1968 Social Security Death Index. Mitsujiro Yoshimoto SSN 552-50-4986 b 3 Dec 1883.  Last Res Fowler, CA.  D Mar 1968.
  36. 1960 CA Voter Index. Mrs Ruby Fujizawa.  Res 1625 W 146th St, LA, CA.
  37. May 1974 Social Security Death Index. Kai Yoshimoto SSN 551-56-8543 b 1 Jul 1898.  Last Res Fowler, CA.  D May 1974.
  38. Oct 1980 Social Security Death Index. Mitsuye Chihara (Yoshimoto) b 24 Apr 1921 in Gilroy, CA.  SSN 359 22 9615. D Oct 1980 in SF, CA.  F Mitsujiro Yoshimoto M Kai.
  39. Selma (CA) Enterprise 6 Feb 1987 pg 2. Masao Mukai obit.  Age 70 B abt 1917 in Fresno, CA. Died on this date in Visalia, CA.  (Res of Fowler, CA).  Surv wife Yoshiye wife, children Ronald, Ricky, Mukai, Randy
  40. 1987-2001 Public Records Index. Tsukiye Teramot b Oct 1932 Res 4447 E Donner Ave, Fresno, CA.  Prior res 3402 N Ezie Ave, Fresno, CA.
  41. 1990 Social Security Death Index. Mitsuaki Yoshimoto SSN 571 38 2826 issued in CA.  B 29 Jun 1928.  Last Res Lawndale, LA County, CA
  42. 1990 Find a Grave. Mitsauki Yoshimoto buried next to wife Anna Marie who died in 2004.
  43. 2011 Social Security Death Index. Katsuko Yamamoto SSN 360 22 8031 (issued in IL) B 4 Jun 1924.  Last Res Oakland, CA.  D 25 Jan 2011
  44. 2018 Find a Grave. Ruby Fujizawa b 27 Jan 1927, d 23 May 2018.  Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
  45. The Fresno Bee 7 Jun 2001 pg 21. Tsukiye Teramoto Obit 68 died on 2 Jun 2001 in Fowler, CA.  Just 13 days after her husband Tom Teramoto.  Survived by her sons Bruce, Wayne and Keith.  Worked for the IRS for 22 years.  Services at the Fowler Buddhist Church.

Parents

Children
Otoichi Umemoto (1881-1957) Kimye Umemoto Masukawa (1916-)
Fumiyo Yamachita Umemoto (1894-1980) Clara Kazue Umemoto Okito (1919-2004)
Masako Martha Umemoto Maehara(1925-1990)
Michiko “Michie” Umemoto Osaka(1927-2005)
Giro Umemoto (1929-2001)

Brooks -> Tule Lake -> Eastern Oregon/Brooks, Oregon

In Jun 1942 61-year-old Otoichi Umemoto, his 47-year-old wife Fumio and three of their children, Martha M (17), Michiko (14) and Giro (12) were interred at Tule Lake Japanese Relocation Center until their release in late December 1943 and March 1944.

Otoichi was born in Japan on 26 Jan 1881 and immigrated to the US in 1907 to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad during its construction.  In 1915, he arranged passage from Japan for Fumio Yamachita (b 27 Mar 1894) whom he married on the day she arrived in Seattle, 2 Apr 1915.  The ceremony was conducted in a Buddhist temple and they signed their name in Japanese.  They were lifelong Buddhists.

The couple farmed at various locations; first in Independence, OR, then Sherwood, and finally by 1922, in Brooks.  The couple’s first daughter Kimiye was born on 26 Sep 1916.  Their second daughter, Kazue was born in 1919 and a third, Masako was born in 1925.  These are the names as they appeared in the first known records.  However, the spelling of the daughter’s names varied throughout the years and they were also known by Americanized names.  A fourth daughter, Michiko born in 1927 followed by a son, Giro, born in 1930.

Before the family’s interment in 1942, apparently the oldest daughter, Kimiye, married a man named Masukawa and moved to Japan with him.  Their next oldest daughter, Kozue, married Noboru Okito in 1937.  They may have been interred separately or moved out of the exclusion zone but no record can be found.

Otoichi, Fumio, Masako (Martha), Machiko (Michie) and Giro were released from Tule Lake in early 1944 to eastern Oregon.  Giro’s record shows him returning to Brooks.  Martha married Charles Maehara in early 1948 in Malheur County, OR.  In 1950, she and Charles were still living in Malheur County while Michie was living in Pierce County, WA.  Giro remained with his parents in Ontario.

Otoichi died at age 76 in Ontario having farmed most of his life.  He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery, Ontario, OR.  Fumio died at age 86 in Ontario apparently living with her son Giro until then.  She is buried next to her Otoichi.  After receiving her Master’s in Fine Arts and 60 years of marriage, Masako (Martha) died at age 65 in Multnomah County, OR.  Giro also married and passed on 25 Dec 2001 in Portland.  Clara Kazue Okita met her husband Harry Noburu Okita in Brooks, married around 1938 and died on 17 Nov 2004 in Sherwood, OR.

Research:

  1. National Archives Japanese American Internee Data (Umemoto)
First, MI (Age) Otoichi 61 Fumio 47 Martha M 17 Michiko 14 Giro 12
Relocation Proj Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake Tule Lake
Assembly Ctr
Last Address Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR Marion, OR
Birthplace of Parents (F, M) F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan

 F Japan

M Japan
Father’s Occ Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops Farm Ops
Total Schooling in Japan 6 5 None None None
Educational Degree No Degree No Degree 4 yr HS in US 8 yrs Elementary
Year First Arrived in US 1904 1917
Length of Time in Japan 20+ yrs 20+ yrs None 1-5 yrs Never in Japan
Visits to Japan 2 2 0 1 0
Indv Number 15759A 15759B 15759C 15759D 15759E
Year of Birth 1881 1897 1924 1927 1929
Place of Birth Japan Japan Oregon Oregon Oregon
Religion Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Buddhist Not Shown
Skill Truck Farmer Farm Hand Seamstress
  1. War Relocation Authority Final Accounting or All Residents:
First, MI (Sex) Otoichi Fumio Masako Ume Martha Michiko Mich Giro
DOB 26 Feb 1881 27 Mar 1897 13 Nov 24 15 May 1927 30 Apr 1929
Marital Status M M S S S
Citizenship J J US US US
Sex M F F F M
Original Entry Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Entry 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942 2 Jun 1942
Pre Evac Add Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR Brooks, OR
Date of Dep 27 Dec 1943 10 Jan1944 10 Jan 1944 21 Mar 1944 21 Mar 1944
Age at Dep 62 47 20 16 15
Destination Caldwell, ID Ontario, OR Caldwell, ID Ontario, OR Brooks, OR
Family Number 15759 15759 15759 15759 15759
  1. 1910 Federal Census: Otoiche Uamanott (Umemoto) 29 b 1881 in Japan. Single.  Alien.  F and M b in Japan.  Res Eagle Gorge, W.  Northern Pacific Railroad Trail.  Japanese.  Immigrated 1907.  Rel to HOH Partner.  Occ piler in lumber mill.  Sacriahi Unwata 31 HOH, Leana Nishimura 28 partner, Otoiche Yamanott 29 partner, Yasn Tanaka 28 partner.
  2. 1915 Washington Arriving Passenger Record. Fumio Umemoto arrived on the ship Awa Maru on 2 Apr 1915.  Last Address Hirohimma, Japan.  Passage paid by husband, Otiochi Umemoto, Portland, OR.
  3. 1915 Washington Marriage Records: Otoichi Umemoto 35 b abt 1880 in Japan married Fumio Yamachita on 2 Apr 1915 in Seattle, WA.  Otoichi res Independence, OR.  Occ Farmer.  Father deceased.  Mother’s maiden name Isayo Magehara.  Fumio res Japan Father Koyemon Yamachita.  Mother’s maiden name Masu Kuramao.  Married in Buddhist church in Seattle.  Fumio signed her name in Japanese.
  4. 26 Sep 1916 Oregon Birth Record. Kimiye Umemoto (35) born to Otoichi Umemoto (32) and Fumiyo Yamamoto.  (Parent age difference inconsistent with marriage record.)
  5. 1920 Federal Census.
    1. Otoichi Umemoto 39 b abt 1881 in Japan. Married HOH.  Res farm in Mulloy, Washington Cty, OR (Just northeast of the current Willsonville).  Immigrated 1905.  Japanese alien.  M and F b in Japan.  Able to read and write.  Otoichi Umemoto 39 HOH, Fumiyo Umemoto 26 wife, Kimie Umemoto 3 dau, Kazne Umemoto 2 dau.
    2. Nobora Okito 8 b abt 1912 in Oregon. Son of HOH. Res Spring Rd,, Mount Scott, OR.    M and F b in Japan.  Thow Okito 44 HOH (Rented home, Truck Farmer), Oka Okito 32 wife, Noboro Okito 8 son, Toseo Okito 6 son, Horuko Okito 2 dau, Yei Shetoka 23 sister-in-law, Shato Shetoka 1 niece.
  6. 1920 Oregon Birth Record. Kahoye Umemoto b on 15 Apr 1920 to Otochi (39) and Fumiyo (26) Umemoto.  Rt 5, Sherwood, OR.  Father’s address Rt 1, Brooks, OR.
  7. 24 Dec 1925. Washington Arriving Passenger Liss.  Otoichi Uemoto (45) arrived in Seattle from Japan on this date under a US issued return permit.
  8. 1930 Federal Census: Otoichi Umemoto, 49, b abt 1881.  Japanese, Married HOH.  Res Brooks, OR. on a rented farm.   First marriage at age 33.  Able to read and write.  F and M b in Japan.  Immigrated 1904 (age 23).  Alien.  Truck Farmer.  Otoichi Umemoto 49 HOH,  Fumiyo Umemoto 37 wife (immigrated 1915, alien), Kozue 11 dau, Masako 5 dau, Michiko 4 dau, Giro 11 mos son,  Fernado Tumboga 29 lodger.  (All children born in Oregon)
  9. CJ 13 Jan 1937 pg7. “Second Marriage for Jap Couple”.  Naboru Okito of Rt 1, Independence and Kazue Umomoto, Rt 1 Brooks, both Japanese applied for a marriage liscense after ther had been married on 10 Jan in a Buddhist religious ceremony.
  10. 1940 Federal Census.
    1. Otichi Umemoto 46 b abt 1882 in Japan. Married HOH.  Res owns farm on Van Cleave Rd, Brooks, OR.    Occ Farm operator.  Highest grade 6.  Weeks worked 52.  Otichi Umemoto 58 HOH,  Fummyo Umememoto 46 wife, Kattain 19 dau, Martha 15 dau, Michie 12 dau, Giro 10 son.
    2. Harry Okita 27 b abt 1913 in Oregon.   Married HOH.  Res rented farm on Van Cleave Rd in Brooks, OR.  Farm Laborer.  Completed 8th grade.  Harry Okita 27 HOH, Clara Okita 22 wife, Dennie Okita 1 son.
  11. Abt 1942 Draft Record. Otoichi Umemoto (61) b 25 Feb 1881 in Itirochimo, Japan.  Res Brooks, OR.  Self employed in Brooks.  NOK Clara Okita Rt 1, Ontario, OR
  12. 10 Nov 1946. Western States Marriage Index.  Michiko Umemoto married 10 Nov 1946 in Payette, ID to Tom Shiego Osaka.
  13. 1 Feb 1948. Malheur County OR Marriage License.  Martha Umemoto married Charles Maehara on this date.  Martha age 23 b on 13 Nov 1924.  Charles 24 b on 19 May 1923 farmer.  Both single, first marriage.  Both born in Oregon.  All 4 parents born in Japan.
  14. 1950 Federal Census.
    1. O Umemoto 69 b abt 1881 in Japan. Married HOH.  Res farm in Fair, Malheur, OR. Questionnaire number 34 (?).    Hours worked 30.  Owns business.  Never served in the US armed services.  O Umemoto 68 HOH, F Umemoto 56 wife, G Umemoto 22 son.
    2. Michi Osaka (22) b abt 1928 in OR. Race Japanese.  Married wife of HOH.  Res in Pierce Cty, WA.  Housewife, not otherwise employed.  Tom Osaka 29 HOH, Michi Osaka 22 wife, Janis Osaka 3 dau, Gordon Osaka 1 son.
    3. Martha Maehara (25) b abt 1925 in OR.   Married to HOH.  Res Fair, Malhueur, OR.  Keeping House.  Not otherwise working.  Charles Haehara 26 HOH (Farm laborer),  Martha Haehara 25 wife, Nancy Maehara 6 mos dau.
  15. 1 Nov 1957 Oregon Death Record. Otoichi Umemoto (76) died on this date in Ontario, OR.  Last Res 571 Claggett Ln, Ontario, OR.  Length of stay in this location15 years.  Owns farm.  Japanese alien.  Wife Fujiyo Umemoto.  Death reported by Giro Umemoto, son.  Died on gastro intentinal hemorage, old age senility.
  16. Find a Grave. Otoichi Umemoto b 1881 d 1 Nov 1957.  Evergreen Cemetery, Ontario, OR.  Memorial ID 18603431.  Headstone includes Otoichi, Fumiyo, Giro and room for Shirley Omemoto.  Also includes Harry Okita and Clara Okita (daughter)
  17. 1958 Portland CD. Charles and Martha Maehara.  Mgr, New Earle Hotel.  H 209 NW 6th Ave, Portland, OR.
  18. Idaho Statesman 12 Sep 1980 pg 20. Fumiyo Umenoto obit.  Died at age 86 in an Ontario hospital at 8 pm on 10 Sep 1980.  Services at 8 p.m. on 12 Sep 1980 at the Idaho-Oregon Buddhist Temple.  Interment in Evergreen Cemetery in Ontario.  Born 27 Mar 1864 in Hiroshima, Japan.  Moved to the US in 1914 as a picture bride and married Otoichi Umemoto in Aug 1914.  (Conflicts with WA marriage record of 15 Apr 1915 but may have an official marriage record in absinthia in Japan).  Moved to Independence, OR in 1915, to Sherwood, OR in1916 and Brooks in 1922, to Tule Lake, CA in 1942 and Ontario in 1943.  Husband died in 1957.  She moved to Japan from 1961 to 1974 then moved back to Ontario.  Survivors:  son Hiro of Ontario and 5 daughters; Michei Osaka of Tacoma, WA, Clara Okita of Ontario, Kathryn Maehara of LA, CA, Martha Maehara of Portland, OR and Kimiye Masukawa of Japan.  Also 16 Grandchildren and 14 Greatgrandchildren.  Proceeded in death by three brothers on a sister.
  19. 18 May 1990 Oregon Death Index. Martha Masako Maehara 65 died on this date in Multnomah County, OR.  Husband Charles.
  20. 25 Dec 2001. Oregon Death Index.  Giro Umemoto died on this date in Portland, OR.  Wife Shirle.
  21. 17 Nov 2004 Social Security Claims Index. Clara Kazue Okita (Umemoto) died on this date.  B on 9 Feb 1918 om Sherwood, OR to Otoichi Umemoto and Fumiya Yamashita.
  22. 29 Oct 2005. Social Security Claims Index.  Michi Osaka (Michi Umemoto) b 15 May 1927 in Books, OR.  D 29 Oct 2005.   (Unlisted location of death)    F Otoichi Umemoto.  M Fumiyo.
  23. The Tacoma News Tribune 8 Nov 2005 pg 13. Michiko Osaka obit.  B 15 May 1927 min Brooks, OR.  D on 29 Oct 2005 from cancer.  After her family was interned in Tule Lake, she grew up in Ontario, OR. where she met her husband of nearly 60 years.  After the war, she moved to Fife, WA.  Educating herself through community college, the University of Puget Sound and eventually earned a MFA from the University of Washington.  Preceded in death by her sisters Kaoe, Masako and Kazui and her younger brother Giro.  Survived by her husband and three children and her sister Kimko Masukawa who resides in Japan.

Primary Documents

Michie appears in the 1940 Salem Centennial Scrapbook.  Willamette Heritage Center Collections 2017.035.0001

Other Sources:

Chambers, Doug. Illustrated Memories and History of the Livesley Roberts Community 1840s-1940s Self Published, 1997.  WHC Collections 2006.040.0055

Primary Source Materials

Oral History with Taul Watanabe.  University of Washington, Special Collections, Oral History Collection.  Accession No. 1131-001; Digital ID Number OHC 0083.  Interview conducted 23 April 1969.  Listen online here.  Minutes: 44:02

We are continuing to research families in our area and will continue to add information and links to resources as they are uncovered.

In Gratitude:

Mike Nugent for putting together biographies of many families.