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Guide to the Harry E. Slonaker Papers 1989.140
1989.140  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Conditions Governing Access note
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition note
  • Preferred Citation note
  • Scope and Contents note
  • Conditions Governing Use note

  • Title: Harry E. Slonaker Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: 1989.140
    Contributing Institution: History San Jose Research Library
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 5.0 Cubic feet (4 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1930-1988
    Abstract: Papers contain both personal papers and administrative records. Personal papers include Slonaker family genealogical materials, correspondence, mementos, photo albums, and wedding anniversary keepsakes. Administrative records and other materials related to the Slonaker School in San Jose, Boys Brotherhood, HESA, Boys City and Sons in Retirement.
    Language of Materials note: The materials are in English.

    Biographical/Historical note

    Harry E. Slonaker was born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1903, and later became active in the Chicago Boys' Brotherhood Republic (BBR). The BBR attempted to teach boys leadership and responsibility through self-governance in recreational and civic activities. Slonaker was mayor of the BBR of northwest Chicago, and was asked by founder Jack Robbins to start a chapter in New York City. At the time, Slonaker had opened his own firm as a fur trade manufacturers' rep and was traveling back and forth to New York on a regular basis. In January 1932, the first meeting of the New York BBR took place at 282 East 3rd Street, with Slonaker as the first supervisor. He remained active in the New York BBR, headquartered at 290 East 3rd Street, until 1940, when George Ougourlian succeeded him as supervisor. Slonaker also traveled to California in 1937 to establish BBR branches in Modesto and Stockton.
    Around 1943, Slonaker and his wife came to California, where he worked as a beauty supplies representative, and his wife Besse worked at Avion in Los Angeles. By February 1944, they were settled in San Jose. Here he founded Boys City in 1944, modelled on the BBR, and remained as its director until his retirement in 1971. Slonaker was also active in other civic undertakings, especially those related to youth and the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Throughout his life, he stayed in touch with the BBR of New York and with its alumni, who formed the Harry E. Slonaker Association (HESA) in 1947.
    Slonaker married Chicago native Besse Nosanov (born 1906) in 1924 in Chicago. They did not have any children. Harry Slonaker passed away in San Jose in 1989.
    More information on Slonaker and the Boys' Brotherhood Republic can be found in the publications "Off the Straight and Narrow" (Caroline Colgate, 1937) and "East Side Story" (William Welling, 1982).

    Conditions Governing Access note

    The collection is open to the public for research by appointment.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition note

    The papers were donated to History San Jose by Besse Slonaker in March 1989.

    Preferred Citation note

    Harry E. Slonaker Papers 1989-140, History San Jose Research Library, San Jose, California 95112-2599.

    Scope and Contents note

    The papers are arranged in four boxes and include both personal papers and materials collected through Slonaker's professional involvement with the Boys Brotherhood and other youth organizations. Family and personal materials include genealogical records, personal mementos and clippings, speeches, photograph albums, wedding anniversary keepsakes and a retirement party guest book. Photograph albums detail Slonaker's awards, Slonaker School, retirement from Boys Club, portraits, and photographs of BBR camps. Topics of Slonaker's scrapbooks are Boys Brotherhood Republic clippings, the 25th anniversary of BBR, testimonial dinner in 1957.
    Professional materials relate to the dedication of the Slonaker School in San Jose; founding documents, records and newsletters from the Boys Brotherhood; BBR Alumni materials; Harry E. Slonaker Association newsletters and correspondence; Boys City of San Jose clippings, files and brochures; Sons in Retirement correspondence; and materials from Slonaker's involvement in the Entertainment Commission of San Jose and the Grand Jury Committee on Juvenile Delinquency.

    Conditions Governing Use note

    Property rights reside with History San Jose. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact History San Jose Research Library.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Slonaker, Harry E., 1909-1989
    Boys Brotherhood Republic of Chicago
    Boys City (San Jose, Calif.)
    Boys Societies and clubs
    Harry E. Slonaker Academy (San Jose, Calif.)
    photograph albums
    scrapbooks