Japanese American Descendants Attend Open House

In the Archives Collection of Mark Prairie Historical Society, a notable photograph of the 1926 – 27 class of students at the one-room Schoolhouse catches the eye. Standing amid the historic Aurora Colony and Mark Prairie names Gribble, Krause, and Giesy, were three children from the local Furumasu family. The photo names them as Bill, Toshiko, and Ichiko.

Other surnames in the class were Church, Connett, Fish, Goetz and Peters, along with three “unknowns” including the teacher.

Most initial Japanese immigrants to the United States came around the turn of the century, arriving before the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924. This photo depicted second generation American children of Japanese descent, known as Nisei, born to the Issei, or first-generation immigrants.

After some internet sleuthing, family members were located in the Portland area. Phone calls were made, and a long-ago friendship rekindled between the Furumasu family and a cousin of the Mark Family! Serendipity! All were surprised to discover the new connection through the Schoolhouse, and we were delighted to welcome Brian and Nancy Furumasu and his mother Amy to the Open House on May 14, 2025, revealing a new part of their family history!

Amy married Charles Furumasu, the youngest son of eight children in the family; most were too young to have attended the school in 1926. The children in the photo were Brian’s Great Aunts and Great Uncle.

Bill Furumasu heroically served in Europe during WWII with the highly decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team, as part of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, Service Battery. Below is a link to his service history. On Veteran’s Day 2026 we can rightfully honor the 100th year of Veteran Bill Furumasu’s connection to the Mark Prairie Schoolhouse and recognize his service.

Sources:

Soldier Story: William Tsutomu Furumasu at 442sd.org

Facing the Mountain, A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II By Daniel James Brown, 2021

Mark Prairie Historical Society Archives, Canby, Oregon