Section 8- Heinojo and Nobu (Watanabe) Sato Family

Black and white photographs of Heinojo and Nobu Sato. Beneath each name is listed the years alive. Heinojo Sato 1878-1943. And Nobu Sato from 1881-1933. The text on the image reads: Heinojo arrived in Box Elder County, 1912. Nobu (wife) arrived in 1913. They had 9 children. 3 were born in Japan, Daughter Hisaye (stayed in Japan), Fusae and Shigichi came to Box Elder County. Miyoko, Sam, Nobuichi, Suzuko, Yae, and Kuch were born in Box Elder County.

Family Tree

A family tree of Heinojo and Nobu (Watanabe) Sato's children.
The family tree of Heinojo Sato, listing both his children, his parents, and siblings.
The family tree of Nobu Watanabe, listing her children, parents, and siblings.

Documents

The manifest of passengers applying for admission listing Heinojo Sato on line 5. The date is August 31, 1907.
Heinojo Sato's documents: A drivers license from January 16, 1934. A selective service card from April 27, 1942. And an alien registration card from March 11, 1943.
Residential information of Heinojo and Nobu Sato. It charts an arrival in the US in Oregon in 1907 to work on the railroad. 1912 is when they farmed in Corinne. In 1924 they had an box address of 40 for Corinne, Utah. In 1940 they had a PO Box 286 in Brigham City, Utah
Heinojo Sato's draft registration card for World War 2.
Deaths Heinjo [sic] Sato Corinne, March 12--Heinjo [sic] Sato, 65, Corinne farmer, died Thursday at five pm at a Brigham City hospital. Mr. Sato was born May 25, 1857 in Japan, to Nobu Hei and Sato Kati Sato. He came to the US in 1907 with his family and made his home in Ogden where he worked for a railroad. He later moved to Corinne, where he operated a farm, then moved to Brigham City in 1929, and returned to Corinne in 1940. He married Nobu Watanabe in 1904, in Japan. Mrs. Sato died nine years ago. Surviving are the following sons and daughters: Mrs Susaye Shio, George T. Sato, Nobuichi Sato, Mrs. Suzuko Nagata, Waw Sato, and Kusuo Sato of Corinne. Shiguichi Sato, Brigham City, and Sam Sato, U.S. Army. Also eight grandchildren and a brother in Japan. Funeral Services will be conducted Monday at one PM in the Corinne LDS Ward Chapel. Friends may call at the family home west of Corinne Sunday evening and Monday until time of services. The body will be taken to Ogden for cremation.

Photos

A historical record for Heinojo Sato. The notes read: May 1878. Born in Okayama Ken. 1907: arrived in U.S. in Oregon; worked on railroad. Farmed in Corinne, Utah. 1912: Wife Nofu arrived from Japan. Rented 240 acres; raised sugarbeets, grain, alfalfa. Four sons: Shigeichi, Nobuichi, Isamu, and Kusuo. Four daughters: Fusae, Miyoko, Suzuko, and Yaeko. 1924: RFD Box 40 Corrine, Utah. Children in household in 1940: Nobuichi born June 4, 1915. Isamu Sam Nov 6, 1916. Suzuko June 6, 1918. Yaeko Nov 27, 1919. Kusuo July 27, 1922. 1940: Po Box 286, Brigham City, Utah.

Miyoko George T. Sato

Miyoko Sato (November 24, 1913-June 6, 2008 Parents: Heinojo and Nofu Watanabe Sato Husband: George Tokiichi Sato (March 15, 1902-December 21, 1993) Siblings: Hisae, Fusae, Shigeichi, Nobuichi, Isamu, Suzuko, Yae, Kusuo Children: Kimiko Joan Bohmann, Madge S. Winter, Paul K. Sato Grandchildren: Karin McCloskey, Aaron Sato, Christopher Winter, Justin Sato Great-Grandchildren: Kylie Levanidov, Nadia and Carys McCloskey, Hannah and Noah Sato, Macie, Aidan and Chandler Sato. Great-great-grandchildren: Kaelyn and Damien Sato, Alijah Paul Sato I was born in Corinne, UT (Box Elder County) on a farm in a two-room shack 1.5 miles north of Corinne Town. About 1917, we moved to the old Henry House 8 miles west of Corinne near the old Malad river. My father farmed about 60 acres on the east and west side of the river. He raised wheat, sugar beets, hay, and grain. Later on he tried to raise some tomatoes. We lived on this farm until I was approximately 12 when we moved a mile east to the David House place. It was a much nicer house and close to the old Appledale School we all attended. When I was in the seventh grade we were bused to the Corinne School. I started high school in 1928. We moved to Harper Ward when I was a junior in high school. I graduated high school in May of 1932 in the depths of the Depression. My mother died on December 27, 1933 following an extended illness. Life went on. I was the housekeeper, bookkeeper, and sort of jack-of-all-trades. I married Tokiichi Sato (later changed his name to George T. Sato) on January 16, 1936 in the Honeyville Japanese Hall. He had started a gardening business in Los Angeles, Ca. where we lived for 4 years. We relovated to Utah in March of 1942 due to the beginning of WWII. We were fortunate that my family in Corinne let u move in with them; otherwise, we would have been sent to an internment camp. We lived with my family for one year, then lived for a period of time in Bear River. We finally settled in Brigham City where we eventually bought a house. George T. established a gardening business, and we raised our three children. I supplemented the family income by cleaning houses and doctors' offices as well as making use of my skills as a seamstress. We had a large garden, and I raised and sold raspberries and strawberries. Crocheting and sewing were life-long passions. I always looked forward to visits from my children and grandchildren and tried to provide a nourishing environment for them.

Nob and Amy (Yagi) Sato

Studio portrait of Nobuichi and Amy (Yagi) Sato in 1944.
Nobuichi Sato Son of Heinojo Sato and Nobu Watanabe Sato Born/Death: June 4, 1915 - September 25, 1994 Wife: Amy Yagi Children: Betty Kazuko, Walter Nobuyuki, Donna Irene, Patricia Patsy, Michael Craig. Siblings: Hisae, Fusae, Miyoko, Suzuko, Yae, Shigeichi, Isamu and Kusuo. Amy and Nob operated a 60 acre farm in West Corinne. They grew tomatoes, sugar beets, onions, hay and grain. They also raised cattle, pigs, and chickens. When Betty, Walter, Donna, Pat and Mike were old enough (6-7 years old) like many farm families they worked in the fields. Nob and his family worked together and shared the work and the benefits. They had two large green houses where they grew tomato plants from seeds to transplant later in the spring. The tomato seeds were from the previous years crop and were selected from the best producing plant. Planting the tomato plants was a joint effort with Aunts, Uncles and cousins working to pull the plants and manning the planter. The weeks of weeding and irrigating was followed by harvesting. The main harvest was done by migrant workers. The tomatoes were sent to the local canneries for processing. The family picked tomatoes for the local fruit stands and provided my mom with her pin money. When the local canneries closed, my dad stopped growing tomatoes. Sugar beets was a crop for the farm since my grandfather started sharecropping in 1912. The beets were thinned with short-handled hoes and for many years manually harvested, dug by horse hand topped and hand loaded onto trucks. By the time Walter was old enough, they had tractor drawn machines to top and load the beets. This continued into the late 1970s when the guar company closed. Nob could fix anything, once he built the steel bed on a farm truck and rebuilt a engine on a tractor. One time my dad and Uncle Kuch replaced a ring gear on a truck during beet harvest at night so they could have the truck ready for the next day. He did all the maintenance on his equipment. He and my uncles enjoyed gambling with many all night poker games and trips to Nevada. He said farming was a big gamble. One family event was the annual mochitsuki, this occurred near the New Year. Sweet rice was steamed and pounded by hand and then rolled in small cakes. The steaming over an open fire and manual pounding was a task for the uncles and older male cousins. The handling of the hot rice was done by the aunts and younger cousins. This was done in a potato cellar. The event was full of laughter and good food. Walter Sato: Some things I remember growing up: The hard work that was shared by the family. Everyone willing to help each other with planting and harvesting. Growing up with many cousins. Learning to drive at a very early age. My folks supporting us in school, sports, parties at the house, church.
Amy Yagi Sato Daughter of Goehi and Hana Ishida Yagi Born/death: March 20, 1923-February 25, 2022 Husband: Nobuichi Sato Children: Betty Kazuko, Walter Nobuyuki, Donna Irene, Patricia Patsy, and Michael Craig. Siblings: Grace, George, Ken, Ben, John and Tom Nob and I operated a 60 acre farm in West Corinne, we worked side by side to make the operation a success. I drove trucks during beet and tomato harvest, sorted onions, and cooked and delivered meals to the workers in the field. Betty, Walter, Donna, Patsy and Mike worked along with me when we planted tomatoes, hoeing beets and onions and pickling tomatoes in the Fall for Fruit Stands and other customers. I had high expectations for my children when helping on the farm and in school. As a result Betty, Walter, Donna, Patys and Mike all graduated from College. I never spoke too often about the Relocation Camp with my children, it was something I wanted to forget about. I was close to my family but after Camp, everyone moved to California, so Christmas time a great time to visit them. Many friends and relative considered me a skilled seamstress and a great cook, I would cook meals using produce from the extensive garden we tended and the chicken, pork, and beef raised in the farm. I had a passion for making quilts. I made quilts for all my grandkids and other family members. I enjoyed helping make quilts with the ladies at the Honeyville Church. I also crocheted kitchen scrubbers which I gave away at family events like the annual Sato/Nagata Reunion. In 2010, I bought a house in Las Vegas and spent the winter months there until travel became difficult for me around 2020. I liked Las Vegas not only for the casinos but the weather was warm in the winter. I read, and watched the NBA on television and enjoyed the many visits from family members. I would migrate back to Utah when the weather was warmer and my daughter Donna was my personal chauffer and companion making sure I met all my various appointments, Church Services, family events, and also trips back to Las Vegas. I am proud and grateful for all my children and grandchildren for helping me all these years since the passing of Nobuichi.

Sam Sato

Kazue and Sam Sato sitting in the fridge with their children Sharon and Gordon at a table. Gordon is in the lap of Sam.
Isamu (Sam) Sato November 7, 1917-October 23, 2009 Son of Nobu (Nofu) Watanabe and Heinojo Sato Siblings: Hisaye, Fusae, Shigeichi, Miyoko, Nobuichi, Suzuko, Yae and Kusuo (Kuch) Sato Married: Kazue Otsuki Children: Sharon & Gordon Grandchildren: Allison Sato, Jonathan Sato, Charles Elliot Bickley Great Grandchildren: Summer, Samantha, Charlotte, and Natalie Memories: I was born in the old Tawatari house, southwest of the Corinne. I was educated in Box Elder County, graduating from Box Elder High School. I was a member of the Garland Utah National Guard and rose to the rank of Sargent. During WWII, I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. I met my wife Kay through Kay's sister and brother-in-law who hosted Nisei soldiers for casual gatherings. Kay and I were married in April 1945, and we moved to Utah to work on the Sato Family Farm. We lived there for two years and on July 23, 1947, our first child, Sharon was born. Shortly thereafter we decided to move to South Texas where Kay's family lived and I started my life long passion of farming. In 1950 our son Gordon was born. In the small south Texas town, Los Fresnos, where I farmed, everyone knew me and appreciated my sense of humor and wit. I was especially proud of my service on the board of the local water district. I was an avid bowler playing in numerous leagues and tournaments. We raised cotton and grain along with a small herd of cattle. I remained active into my 80s, often staying out in the cotton fields checking for insects and the state of the crops. We occasionally grew vegetables and watermelons. I often gave away watermelons to friends that use to gather at the local cafe. We were members of the First United Methodist Church of Los Fresnos. Gordon is a CPA and retired as the Regional Inspector General of the Dallas Region of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. Sharon was a beloved kindergarten teacher in Los Fresnos. Gordon and Kathy have two children, Allison and Jonathan, and four granddaughters. Sharon had a son, Elliot.

Suzuko (Sato) and Sam Nagata

Kusuo (Kuch) Sato Son of Nobu (Watanabe) and Heinojo Sato July 27, 1922-July 22, 2014 Mable Nagata Sato Daughter of Tome Nagata (Taura) and Fusataro "Frank" Nagata Married: January 27, 1947 Children: Cheryl, Nanci, Vicki, Jolene and Wendy. Grandchildren: Chad, Troy, Brandon, Jeremy, Shane, Jason, Phillip, Michael, Stephan, Laura Jo, Andrew and Adam Great Grandchildren: 18 Great Great Grandchildren: 15 Kusuo Siblings: Hisaye Tsuboi, Fusae, Shigeichi, Miyoko, Nobuichi, Isamu, Suzuko, and Yae. Mable Siblings: Sia, Sam, George, Shigeo, Mary, Chiyono and Roy Nagata. Stepbrothers: Yosh and Akie Taura, Note: Fusatora "Frank" Nagata passed in 1932. Tome Nagata married Jutaro Taura in 1933. Family Life: Mom and dad got married on January 27, 1947. Dad served in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) as translators and interpreters from 1941 to 1945. The MIS was kept a secret due to high sensitivity and information was released due to the Freedom of Information Act of 1971. Through congressional legislation, the veterans of the MIS/Military Intelligence Service received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011, our nation's highest honor for their distinguished service during World War II. Kuch and Mable farmed for several years, and Cheryl, Nanci and Vicki worked side by side with their parents. Farming is very labor intense, from preparing the field and planting the crops. Planting tomatoes was a family affair, a 4 seat tomato planting machine. Soon after, here came the weeds and the hoeing started. At times the girls would help Kuch irrigate. Harvesting season, everyone was involved, one of the last crops to get in were Sugar Beets, we started early in the morning until late in the evening. Eventually Kuch got a job with the Bear River Valley Co-op managing the fertilizer division. In 1977, he joined 3 other partners, Dick Hirabayashi, Jerry Hartley and Brent Bodily, where they founded the Utah Onion in Syracuse and Corinne Utah. Kuch managed the Utah Onion in Corrine and the business was very successful, many farmers throughout Box Elder County contracted with Utah Onion until his retirement in 2000. Mom got a job at Brigham Apparel and later at Baron woolen Mills where she retired in the Fall of 1988. Stinky Springs (Mineral Hot Springs) was a very popular, many relatives and friends would stop by and visit when going out there. Home made ice cream was a real treat, but a lot of manual cranking until the cream was frozen. Every year our family would get together and make mochi and hand/home made chow mein noodles with a old crank noodle machine. We are fortunate to live close to most of our children. We try to get together for all Holidays and Birthdays. In or spare time we like to travel with our kids, grandkids, friends and relatives. Kuch has taken up golfing and enjoying it very much. Almost everyone in the family golfs, so he gets out a lot. Mom drives his cart from shade to shade. Kuch also loves to fish but in later years, he must be really careful, the legs don't work like they used to. We are enjoying retirement.

Kusuo and Mable (Nagata) Sato

Kusuo and
Kusuo (Kuch) Sato Son of Nobu (Watanabe) and Heinojo Sato July 27, 1922-July 22, 2014 Mable Nagata Sato Daughter of Tome Nagata (Taura) and Fusataro "Frank" Nagata Married: January 27, 1947 Children: Cheryl, Nanci, Vickie, Jolene and Wendy Grandchildren: Chad, Troy, Brandon, Jeremy, Shane, Jason, Phillip, Michael, Stephan, Laura Jo, Andrew and Adam Great Grandchildren: 18 Great Great Grandchildren: 15 Kusho Siblings: Hisaye, Tsuboi, Fusae, Shigeichi, Miyoko, Nobuichi, Isamu, Suzuko and Yae Mable siblings: Sia, Sam, George, Shigeo, Mary Chiyono and Roy Nagata. Stepbrothers: Yosh and Akie Taura. Note: Fusatora "Frank" Nagata passed in 1932. Tome Nagata married Jutaro Taura in 1933. Family Life: Mom and Dad got married n January 27, 1947. Dad served in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) as Translators and interpreters from 1941 to 1945. The MIS was kept a secret due to high sensitivity and information was released due to the freedom of information act of 1971. Through congressional legislation the veterans of the MIS/Military Intelligence Service received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2011.

Yae (Sato) and Ichi Nisogi

For more about this family, see: Section 3- Ichimatsu and Yae (Sato) Nisogi Family History

Fusae (Sato) and Sataro Shiotani

Fusae (Sato) Shiotani Fusae is Daughter of Nobu (Nofu) Watanabe and Heinojo Sato Born: March 1, 1906-February 6, 1990 Siblings: Shigeichi, Hisae, Tsuboi, Miyoko, Nobuichi, Isamu, Suzuko, Yae and Kusuo Sato Married: Sataro Shiotani (May 1878-February 1985). Parents: Yasu Hirai and Yasutaro Shiotani Children: Haruwa, Kazuo/Edna Masuda, and Itsuo/Yuriko Endo Grandchildren: Scott, Kip, Landon, Steve, Hitsohi, Keiko, and Maya Grandchildren: 1 Memories: I was born on March 1, 1906, Okayama-Ken, Japan to Heinojo Sato and Nobu Watanabe. My father Heinojo Sato immigrated to America in 1907 , alone to farm with his father. In 1913 my mother Nofu went to America, leaving me and my brother Shigeichi with relatives in Japan. In 1920, I went to America and joined my parents and family in Corinne, Utah and in 1921 my brother Shigeichi came to America. My mother died in 1933 due to cancer, leaving my father to care for the family. My father was a gourmet cook, taught Japanese Dancing to girls in BOx Elder County and beyond. He was active in Kabuki Theater, with a group known as the Gorakuza, 1920 to 1928. I married Sataro Shiotani, February 2, 1932 in Salt Lake City. We farmed about 250 acres with Sataro's father Yasutaro and brother Masao, raising grain, alfalfa, sugar beats, tomatoes, potatoes, and celery but eventually everyone went on their own. We farmed about 100 acres, raising the same crops. Part of our property housed the Corinne Buddhist Church. Lots of memories about the Church, not only Church services but Bazaars, Hanamatsuri, Obon, weddings, funerals, etc. We even had the corinne Judo Dojo, established by Ichimatsu Nisogi, Takeo Yamasaki, and Kusuo Sato. The farming work was very hard, but we had our fun times at Church Picnics and Fishing and Camping Trips to Logan Canyon with Sato, Nagata, Nisogi and many other friends and families. In Japan as a young girl, I learned to play the Koto, a harp, and also taught to sew. When I came to the farm in Corinne, Utah, I had to learn how to drive horses, milk a cow, spring tilling, spreading manure etc. It was hard. but I learned to love it here. Our joy are out sons Haruwa, Kazuo/Edna, and Itsuo/Yuri and families. Haruwa and Kazou worked in the Art Graphics profession and Itsuo worked for Boeing. Note: About Sataro's brothers, Masao (Michiko Mori) who ventured into fruit farming and operated the Shiotani fruit stand on the south end of Brigham. Children: Yasuo (Nora), Michio (Kazuuko Hori), Masako (Roy) Kubosumi, The youngest brother Kumasaburo, was very educated, speaking Japanese, English and Spanish fluently. He was a engineer and built the first expansion bridge over the bear river on the east end of Corinne. He also helped build the highway between Corinne and Brigham. Kumasaburo died at a early age, due to typhoid fever. They had a baby sister 2-3 yrs old that died scarlet fever.

Shigeicho and Aiko (Tokita) Sato