Oral History O
MARGARET HATSUKO OGATA
Margaret (87) is interviewed by sister-in-law Mary
Tsukamoto who contributed 11 pages of biography. There are 17 pages of
photos of 7 children, many grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The
62 pages of text consist of many reminiscences of not only the
interviewee but interviewer also. Margaret and family raised
strawberries in pre-war Florin; she did cooking for large labor crew
around Bakersfield and husband did several kinds of work around
Kalamazoo and St. Joseph, Michigan, her current residence. Social life
revolved around other Japanese neighbors and the Buddhist and Methodist
Churches in Florin.
KOKAN OSHIRO
Oshiro (87) born in Okinawa was interviewed in
Japanese. Due to age, language and involvement of several in the
interpreting, translating and editing, the oral history is short with 2
pages of photos and 41 pages of text. After working as migrant laborer
in Southern and Central California and couple of years in Jerome and
Gila River Relocation Centers, family resettled in Florin and raised
strawberries. Okinawans experienced discrimination from many and mention
is made of the "Okies" He is enjoying retirement with 5
children and 8 grandchildren.
TOM OSHIRO
Born in Japan, Mr. Oshiro, 90, and a resident of
Concord, CA, came to the U. S. at age 13. Thereafter, his varied life or
odyssey took him over many farming areas of California as well as
Kalamazoo, MI and Okinawa. With some language and educational
deficiencies, he mentions often being penniless. A long stretch of 32
years was in the employ of the Prost Family in San Francisco, where he
could "go all over on the city bus for 5 cents" His nomadic
experiences include domestic work, chauffeuring, and working in the
fields and orchards of Central California in the face of persistent
discrimination.
FRED OUYE
Fred (85) is one of seven pharmacists of the two Ouye
families of Sacramento. Born in Florin and after Lodi High School, he
attended UC College of Pharmacy. His older brother Harold and daughter
Carol (Hisatomi) were pharmacists. She later went into Law, but her
husband, Aki, is a pharmacist. Harold and Fred sold out to Harold's son
Loyd who runs the business at 10th and V Streets, Sacramento. As with
most Nikkei, Fred suffered considerable losses--Executive Order 9066
forced him to sell out his business in Lodi. In 1946,he again sustained
great loss at 4th & L Streets, Sacramento, due to Redevelopment in
1960. All members of the two Ouye families are college graduates and
professionals with most going into the pharmacy business despite
hardships of obtaining education during the Great Depression as well as
coping with various forms of discrimination.
KENNETH HISAO OZAWA
Through hard work, supportive parents and family, Dr.
Ozawa has become a respected member of the medical and larger Sacramento
community. Both he and his wife, Leatrice, worked their way through
college and higher professional education. He served in the Marine and
Navy Medical Services. She was head nurse at White Memorial Hospital in
Los Angeles. His philosophy was to cultivate self-respect as a Japanese
American and self worth coupled with quality (Adventist) education. A
positive effect of WW II (Topaz) Relocation experience was that it
spread out the Nikkei community demographically and vocationally. His
three daughters are also in the service professions: Carol and Dede are
nurses and Amiko is a teacher.
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