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Register of the Shiman Family Papers,
1859-1921
Mss31
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Table of contents
Title: Shiman Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1859-1921
Collection number: Mss31
Creator:
Reginald R. Stuart
Extent: 7 linear ft.
Repository:
University of the Pacific. Library. Holt-Atherton Department of
Special Collections
Stockton, CA 95211
Shelf location: For current information on the location of
these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language: English.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Shiman Family Papers, Mss31, Holt-Atherton
Department of Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
John L. Shiman and his wife Johanna J. Shiman came to California from
Germany in the mid-19th century. John Shiman settled at San Lorenzo, Alameda
county, where he operated a general merchandise store, and, in 1857, became
first postmaster. For about twelve years he was in partnership with Lewis
Lengfeld (1853-c1865) then remained in business for himself until his death in
1898.
During the 1870s Shiman purchased substantial tracts of agricultural
land east of San Lorenzo and north of San Lorenzo Creek where he grew cherries.
He was one of the first California growers to ship fruit east by refrigerator
railroad car.
By the 1880s Shiman apparently owned stores in San Leandro, Mt. Eden and
San Lorenzo. His Mt. Eden store stood on the north corner of present-day
Hesperian Boulevard and Jackson Street. Shiman's insurance accounts reveal that
he also owned a butcher shop and a cobbler shop, as well as residential
properties in Oakland and southern Alameda county. From the late 1880s, three
of his four sons, Louis G., William J. and Lorenzo also participated in the
operation of the various family businesses. The original Shiman Store in San
Lorenzo ceased operations after 1901.
Southern Alameda county seems first to have been a German enclave,
although by 1900 it was probably more widely known as a Portuguese colony. Many
of the important pioneers of southern Alameda county--especially those with
German and Portuguese surnames--did business with John L. Shiman. Biographies
of nine of these individuals, including Edward Clawiter, Justus Gading, J.H.
Gansberger, William Meek, Henry Meininger, George S. Meyer, Erik Ruus, and A.W.
Schafer, are to be found in various histories of Alameda county.
The Shiman Family Papers consist principally of the records of the San
Lorenzo store. These records occupy six journals (1860-1863, 1869-1890), eleven
day books (1859-1863, 1873-1885, 1888-1890), three cash books (1879-1896), an
inventory book (1888, 1891) and a purchase order book (1866-1880). There is
also a small collection of business correspondence (1870-1890), tax receipts
and miscellaneous licences.
A secondary collection within the papers consists of a scrapbook,
scattered correspondence and some domestic accounts (1872-1875) produced by
Mrs. Johanna Shiman. These materials are partly in German.
Arrangement
Series I: San Lorenzo Store Records
Series II: Shiman
Family Personal Papers