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Mary and Samuel Takeo Himoto Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2009.009

Scope and Contents

The Mary and Samuel Takeo Himoto Papers include documents related to Mary and Sam’s wedding in 1959 and their ten year wedding anniversary. The collection contains information related to Mary and Sam’s deaths and funeral services in 1997 and then 2007, respectively. Also included are materials, lease documents, articles, photos and an illuminated sign related to Sam’s business – the Universal Pen Hospital. The Miscellaneous series contains articles related to the Japanese American community in the United States, portraits of their dog (1992) and, notably, drawings by well-known bonsai master, John Naka (1974).

Dates

  • 1959-2007

Biographical / Historical

Samuel Takeo Himoto (1925-2007) was born in Isleton, California. During World War II, he and his family were interned at Tule Lake Relocation Center in California. Upon their release, his family relocated to Rockford, Illinois where Samuel finished high school. He was then drafted into the United States Army Air Corps in 1945 and served in Bremerton, Germany until 1946. After he was honorably discharged from military service, Himoto returned to Chicago and obtained a job at Universal Pen Hospital, a business that had specialized in fountain pen repairs since 1923. He eventually became the owner of this business and continued to work steadily on pen repairs and engraving until his retirement in 2004. Samuel passed away on November 19, 2007.
Mary Suyama Himoto was born in Great Falls, Montana to Harry and Tami Suyama. Samuel and Mary married in 1959 and were active members of the Midwest Bonsai Society and avid Chicago Bears fans. Mary passed away on December 23, 1997.

Source: Himoto, Samuel Takeo

Extent

3 boxes

Language of Materials

English

General

Stack West Wall Cabinets 08 Shelf 04 (Box 10, 11)

Title
Mary and Samuel Takeo Himoto Papers
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the JASC Legacy Center Repository

Contact:
4427 N Clark St.
Chicago IL 60640 United States
1 (773) 275-0097