Karl Heinrich Wilhelm “Charles” Bueltmann, 1869–1935

Karl Heinrich Wilhelm Bueltmann was born 25 August 1869 in St. Louis to Friedrich Wilhelm Bueltmann and his second wife, Johanna “Anna” Caroline Wilhelmina Pankoker, one of their two children who survived childhood. Four of Charles’s siblings died young. In 1880, Charles was attending school. No record has been found to show when he started working, but in 1900, Charles worked as a teamster in the coal and ice business his father had founded. He and his younger brother August lived with their widowed mother at 2615 St. Louis Avenue. In a 1903 business directory, Charles is listed as a driver living with his mother at 1425 Clinton Avenue. In the 1910 census, he is again listed as a teamster in the coal and ice business.

On 20 October 1910, Charles married Frances Anna Rebmann (19 September 1885–1 January 1962) in St. Louis. Frances was the daughter of George Rebmann (1856–1931) and Bertha Petschke (1854-–1935). Frances did not complete school past fourth grade and worked as a laundress in a hospital.

In 1920, Charles worked as a steelworker for the steam railroad. Charles, his wife, and their three children lived with his mother and nephew in his mother’s home at 2615 St Louis Avenue. In 1930, Charles owned a home at 2526 Elliott Avenue in St. Louis, and his Rebman in-laws lived with him and his family. He worked as a caretaker of a cemetery. Charles died on 28 July 1935 from a cerebral hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis, with a contributing factor being chronic alcoholism. Charles and Frances had three children:

1. 1. Evelyn Johanna (1 October 1911–November 1989). Before her marriage, Evelyn worked as a cashier in a factory. On 20 August 1932, in St. Louis, she married Charles Alfred “Al” Massman (2 September 1911–30 January 1988). Evelyn was a member of the St. Louis Genealogical Society. Evelyn and Anna Marie Wise Bueltmann spent years researching the Bueltmann family, traveling to Washington, D.C., and to Germany for information. Evelyn and Al had three children: Amelia, Marilyn, and Jeanne.
   2. Charles Gustave (27 December 1913-12 December 1999). In 1938, Charles married Analese Ella Seymour (2 July 1916–12 November 1974), but this marriage ended. On 4 August 1962, he married Eunice Kathryn Cage (23 October 1922–18 February 1999). Charles and Analese had two children: Donald and Dennis.
   3. Eleanor Frances (6 April–1919-June 1996). Eleanor completed one year of high school and then became a machine worker in a dress factory. She married George W. Murphy (7 May 1914–January 1988). In 1950, Eleanor was a seamstress in a dress factory and George was a bottled soda distributor. They had two children: Mary Jaqueline and John.

Written by Faith Stern
June 2025

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