About George Shima
George Shima was the first Japanese American millionaire; at his pried, his bunnies produced about 85% potato of California, which gave him the title of the potato king. He was born in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan, and studied an introductory course at National University in Kunitachi, Japan. He emigrated to San Francisco in 1889 and changed his name from Ushijima Kinji. He worked as a domestic servant and became a farm laborer in Sacramento Delta. Afterward, he becomes a management class that provides Japanese farm labor for the local white farmers.
In 1890, he started his own farming business and bought some cheap swampland in San Joaquin Delta, which American farmers considered lousy farming land. But he discovers a new farming agricultural technology and management skill, which brings considerable success. Soon after corner and monopoly of the potato market, 1920, his brand "Shima Fancy" owns 85% of the market and is worth over $18 million, which is about $243,478,405 today.
The Life of George Shima
In 1864 Kinji Ushijima was born in Kurume, Japan. In 1889 he changed his name to George Shima when he came to the United States to study English. After working on farms in San Joaquin County for over a decade Shima began a large agricultural endeavor that involved constructing dikes and levees in the flooded marshes of the delta creating the perfect land for growing potatoes. With his newly established potato empire Shima became the first Japanese-American millionaire.
Shima Fancy Potato Workforce
The San Joaquin Delta became a popular destination for Asian immigrants with Stockton having a significant Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese population. These groups made communities in Stockton such as 'Little Manila'. Shima’s workforce included immigrants from Japan, China, and Europe, as well as American laborers. His Japanese workers were paid annual wages with common laborers making $250 and foremen making $350 annually, however on prosperous years workers received a bonus.In the 1920's alien land laws were put into place in California to limit immigration from Asia. These laws resulted in much of Shima's workforce leaving the U.S. and Shima being forced to sell his land ending his potato empire.
His disappointments to face discrimination
George Shima started his career in America during the turn of the 19th century. Discrimination and biases toward race are pervasive and regular in that time of society.
When Shima decided to try and expand into Central Oregon, many local farmers feared that the Asian farm workers, laborers, and immigrants would take over the job opportunity from white workers, farmers, and laborers. White farmers were protesting and bringing a movement that wanted to ensure the employment of white labor in the "Shima Fancy" enterprise. Despite the discrimination against his Asian workers, Shima and his partners managed to Co-acquire about 17,000 farming lands in Central Oregon.
As the discrimination kept growing against "Yellow" labor Shima was forced to put out a statement that he hands no intentions to plan a Japanese colony in Central Oregon. Yet, it was unsuccessful in stopping the white farmers' aggression. Shima was forced to liquidated most of his holdings in Central Oregon by 1922.
Despite being a prefect represntation of the American dream, Shima was constantly antagonized He is the first Japanese American who achieved the American dream. But he still has to face racism. On March 27, 1926, he passed away because of a stroke on a business trip to Los Angeles.
