Looking Back: Syrian immigrant fought for American Dream, found it in Sioux Falls

Eric Renshaw
For the Argus Leader
Hamad Assam, a Syrian immigrant, built a grocery legacy in Sioux Falls.

Hamad Assam left his home in Syria in March of 1914. He’d heard from friends that America was the place to be, and that wealth would come to him easily. The stories were such that he nearly expected to be shoveling money from the streets upon arriving. The journey from Hamad’s home to Ellis Island took 61 days. When he left, it was understood that he’d need someone to sign for him when he arrived, and $25 just in case. The boat ride cost $45, which adjusts to over $1,100 in 2019 dollars. For this he got passage on a boat and meals which mostly consisted of beans and beef. His cousin signed for him when he arrived.

Hamad had experience in agriculture in Syria, which had little or no value in New York City. He found work peddling pictures on the streets until he felt he could no longer take the noise and congestion of the big city. He moved to Michigan City, Indiana and took a job at a steel mill. After two months, the mill closed.

After hearing from acquaintances that Sioux Falls had opportunities to offer, he made the journey here, arriving in September of 1914. Hamad found work on the railroad then, when winter arrived, as a dry goods salesman. This work was done on foot, and his territory stretched from Sinai, west of Brookings, to Yankton. He made deliveries to mostly rural homes, and relied on the hospitality of his customers, who not only gave him room and board, but helped him with his English. He was grateful for their help and guidance.

In two years’ time, he’d saved up enough to open a store. He bought a scale, an ice box, a small cash register, and two display cases. He opened Hamad Assam Grocery at 1000 E. 21st St. At first he kept his store open only long enough each day to pull in $20 in sales, which amounted to about $4 in profit. This was the point at which he started to see some of the fabled wealth he expected in the new world. He wasn’t quite shoveling money off the streets, but he made a comfortable living.

In 1922, Hamad returned to his home in Syria, where he married his childhood sweetheart, Halan Shinge. Trouble began when the newlyweds tried to return to the States. Immigration laws had changed in the eight years prior, and Halan could not obtain a visa. Hamad was not yet a citizen, so his new wife could not be granted access on the basis of their marriage. The two spent nearly a year trying to get back to the US before going to Cuba, where they hoped to find a way in. Hamad returned to South Dakota so that he could resume work. Halan stayed in Havana with friends until they could find a way to reunite. This proved to be continually difficult. Eventually Halan managed to sneak into the country illegally. The couple was reunited for a time, but in July, 1925, after the birth of their son, Moneer, she was deported. She then went to France and found a sympathetic agent who gave her a visa. In the fall of 1926, she was again deported. Hamad stayed in Sioux Falls, while Halan and their newborn daughter went to Havana.

Hamad did get his citizenship and the family was finally reunited. The Assam family reflected the promise of America in so many ways. An immigrant from a poor background was able to make his way from nothing to a position of respect and admiration in the community. Hamad was active in charitable groups and was a leader in the Muslim community. As sheikh of the Mohammedan Church in the area, he performed many necessary religious rites.

Hamad Assam died on December 7, 1956, after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his son, Moneer, who died in a transport plane after enlisting in the Army during World War II. He ran at least four grocery stores in Sioux Falls since 1916, all, in one way or another, named after him.