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