Haman (William) Collection, 1891-1942

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Summary

Title:
William Haman Collection
Dates:
1891-1942
Creators:
Haman, William
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.
Extent:
1 file folder, including 32 photographs
Language:
Languages represented in this collection: English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
The William Haman estate donated this collection in 2003.
Processing information:

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

Physical location:
Roseville Public Library
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Lola Aguilar
Date Prepared:
© 2008
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: March 2010. Machine-readable finding aid created by Lola Aguilar.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:
225 Taylor Street
Roseville, CA 95678, US
Contact:
(916) 774-5221
library@roseville.ca.us
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