Individual Details

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1900
Anton Gartman; Lizzy (13), Joe (10), Annie (11), Robert (9), Max (7)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1901
Anton Gartman; Lizzie (15), Robert (8), Max (6), Joseph (10), Annie (11)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1902
Anton Gartman; Lizzie (16), Josie (11), Robert (9), Max (7)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1903
Anton Gartmann; Lizzie (17), Josie (13), Robert (10), Max (8), Augusta (5)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1904
Anton Gartmann; Lizzie (18), Josie (14), Robert (11), Max (9), Augusta (6)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1905
A. Gartman; Anna (15), Joe (13), Robert (12), Max (10), Augusta (7)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1906
A. Gartmann; Anna (16), Joseph (14), Robert (13), Max (11), Augusta (8), Margaret (5)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1907
A. Gartman; Anna (17), Joe (15), Robert (14), Max (12), Augusta (9), Margaret (5)

School Census, District No. 5, Town of St. Joseph, Year 1908
A. Gartman; Anna (16), Joe (18), Robert (15), Max (13), Augusta (10), Margaret (6), Teresa (4)



HSO, 10Aug1939, p8
Post-Nuptial Party is Given Newlyweds
To have seen the expression of amazement on the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gartmann, on Friday evening, as they came sauntering toward their home and viewed the approach of about twenty cars drawing up to a standstill at their home, was worth the hearty cheer it brought forth. After greeting their guests, midst hearty congratulations, the jolly crowd entered the house, deposited their baskets and took possession of the evening.
Robert Gartmann and Thelma Lorraine Stayberg were quietly married in Hudson on June 26th, 1939, and after a short trip came home and took possession of their home-to-be on the Mrs. A. Gartmann farm, on Stillwater Road.
The assembled friends all entered into the spirit of the occasion and the result was an unusually pleasant evening. After the termination of a mock "hitch-up ceremony", which drew forth gales of mirth, the gay throng repaired to the spacious dining room, where Mrs. J.H. Jenson, the bride's aunt, and helpers set out a most delicious buffet luncheon to the sixty guests present.
N.J. Jenson, at the request of the evening's hostess, Mrs. J.H. Jenson, gave the presentation speech and delivered to the newlyweds, the lovely gifts of the assembled friends.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gartmann are Hudson young folks, born and grown to maturity here, and they have the respect of all who know them. Mr. Gartmann has followed farming as his work, while Mrs. Gartmann's profession was teaching, and she has taught in this community five years, and two years in Alabama, where she made her home with her sister, Mrs. C. P. Erickson, while she taught in Mobile.
Congratulations and best wishes of their friends and relatives follow this young couple in their journey through life.

HSO, 18Apr1940, p5, c1
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gartmann on Monday, April 15.

HSO, 30May1940, p7, c3
The East Side Birthday Club gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gartmann on Monday evening in honor of Mrs. Gartmann's birthday. As this gathering was a combined shower and birthday club meeting, the members' husbands were also at the affair. Three of Mrs. Gartmann's aunts, Mesdames N. J. Jenson, J. H. Jenson and Joe Staberg were the evening's hostesses. N. J. Jenson, as toast master, presented the birthday gift to Mrs. Gartmann, and a beautiful high chair to little Nancy Lorraine.

HSO, 30May1940, p7, c4
Mrs. Robert Gartmann and daughter, Nancy Lorraine, with Mrs. J. A. Stayberg spend Wednesday with their friend and former Hudson neighbor, Mrs. G. P. Hughes, the occassion being Mrs. Hughes birthday.

BIOGRAPHICAL:
Rob dairy farmed all of his adult life in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. He
was 15 when his father died in 1908 and he assumed many of the farm
responsibilities for his mother for the next 30 years.
Rob was born September 11, 1893, the fourth child and third son of Anton
Gartmann and Anna Friend, rural St. Joseph township settlers and farmers. An
older sister, Louise, was the daughter of Anton and his first wife, Louise
Heinni, who died following Louise's birth in 1886.
Logging was still very much in evidence along the St.Croix when he was a
boy and years later he would recall for his children stories of logging and huge log jams, of learning to swim by jumping from the log rafts, of farming
entirely with horses, of crisp winter cutter rides, of cutting and hauling ice for the large ice house, of helping to build, by then well weathered, barn and grainery, and he would show them arrow heads that he had found.
He knew the best spots to pick any kind of wild berry and on a springtime
walk could lead you to many different varities of wild flowers. His secret,
and one he kept, was where to find Lady Slippers and Jack-in-Pulpits. Every
year he would slip away and pick them for Thelma.
He would tell of his school days at the one room McKinley School which two of his children attended before it was closed.
With the advent of modern farm machinery, Rob became rather legendary for
his ability to fix in the field almost any piece of equipment that had broken
down with a minimum of tools and a piece of baling wire.
He met a Hudson girl and courted her for quite some time before they were
married in 1939. It didn't take him long to change her from a city girl to a
full fledged farm wife. They led a close and happy life together despite the
hardship of a heart attack and heart condition with which he was stricken in
1950. A hard worker all of his life, it forced him to slow down considerably
and ultimately lead to his death at the age of 68 in 1962.
They raised three children who would be able to tell their children tales
of threshing crews and huge noontime meals, of drinking warm milk right from
the cow, of berry picking on sunny August afternoons, of hauling milk out
with horses thorugh the north field to meet the milk truck on the highway, of
horseback riding, winemaking, haying, sledding, and of his getting them up in
the middle of thenight to see the northern lights fill the summer sky.
He had the patience to let his kids experience and experiment, despite
the loss of his tools, some broken windows, banged up fenders, and at least
forty million questions.
Rob and Thal seldom went out for dinner more frequently than twice a year
when they celebrated their own anniversary in June and Theresa and Harry's
anniversary in November. His favorite choice for dinner-- frog legs.
In 1961, the summer after Nancy and Art were married, Nancy and Art and Rob and Thal spent two weeks visiting Montana. He swapped stories of Wisconsin farming with the Garfield county ranchers at the Ranchers Bar in Jordan, visited Thal's uncle, Olaf Jenson in Whitefish, camped with Woody Hawkinson and family in Glacier Park, and toured Yellowstone Park before returning home. Rob, who probably had never taken a picture before, became a photographer and showed "his" slides with considerable pride when they returned home. It was a memorable vacation as he died less than six months later.
Thal said one of the first things she had to learn when she married Rob was to make "Swiss dumplings" like his mother made. Now these weren't the ordinary dumplings that floated on top of a stew. These dumplings were made with with raisins and settled to the "bottom" where they simmered and simmered. Mom made them whenever she made chicken soup and they were always a welcome treat.
The St. Joseph township farm was sold by the Gartmann family in 1958 and Rob and Thal purchased an 80 acre farm of their own north of Woodville in Baldwin township. It was there that he died on a bitter January evening in 1962 after suffering a heart attack.
Burial was from St.Mary's Catholic Church, Hammond, WI with Father Mee
officiating. Interment was in Willow River Cemetery, Hudson, WI.


Thal to JWS, Feb. 24, 1943
I finally got Nancy in bed. Rob had gone a minute or two before. I told her-- "Go kiss your daddy goodnite". She went over and pulled the spread over his head and said "Papa isn't here--". That papa comes out every once in a while and makes you laugh at her whether you want to or not. Yesterday when we were down for our ration books she took a look at the gym and backed up. It was too much for her. Finally she saw Elt at one of the tables in the opposite corner and took heart. Jennie Lee came over and talked to us and mentioned her pretty snow suit. Nancy said she had to get a new one 'cause the old one didn't have any flowers on it. Jennie asked her where she got it and Nance was all set to open up on her trip to St. Paul when she got it, took another look at Jennie and hid her face in my dress.

Nonie to JWS, Mar. 7, 1943
Well Nancy insists you a soldier and you at Camp Howze, Texas. She has all the answers. Sometimes she knows too many answers. She calls me up nearly every day and tells me about her dolly being sick, ate too much chocolate candy. She surely is the grandest pass time-- never a dull moment. We have been traveling by truck of late-- Gartmann's tires haven't arrived yet.

KMS to JWS, Mar. 18, 1943
Thel called. This morning I had an awful time getting her, it sounded as tho
the wires were crossed. No one on the line could get Central, and she heard
only a slight tinkle and answered it. Then she sent Rob out and he found
where, and uncrossed them. They are still out of lights and after the phone
was fixed Thel called all over to see if they could beg or buy a tank, so he
could take the truck and go get some water, but there was none to be gotten, no tank. So they phoned to the man who hauls water into Houlton by big tank, and asked him to haul them some. Rob brought their milk tank up to the barn door, and had him drain into that, meanwhile carrying water to the cows, some of whom had not had any for 3 days. It let them down terribly in milk and some won't catch up again soon, as in March there's no special milk ration to feed them. He fixed the rod on the wind mill today, but there was absolutely no wind, so it wouldn't pump, until about 5:30 it blew enough so it lifted up a half pail full, so they were going to have that in the house, until they could get more. No lights, no water, and the kind of weather that we've had! In about two months they expect a little addition to the family.

KMS to JWS, Mar. 25, 1943
Thel didn't get to town yesterday as Rob went to the auction. Today she
thought sure she would get to town, but after she had been out routing water so it wouldn't wash them away, Rob came up from the drive way and said it was
entirely impossible to go to town as the water at the end of their drive way
was 6 to 8 feet feet deep, and he couldn't make out but he thought the bottom
was washed out of the road itself right there as it was like a lake across the road. Thinks they'll be able to get to the party tomorrow night, as if no other way, they'll walk down wherever they can, and Pop or Nels will pick them up. Dear me, I hope Thel can come in tomorrow. We surely miss her jars of milk. Thel remarked today that Rob walked all around without slipping as he had the creepers on. She says she wore them a couple times, but Rob wouldn't let her out much when it was so bad. I must call Thel to say good night. Oh what a pleasure the telephone has been to us, what a relief to have it here, to call her, when she can't come in.

KMS to JWS, Mar. 26, 1943
Thel and Nonie and Nancy did get in this afternoon for a few minutes up here,
after they had shopped and brought us a jar of milk; had some coffee and had to go... Nels went up after Nonie, Nancy & Thel (for the birthday club party at Gurina's).

KMS to JWS, Apr. 25, 1944
Well our little Tony was a week old at 4:25 this a.m. So Thelma is already
counting on that she can be up tomorrow, even though she doesn't do anything
except take care of Tony. Of course she has watched Bobby all along, as we'd
put him into his crib to play. During the day, as I'd be working around, she
could keep an eye on him. He is the best natured child. Always smiling, even at night when he wakes up. When I walk past his crib, he'll stick out his hand and smack and implore to be picked up. Its awfully hard to resist, but I just have to, or get nothing done. When I take him out to the dining room and put him in the crib, he'll play in it by the hour, and require no entertainment except some play things. Nancy was out quite a bit today. Its comical to watch her tagging around after Rob. She takes such long steps for a little tyke. When she's playing alone, she plays by the hour around the tractor or other machinery standing around. She's always picking up sticks that "make good kindling", and bringing them up to the house.

KMS to JWS, Apr. 26, 1944
I went to see what could be done for the little guy, my Bobby, to get him to
sleep. He's the cutest little begger, and wanted to get in alongside his monie to sleep, and he got there too. He could wheedle the eyeball out of one's eye socket. Then I helped Rob doctor up his hand a bit. Its been paining him all day, rheumatize, I presume. We put some heat on it, also a big woolen sock. It bothered him a lot for cleaning out at the barn and milking tonight. Thelma declares she's going to set up some tomorrow. She wandered out into the kitchen today and wondered where Nancy was. I went out to look. She was way down West, riding the tractor, or whatever you call the thing they plow with, without horses. She stayed out all afternoon, so tonight she was tired. Poor little tyke. We really expect her to be 8 years instead of 4 because she's so brainy, really, and she's only a little tyke after all. She's so much the image of Thel, at her age, that sometimes I sit and state at her. Only Thelma was so quiet and this little lady can talk as though she is wound up tight, with no stops. She uses good grammer, too.

KMS to JWS, Apr. 27, 1944
Rob went down to see Rastede about his arm and hand. Rastede asked if there
was an infection in it. Rob told him no, but that he came there to find out
what ailed it. Told him to soak it well in hot salt water tonight. Of course, he smiles even when he says it hurts so it makes him sick. That's his nature.

KMS to JWS, May 25, 1944
Thelma bought prizes and napkins for Sat. Eve. The birthday guest has to
furnish prizes for the ladies. The committee furnishes the men's prizes.

KMS to JWS, July 20, 1944
I think Nancy's hurt will leave very little of scar, as its healing very
smoothly. Thel says she left the bandage on her foot, so she'd be more careful of it than otherwise as up to yesterday, no Tuesday, she had worn her
hippy-hops.

KMS to JWS, Aug. 26, 1944
I'm going to start this visit while I have a few minutes before Norden's.
Just got back from Thel's. I was up there with Nonie, in the house, while
Thelmas was out "filling silo", and she was on the "cutter". Thelma had bought herself a pair of slacks, at Rob's suggestion, and really looked well in them. They are dark blue. Nonie and I found plenty to do, while Thelma was out, two of us, and here Thel does it all alone regularly. One of the farmers who helped fill silo wanted to know if Thel couldn't get me to take of the children for three days more and come up there to help "fill". She told him "no", she had plenty to do at home. I was back here at ten o'clock and made lunch, and visited with Thel until Rob came, then had lunch and they went to town for a while. Pop and Nancy came down after me. Its nearly impossible for me to think for 12:35 a.m. though is is, there's a little midget question box here, who is so afraid she will go to sleep that she isn't quiet for a single second.

Tonight I handed her some election colored pages, and a paper punch. I knew
what it meant, but she's enjoyed herself with it, immensely. Wish I had a
dollar for every tiny pebble of yaller and orange paper laying around, to be
swept up tomorrow morning. Now she's threading a cord string through some of
the holes she's punched in the papers. She wants to stay here tonight so she
can punch tomorrow, she said, but her Momie said no, she's better off in her
own bed. She sleeps in the crib in the dining room, all alone-- pretty brave, I think. She says "I sleep in the crib Bobbie plays in, in the day time." Some big girl I'll tell you. Tonight she came into the basement looking for me. So many said "look at the curls". Mugs Peterson said "Look at that million dollar head of head." Tony has been asleep since I first came home.

Bobby went to sleep in Pop's big chair about twelve o'clock. He had been on
the go, every minute, too. Pop repaired Nancy's wagon last Sunday and she's
been having a great time hauling Bobby around the house in it. Its really too small for Nancy to sit in now. (1:25 a.m.) Thel and Rob just left. They came about one and now they've started for home. Nancy was still awake and fed Snap three slices of bread before she left.

KMS to JWS, Jan. 24, 1945
Thel left Rob down town and came up with the children. Nancy was all set to
stay here. She said, "If I get the card table and bring it to you to unfold,
will that be pestering you Mom?" Bless her treasure heart. I said "no". If I ask you to play cards with me, while you can rest your feet, will I be being good?" I told the Darling, "yes", and we played until we heard the folks come.

HSO, 11 Jan 1962, p2
Robert Gartmann Dies in Sleep
Robert Gartmann, 68, died suddenly Suday at 11 p.m. at his home in Woodville. He suffered a heart attack in his sleep.
Gartmann was married to the former Thelma Stayberg of Hudson. He has three children, Mrs. Arthur Hawkinson (Nancy) of No. St. Paul, Robert and Anthony at home.
Funeral services were Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Burke Funeral Home and at 10 a.m. at the Hammond Catholic church. Visitation began at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
A complete obituary will be published next week.

HSO, 18 Jan 1962, p7
Robert J. Gartmann, Sr., 68, a life long resident of St. Croix county, died Sunday evening, Jan. 7, of a heart attack at his rural Woodville home. He was the sone of the late Anna Friend Gartmann and Antone Gartmann.
Funeral services were at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the Burke Funeral Home, and at 10 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic church at Hammond, Father Mee officiating. Burial was in Willow River Cemetery at Hudson.
Pallbearers were Ben Lindeman, Ralph Radunzel, Richard Gartmann, Gene Gartmann, Sherman Sutter and Jack Stayberg, the last four being nephews of the deceased.
Gartmann was born in St. Joseph township where he lived and farmed until 1958, when he moved to rural Woodville.
Robert Gartmann and Thelma L. Stayberg were married June 26, 1939. To them were born three children, Mrs. Arthur F. Hawkinson of No. St. Paul, Robert J., Jr., and Anthony.
Gartmann is survived by his wife, Thelma, daughter Nancy Hawkinson, and two sons, Robert and Anthony; a brother, Max of Hudson; three sisters, Augusta Gartmann, Theresa Dierks of Hudson and Margaret Johnson of St. Paul.
He was preceded in death by his mother, the late Anna Friend Gartmann and father Anthony, two sisters, Anna and Louise, and brother, Joseph.

Birth	11 Sep 1893	Rural St. Joseph Township, Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Description	5 Jun 1917	Tall, Gray eyes, Dark hair, Medium build, one crooked finger - World War I Draft Registration,
Occupation	7 Apr 1930	Farm laborer on family farm - St. Joseph Twp., St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Marriage	26 Jun 1939	St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States - Thelma Lorraine Stayberg
Description	27 Apr 1942	5' 11 1/2", Blue eyes, Black hair, Ruddy complexion - WWII Draft Registration,
Death	7 Jan 1962	Baldwin Township, Saint Croix County, Wisconsin
Burial	10 Jan 1962	Willow River Cemetery, Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States
Radio in 1930		Yes (Anna Gartmann)

Spouse	Thelma Lorraine Stayberg (1907 - 1969)
Child	Nancy Lorraine Gartmann
Child	Robert John Gartmann
Child	Anthony Joseph Gartmann (1944 - 1997)

Father	Joseph Anton Gartmann (1850 - 1908)
Mother	Anna Friend (1868 - 1957)
Sibling	Francis (Frank) Gartmann (1888 - 1893)
Sibling	Anna Marie Gartmann (1890 - 1918)
Sibling	Joseph Anthony Gartmann (1891 - 1959)
Sibling	Max Francis Gartman (1895 - 1978)
Sibling	Augusta Othellia Gartmann (1898 - 1982)
Sibling	Margaret Gartmann (1902 - 1978)
Sibling	Theresa Agnes Gartmann (1903 - 2000)