Surname Saturday: Rottman (Bavaria / Georgia / Iowa / Illinois)

Ah, now we get to talk about my crazy ROTTMAN family.  The earliest known ancestor is Philip ROTTMAN, my second great-grandfather.  He apparently came to the US from Bavaria, Germany.  This family has been difficult to research for many reasons, but mainly because they moved around the country several times.  My direct line ancestors are in blue.

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First Generation

1.

Philip1 ROTTMAN was born about 1835 in Bavaria, Germany and died on 24 June 1885 in Golden, Jefferson, Colorado.  He married Mary Eva REEDER (or LASSER) before 1870 possibly in Germany or France. Eva was born cal. 18 March 1849 in France and died on 26 October 1889 in Iowa. Children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	John2 W ROTTMAN was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa.
3	ii.	Louise ROTTMAN was born on 19 October 1871 in McDonough, Henry, Georgia, and was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky.  She likely died before June 1880.
4	iii.	Gottlieb ROTTMAN was born 14 January 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, and died on 10 July 1873 probably in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, where he is buried.
5	iv.	Anna E ROTTMAN was born in April 1874 in Missouri and died in 1964.  Anna first married Joseph W ZARUB on 24 December 1896 in Marion, Linn, Iowa. Joseph was born in February 1874 in Iowa.  Anna married second, Jacob M HOAG on 18 December 1912 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Jacob was born in 1871 in Illinois and died in 1949.
6	v.	Malissa Elizabeth ROTTMAN was born in 1875 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died between 1896 and 1900.  “Lizzie” married Joseph RUSHEK on 6 April 1896 in Big Grove, Johnson, Iowa. Joseph was born on 13 August 1874 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa.
7	vi.	Charles Henry ROTTMAN was born on 11 August 1877 in Ivanhoe, Linn, Iowa, and died on 11 February 1927 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa.  Charles married Rosanna Elizabeth "Anna" BEATTY on 14 April 1899 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa. Rosanna was born on 25 November 1880 in Sugarcreek, Cedar, Iowa, and died on 24 July 1958 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa.  They had 13 children.
8	vii.	Mabel Louise ROTTMAN was born on 28 September 1879 and died on 1 April 1961.  Mabel married Paul Frederick William HAASE on 8 May 1901 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa. Paul was born on 3 May 1877 in Germany.  They had two children.
+ 9	viii.	George ROTTMAN was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

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Second Generation

2.

John2 W ROTTMAN (Phillip1) was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa.  John married Melvina E HORN, daughter of Samuel HORN and Mary A MARSHALL, on 31 December 1891 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Melvina was born in October 1862 in Johnson County, Iowa, and died in 1944. Children from this marriage were:

10	i.	Ethel3 Mary ROTTMAN was born on 29 May 1892 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 17 November 1986 in Iowa.  Ethel married George W COSTER, son of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 21 September 1920 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. George was born on 8 September 1893 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa and died on 26 January 1954 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa.
11	ii.	Clarence Leo ROTTMAN was born on 20 September 1895 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 6 November 1985 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa.  Clarence married Marguerite Alma COSTER, daughter of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 10 December 1919 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Marguerite was born on 23 April 1899 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 12 November 1978 in Iowa.

9.

George2 ROTTMAN (Phillip1) was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.  George married Anna E STOFFEL, daughter of Carl "Charles" STOFFEL and Mary BRAUN, on 12 February 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Anna was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.  It is possible that George was married once prior to Anna (still working on this). Children from this marriage were:

12	i.	Edward3 George ROTTMAN was born on 14 December 1915 in Illinois, and died on 10 January 1968 in Mundelein, Lake, Illinois.  He served in the US Army during World War II.  Edward married Helen –?– after 1940. Helen was born on 23 November 1920 and died on 23 December 1999 in Wisconsin.
13	ii.	Margaret Ann ROTTMAN was born on 28 January 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1999 in Round Lake, Saratoga, New York.  Margaret married Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD, son of Nicholas D COMERFORD and Margaret A FREEMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Lawrence was born on 9 November 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
14	iii.	Marie Ethel ROTTMAN was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois.  Marie married Harold Leslie MILLER, son of Emil Karl August MILLER and Alma Mary LEPPIN, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harold was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois.  Marie and Harold are my grandparents.

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Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 2 February 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Rottman family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Rottman Letter, 23 November 1943

A continuation of letters written by my great-grandfather, George Rottman.  The letters were written to his children while he was away from home visiting family in Iowa and Wisconsin in the 1940s.

This letter was written on 23 November 1943 to Marge (Rottman) Comerford.  A transcription follows the images.

    

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Lisbon Ia
Nov 23-43

Dear Marge and all,

Received your letter also books and knee pad and stamps thanks for same I dont wear it all the time as it seems to draw or something.  My knee is better to-day and yesterday so maybe it is good for awhile now.  I got a pair of knee warmers so you dont have to get any.  You must of had quite a party on Shirley would of liked to of been there  I got a letter from Ed and when he lets me know when he is comming I will get there some way.  I dont think the Buses will be too crowded where you get a seat and hold it all the way there.  Well Mabel and Alma had an argument and Mabel left so Rose and I are here alone again.  I have to do some of the cooking or at least watch it and dish up sometimes  I killed a rooster this A.M. so Rose is putting it on to cook now 1:30 P.M. it ought to get done in time for supper.  We have plenty of eggs to eat.  Fishing is out altho we have some yet they are froze.  Ducks are all gone and its no good rabbit hunting till it snows.  I got a squirrel the other day.  Clarence and Donald are husking corn down to Lee Pickets.  I have been doing the chores all except milking and the chickens.  Lots of water to pump but they have a gas engine on the pump and I start it when it starts which is when it feels like it.  The other morning I cranked and cranked till I got tired then went in the house and sat down read part of a paper went out and just came up on the crank once and away it went.  Thats the way it acts  He is going to put in an ele[c]tric motor when he gets around to it and gets things lined up. Vina has been worse the last 3 days.  She keeps Rose busy washing pads and changing her she messes all over the bed like an infant  So I do quite a bit in the house Alma dosnt do anything down here.  I have enough reading matter to last me quite a while as I dont get long to read at a time only at night then I go to bed early.  Well I guess this is all I can think of this time so will close hoping to hear from you soon and see you soon too

Love to all

Dad

Transcribed by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr, 24 August 2008.

Rottman Letter, 6 October 1943

A continuation of letters written by my great-grandfather, George Rottman.  The letters were written to his children while he was away from home visiting family in Iowa and Wisconsin in the 1940s.

By October 1943, George is back in Lisbon, Iowa, visiting family.  In this letter he discusses the failing health of some of the family members.  The letter was written to Marge (Rottman) Comerford.  A transcription follows the images.

 

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Lisbon Ia
Oct 6-43

Dear Marge and all,

Received your letter and was glad to hear from you.   "How R U cummin" I am cummin fine."  Hope you the same.  My toe doesnt bother me any more.  My arm bothers me some-times Its too bad about Louie he always spoke to me whenever we met.  Yes I am still catching fish got 1-6 lbs 1-5 lbs 1-1 ½ lbs this morning.  Rose and I have fish twice a day thats about all there is to eat and bread and butter  It was too wet and cold for potatoes.  Kill a chicken now and then.  But we get by.  I set the table and put the thing away after we eat. but dont help with the dishes.  Its so hard for Rose to get around.  She hangs on chairs table or anything that's handy when she walks.  She and Ethel dont want me to leave they dont know how she can get along without someone with her Alma and Clarence are also good  Alma washed my clothes Clarence got me a carton of cigarettes and gives me hooks and suckers and use his good pole and line and real and mixes some doe balls for bait so you can see I can't just say I am going back to Chi[cago] and get a job. Alma brings the Daily Gazette down for me to read every night and we have a radio in the kitchen so I get all the news and listen to all the programs I did in Chi[cago].  Alma and Clarence stay down here about 6 nights a week since Mabel is gone Ethel and Geo come one night a week.  Sis [Anna (Rottman) Hoag] is not able to stay up nights.  She and Jake are in Wheaton now they went last Friday.  Jakes sister Carry DeWolf is dying or dead by now I guess.  There Sis is talking about having some kind of operation before she comes back.  I guess you know we have electric lights.  Vina is failing slow but sure.  She sleeps mostly in the days and is awake at night.  She's afraid of night thinking she will die before morning as soon as daylight comes she goes to sleep for an hr or less at a time.  We had supper at 6:30 and Rose is still in there feeding her and it is 8:00 oclock now.  They have a regular hospital bed for her and another bed in there so they get a little sleep some nights.  I go to bed about 9 or 9:30.  I wrote to Dick so he would get it the day he got the milk check but havnt got any word from him yet.  Told him I needed the money.  But they both are the lousy dirty skunks I ever met.  They even Jipp each other and the kids are the same way.  Well I guess I answered all you asked me in your letter.  I hop[e] Shirley is all well again and also Marge.  It seems like Hammans just live for their girls.  They have no other time for any thing else.  Well I think this is all for this time hoping to hear from you soon  Love to all

Dad

Thank[s] for the $

The hens are starting to lay eggs for breakfast to-morrow fish for dinner and more fish for supper.  Laur aught to be here.  Tell Hello to Laurs Ma and Mike and Delos for me

Transcribed by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr, 24 August 2008.

Rottman Letter, 17 December 1942

A continuation of letters written by my great-grandfather, George Rottman.  The letters were written to his children while he was away from home visiting family in Iowa and Wisconsin in the 1940s.

George sent this letter about a week before Christmas in 1942.  It was written to Marge (Rottman) Comerford, her husband Lawrence, and baby daughter Shirley.  A transcription follows the images.

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Wild Rose Wis
Dec 17-42

Dear Marge Laur & Shirley Ann

Received your letter and was glad to hear from you.  I am well hope you all are the same.  I got a card from Mabel with a buck in it.  I just ans it  I also got a letter from Ed, Marie, Marge, and Geo.  So it keeps me busy writing and buying postage stamps Ha. Ha.  Ed sent me air mail stamps 2 of them so I used one on his letter and put one on Mabels as I only had one 3 cent stamp left untill I get to town  It still keeps snowing up here it is about a foot deep now.  Dick [Richard Rottman?] finaly bought a farm for $4,000.  Its a nice place not far from a lake and 2 1/2 miles to Wild Rose  Well I will make this letter sort as I will tell you all when I see you.  I expect to come in the day before Christmas if I am not snowed in.  So will ring off untill then

Love to all

Dad

Transcribed by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr, 24 August 2008.

Rottman Letter, 20 November 1942

A continuation of letters written by my great-grandfather, George Rottman.  The letters were written to his children while he was away from home visiting family in Iowa and Wisconsin in the 1940s.

This letter is dated 20 November 1942.  It was written to Marge (Rottman) and Lawrence Comerford just after their baby was born.  Unlike the previous three letters, this one (and the next) are sent from Wild Rose, Wisconsin.  I’m not sure what brought George to Wisconsin.  A transcription follows the images.

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Wild Rose Wis
Nov 20-42

Dear Marge & Turk

Received Turks letter and was glad to hear from you.  Glad to hear you have your baby and both are all right.  So now you can quit worrying so much.  Don't worry about Turk or the flat while you are in the hispital  They will get along O.K.  You just think about yourself and the baby.  Well we are helping our neighbor get up wood for the winter  Then he will help us get up our wood we are burning both coal and some wood now.  It hasnt been cold enough all week to start a fire in the heater yesterday I worked in my short sleeves it was foggy all day.  To date we have got 3 Rabbits and 2 squirrels.  There are lots of ducks but always too far out in the lake to shoot at and then we cant hunt right anyway because we havnt any license or duck stamps.  I guess we have to be here 6 months before we can get a resident liscense [sic].  Dick [Richard Rottman?] hasnt bought a farm yet.  We have 2 in view.  One is a regular rich [?] farm but he died and it must be sold to clear up the estate.  The buildings and iron fence around the 110 acres alone must of cost at least 15,000.00 dollars.  There is a small private lake on the place and only about 2 blocks from Pine River which is a wonderful trout and other fish stream.  They are asking 5,500.00 for it.  But I think it can be bought for 5 grand.  But you cant tell we might get something entirely different  The[y] change mind so often.  And then sometimes I change it for them.  Well I wrote a long letter to Ed the same time I wrote you before but have not heard from him as yet.  I would like to come down for Thanksgiving but I don't think I can.  There is going to be a bunch come up here so I will be down for the Christmas holidays.  I hope we have some snow by then so I can get some rabbits we only hunt on our place but there are plenty of game on the place.  Well I will close for this time hoping you and the baby are doing well and Marie and Harold and the rest are all the same  Love to all and say Hello to the baby

Your Loving Dad

Wild Rose
Rout #2 - Box 90     Wis

Transcribed by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr, 24 August 2008.

Wordless Wednesday – 11/25/09

A Miller Thanksgiving (1958)

Wordless Wednesday – 08/12/09

Wordless Wednesday – 06/10/09

Wordless Wednesday – 06/03/09

Family Events - Week of September 8 to September 14

James MULLIGAN Sr. - James MULLIGAN Sr. was born on 7 December 1812 in Ireland.  He is my 3rd great-grandfather, who married Sarah Norton WEBSTER on 5 November 1865 in Michigan (therein lies my connection to the famed Websters).  On 8 September 1879 he passed away in Michigan at the age of 66. [1]

Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD - "Uncle Turk" was born on 9 November 1916 in Illinois.  He married my grandaunt, Margaret ROTTMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Illinois.  Lawrence died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 53. [2,3,4]

Michael BELLUOMINI - It's my step-brother's birthday this week!

Julie Marie CAHILL & James Christopher TARR - It's our 5th wedding anniversary this week!!!

 

Citations

1. Cahill Family Tree document, compiled by Joseph CAHILL, ca. between 1965-1982; privately held by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr.  Note:  Data not 100% verified at this time.
2. Memorial card for Lawrence Henry COMERFORD (1970); privately held by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr.
3. Obituary for Lawrence Henry COMERFORD, undated clipping, ca. September 1970, from unidentified newspaper; privately held by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr. 
4. "Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960," database, Ancestry.com, Margaret Rottman & Lawrence Comerford.

Originally posted @ my LiveJournal blog on 8 September 2008.

Julie