Herman Frederick Wilhelm “William” Bueltmann, 1863–1913

Herman Frederick Wilhelm “William” Bueltmann was born 16 July 1863 in St. Louis, Missouri, the only son of Friedrich Wilhelm Bueltmann and Caroline Wilhelmina Gronemeyer. The family lived at 2615 St. Louis Avenue in a frame house adjoining the coal yard. William’s mother died from puerperal fever one month after giving birth. When William was three months old, his father married Johanna Caroline Wilhemina Pankoke.

From an early age, William worked at the coal and ice company founded by his immigrant father. The 1880 federal census lists William, then seventeen, as a coal dealer, but by 1900, he was a hardwood finisher, probably for a furniture store. On 14 November 1889, he married Emma Marsch (20 Jul 1868–10 March 1920), daughter of William C. Marsch and Fredericke Niekamp. William and Emma had seven children. After his marriage, William and his family lived at 4131 Grove Street in a house that he owned. William died on 7 January 1913 and is buried in St. John’s Cemetery, Bellefontaine Neighbors.

Children of William and Emma:

1. 1. Willie (8 September 1890–26 February 1893)
   2. Minnie (22 November 1891–20 June 1967) Minnie completed eighth grade. At the age of eighteen, she worked as a shirt maker in a factory, but in 1920, she was a clerk at the factory. Later she was a bookkeeper for a lemon extract manufacturer. She became head of the house at age twenty-nine, after both her parents died. Minnie never married. She was a hard worker, caring, loving and lots of fun. She lived with her siblings, Helen and Herbert, at 4666 Penrose Ave in St. Louis.
   3. Lydia Henrietta (25 June 1894–25 January 1959) At age fifteen, Lydia worked as a shirt maker in a factory. On 16 October 1913, she married John Henry Charles Schnefke. They had four children: Esther, Ruth, John “Jack,” and Robert “Bob.”
   4. Helen (4 November 1896–31 August 1954). Helen completed eighth grade. She never married. Helen worked as a seamstress in a factory in 1920, but later she was the principal homemaker for her siblings.
   5. Edwin (15 March 1899–27 August 1953). Edwin completed eighth grade. On 11 March 1926, Edwin married Lucille Meskel Severn. They had one child, Ruth Ann.
   6. William Frederick (4 July 1901–15 June 1971). Willie completed eighth grade. He worked for the telephone company as a repairman. On 9 November 1930, he married Rosemary Franklin. Willie and Rosemary did not have children.
   7. Herbert Albert (15 September 1910–8 March 1988). Herbert was baptized at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. He graduated from college with a Master’s degree. Herb worked as a manager for an undertaker’s supply company. He was best man at his cousin Rev. August John Bueltmann’s wedding in St. Louis on 25 June 1933. Herbert was a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. Herbert lived at 4666 Penrose Avenue with his two sisters and never married. After they died, he lived with his friend Al Loftus on Brookfield Drive.

Written by Faith Stern
June 2025

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