Joseph Shemanski
Values Codes I – E – L – P
Joseph Shemanski was born in Poland to Markus and Jeanette Szmanski in 1869.
Portland, Oregon
Joseph Shemanski came to Portland, Oregon, in 1888, at the age of 19.
To make a living, he sold clocks, rugs, lace curtains, and washtub ringers door-to-door.
Portland Oregon at the turn of the 20th century, Vintage Postcard.
Shemanski opened his first store on corner of Southwest Third Avenue and Taylor Street
In 1930, he built an eight story building on Southwest 10th Avenue to house his Eastern Department Store.
His Eastern Outfitting Store eventually had 53 stores along the West Coast.
Shemanski was the first to introduce installment buying on the West Coast.
Eastern Outfitters Store, Portland, OR
Eastern Outfitting Co of Portland, OR
Civic
Joseph Shemanski founded the hospitality committee of the Portland Chamber of Commerce.
He served on the board of the Waverly Baby Home.
He was also active in the Oregon Prisoner’s Aid Society.
In 1926, Shemanski donated the ‘Shemanski Fountain’ (Rebecca at the Well) in South Park, Portland.
Simanski Fountain, Portland, OR
Community
Joseph Shemanski served as President of Congregation Ahavat Sholom.
He later served on the Board President of Congregation Beth Israel, where a chapel is named in his honor.
He was also a supporter of the Portland Hebrew School, and was honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Temple Beth Israel, Portland, OR, vintage postcard
Joseph Shemanski died in 1951.
Sources:
- “Joseph Shemanski,” Oregon Jewish Life, January 2015.
Gladys Sturman is curator for this Joseph Shemanski exhibit.