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Guide to the Joseph Mannasse Papers MS 30
MS 30  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical / Historical Notes
  • Scope and Content
  • Arrangement
  • Preferred Citation
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Processing Information

  • Title: Joseph Mannasse Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: MS 30
    Contributing Institution: San Diego History Center Document Collection
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
    Date (inclusive): 1854-1897
    Abstract: This collection contains business papers and some personal papers of Joseph S. Mannasse, a Jewish immigrant and businessman who operated as a merchant and ran a general store in Old Town San Diego beginning in the 1850s.
    Language of Materials: English; Spanish; German.
    creator: Mannasse, Joseph S.

    Biographical / Historical Notes

    Joseph Samuel Mannasse (1831-1897) was a Jewish immigrant born in Filehne, Prussia. He was the son of Samuel and Lona Mannasse and was the oldest of seven children. At the age of nineteen he left Prussia for America. He arrived in New York in 1850 and three years later he made the trip out west to San Diego. He began his career in San Diego as a merchant and opened a dry goods store in Old Town. In 1856 he joined with Marcus Schiller to open a general store. This partnership lasted until 1888 and operated under the name of J.S. Mannasse and Company.
    In 1860 J.S. Mannasse got involved in real estate speculation. That same year he bought Rancho Los Encinitas and Rancho San Dieguito, upon which he raised cattle. Between Mannasse and Schiller the two owned more than 6,000 acres of land. Mannasse was active in civic activities and was appointed County Clerk from 1862-1864. In 1867 he was elected to the City Council and also served as a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1868.
    Schiller’s sister, Hannah, married Joseph’s brother, Hyman Mannasse. They were eventually divorced and after the divorce Hannah married Joseph Mannasse. They had one daughter, Celita Mannasse. Joseph Samuel Mannasse died on December 26, 1897 at age sixty-six.

    Scope and Content

    This collection contains business papers and some personal papers of Joseph S. Mannasse, a Jewish immigrant and businessman who operated as a merchant and ran a general store in Old Town San Diego beginning in the 1850s. Business papers include correspondence, legal papers, petitions, bills of sale, deeds, and promissory notes. Also included are papers from Joseph’s brother, Moses, and a copy of the divorce decree for Hannah Schiller.

    Arrangement

    This collection is arranged into two series, with materials arranged chronologically within each subject folder:
    Series I: Business Papers;
    Series II: Personal Papers.

    Preferred Citation

    Joseph Mannasse Papers, MS 30, San Diego History Center Document Archives, San Diego, CA.

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open for research.

    Conditions Governing Use

    The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

    Processing Information

    Collection processed by Andrew Wolfson on January 18, 2008 and Samantha Mills on February 22, 2017.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    J.S. Mannasse and Company.
    Mannasse and Schiller.
    Mannasse, Moses
    Schiller, Hannah
    Schiller, Marcus
    General stores
    Merchandising
    Old Town (San Diego, Calif.)