The Yonemoto family had good friends in Sunnyvale during the internment period, including William A. Zappettini, Sr. and Leo H. Vishoot. Through their friendship and work, the family had a home and a business to return to. There were other friends who helped when they could. Many wrote letters of support and friendship to the government authorities.
William A. Zappettini, Sr.
William A. Zappettini, Sr., an immigrant from Genoa, was the main reason Fred Yonemoto and some other nurserymen from the Santa Clara Valley had a business and home waiting for them when they returned in 1945. According to Fred's account book, the nursery, consisting of 15 acres and a house, were leased to Bill Zappettini during the internment for $200 a month starting on May 1, 1942. The house and lot at 211 West California Street, adjacent to the nursery, were leased to the Foremans for $50 a month. Mr. Zappettini maintained and ran the nursery and sold the flowers. Fred said the agreement stipulated that the family could return to the nursery with 90 days notice, That clause was honored, and the Yonemoto family returned in late September or early October 1945 to a business which would provide immediate income. Fred said that other flower growers were not as lucky. Their agreements stipulated that they could return at the "end of the war". There were arguments about when the war ended - when fighting ended or when the peace treaty was signed
After the war, Yonemoto Nursery continued to use the Zappettini Company as its wholesaler, taking its flowers to markets in San Francisco and beyond.
Fred's younger brothers wanted to cut out the middle man and become wholesalers as well as growers. Fred, remembering Bill Zappettini's actions during the war, resisted the change.
After the war, Yonemoto Nursery continued to use the Zappettini Company as its wholesaler, taking its flowers to markets in San Francisco and beyond.
Fred's younger brothers wanted to cut out the middle man and become wholesalers as well as growers. Fred, remembering Bill Zappettini's actions during the war, resisted the change.
Leo H. Vishoot
Leo H. Vishoot, who immigrated from Romania in 1887 as a child of 4, was the person Fred turned to for help. Mr. Vishoot acted as a friend and property manager for the Yonemoto family. Fred and Leo corresponded about getting 2 cars and an International truck out of storage and driving the vehicles to Heart Mountain, about the foreman's wife wanting the kitchen painted, and other matters. He wrote letters of support when Fred's father was arrested by the FBI. I believe Mr. Vishoot was paid $2.50 a month for his work.
Mr. Vishoot was listed in various City directories, as the proprietor of the Sunnyvale Hardware Company, a Director of the Sunnyvale Bank, and the postmaster of Sunnyvale. At the time of World War II he owned a real estate and insurance company at 219 Murphy Avenue. And he and Fred were both members of the Sunnyvale Rotary Club. Fred was proud to be a Rotarian and was forever grateful to the organization for its support during this difficult period.
Mr. Vishoot was listed in various City directories, as the proprietor of the Sunnyvale Hardware Company, a Director of the Sunnyvale Bank, and the postmaster of Sunnyvale. At the time of World War II he owned a real estate and insurance company at 219 Murphy Avenue. And he and Fred were both members of the Sunnyvale Rotary Club. Fred was proud to be a Rotarian and was forever grateful to the organization for its support during this difficult period.