Inventory of the William Haman Collection

Processed by Lola Aguilar
Roseville Public Library History Collection
225 Taylor Street
Roseville, CA 95678
Phone: 916-746-1232
FAX: 916-773-5594
Email: HistoryCollection.Library@roseville.ca.us
URL: http://www.roseville.ca.us/library/history_collection.asp
© 2008
Roseville Public Library History Collection. All rights reserved.


Title: William Haman Collection
Date: 1891-1942
Collection number: P 118
Collector: Haman, William
Extent: 1 file folder, including 32 photographs
Repository: Roseville Public Library History Collection
Roseville, California
Abstract: William Haman arrived in California in the mid 1890s to work for Leland Stanford's Vina vineyards and winery near Los Molinos in Tehama County. The owner of the newly-built Placer County Winery in Roseville enticed Haman to work for him by offering him the job of superintendent and winemaker in 1906. The William Haman Collection is arranged in one series: 1. Photographic Material. Items span the years 1891-1942.
Physical location: Roseville Public Library
Languages: Languages represented in this collection: English

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

For permission to reproduce or publish, please consult Roseville Public Library History Collection staff. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the Roseville Public Library History Collection, Roseville, as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement that may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the Roseville Public Library History Collection.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], William Haman Collection, P 118: [box: folder number], Roseville Public Library, History Collection, Roseville, California.

Acquisition Information

The William Haman estate donated this collection in 2003.

Processing History

Lola Aguilar processed this collection and created its finding aid in 2008.

Biographical History

William Haman arrived in California in the mid 1890s to work for Leland Stanford's Vina vineyards and winery near Los Molinos in Tehama County. In 1906 the owner of the newly-built Placer County Winery in Roseville enticed Haman to work for him by offering him the job of superintendent and winemaker producing medicinal brandy.
William was born in Avondale, New Jersey on February 7, 1871 to Michael and Catherine Haman. He had two sisters, Eva and Mary, and one brother George. After moving to Sacramento he met his future wife Susie, born in 1874, whom he married in 1900. In 1904 their son Claude was born. Haman served as a member of Roseville's first City Council and ran for and won the office of County Supervisor for District 1 in 1909. The same year he built a new two-story home on the corner of Oak St. and Taylor St. In 1913 his wife Susie died, leaving the widower to raise his son alone. Later he bought the Placer County Winery and began buying surrounding lots.
As president of the Royer Park League, Haman headed the drive to purchase Thomas Francis Royer's seventeen acres along Dry Creek for a city park. By April 1917 the city acquired the land for 3,000 dollars, well under market value. The city named the new park, Royer Park in honor of Tom Royer and his generosity.
With the prospect of prohibition looming, Haman closed the winery in 1918 and revamped the buildings to open the Roseville Ice and Beverage Company. His business partners included Al Wolf, M. J. Royer, and G. W. Lohse. As business declined with the advent of refrigeration, Haman and his partners sold the ice house. Haman then worked as the manager of the Southern Pacific stock corrals, bought property in Roseville, and continued to serve as County Supervisor. On December 20, 1924, Haman married Susan Alice Peter. Alice was born on March 28, 1871 in Salinas, Monterey, California to Jesse and Sarah A. Peter, early pioneers who settled in Sonoma Co. She taught school in Sacramento until her marriage to William.
By January 1931, Haman's failing heath forced him to retire from his position as County Supervisor. In March of that same year he suffered from a heart attack on his way to visit with Governor James Rolph at the Capitol. He survived but never fully recovered. William Haman died on April 2, 1935 in the Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco, with his wife Alice at his bedside. His unexpected death at the age of sixty-four shocked the Roseville community. His long career in local and county politics brought praise from the city council, which passed a resolution expressing sympathy over his death. His friend and colleague Senator J. L. Seawell served as one of his pallbearers.
Claude died during WW II, survived by his wife Nina and daughter Janet. Alice continued her involvement in civic affairs, residing at her Oak St. home until her death on May 19, 1968. The Roseville Community Projects leased the Haman House in 1969 for use as the Roseville Arts and Historical Center, and bought the property in 1976. The National Register of Historic Places listed the house in 1976. Roseville Arts sold the Haman House to private investors in 2003.

Scope and Content

The William Haman Collection is arranged chronologically in one series: 1. Photographic Material. Items span the years 1891-1942. Photographs include those of Haman and family members from four generations.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Haman, Claude W.
Haman, Susan Alice
Haman, William
Roseville (Calif.)--History


Box 1 : 001

Series 1.  Photographic Material 1891-1942

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains thirty-two photographs, including William Haman and his parents, Claude and Catherine, Alice Haman and her parents, Jesse and Sarah Peter, and William's son Claude and granddaughter Janet.