Per Dorothy Thomas, Grandfather Hausmann was unable to speak English and when he arrived in Baltimore, he was involved in a craps game. He didn't understand what was happening and he lost all of his money. When he met Bertha, she spoke no German. They taught each other enough of the 2 languages to communicate.
See letters from Germany: Gottlieb Haussmann
in Osffersbasf
o/a Breuhenfeim
Wurttemberg
Germany
Spelling seems different than spelling on today's maps.
Copy of paper typed by Dorothy Offutt Thomas:
Seventy-six years ago, June 9, 1862, William Hausmann, son of Chris Hausmann, was born in Wurthensberg, Germany. He was a very quiet and reserved person and seldom mentioned his young life, nor his relatives' names. When his parents died he left the old country in 1881 and sailed for America at the age of 19. Upon arriving in New York he acquired a job in a small baking establishment and lived in a moderate rooming house. Later he left New York and came to Washington. Here he obtained a job with Chas. Schneider's Baking Company and a few years later married Bertha Baker. He then worked at Stolman's Baking Co. and i 1903 he left there to work at Holmes & Son. In this instance we would like to quote an article printed in "The Co-Worker", October 1931:
"FAMILIAR FIGURES: In 1903, 28 years ago, William Hausmann came to work for Holmes & Son. Mr. Hausmann started as shop foreman and helped to move the bakery to its present location in 1905. The four routes on the street then seem quite insignificant when we consider the 84 in existence today. Eight years ago, Mr. Hausmann was attacked with an illness which confined him to his bed for four months. On his return, his impaired health prevented him from assuming his duties as foreman. Mr. Hausmann is a man who says little and does much."
From the above you can readily see that Mr. Hausmann was a man of good character and ability. He always made the remark that if he had his way of dieing he would like to "drop at his work", but his wish was not fulfilled as in 1933 because of his health he was forced to retire. He lost his wife in 1930 and his job in 1933 which caused him to lead a most unhappy and lonely life. Although he had his single daughter to give him every care and also a married daughter and her family at his home with him, little could be done to make him forget his loneliness. He never wanted to be a burden to anyone or linger ill for any length of time. This wish was granted when at 2:15 AM Saturday morning, June 11, 1938 he was taken with a heart attack and died at 3:00 AM, after feeling fine all day Friday and retiring in perfect health. God must have heard his prayer. He was laid away beautifully and showered with flowers from his many friends. He was placed to rest with his beloved wife at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Mr. Hausmann was the late Father of: Mrs. Louise Talbott, Mrs. Bertha Harding, William and Mabel Hausmann and Mrs. Cora Offutt; Grandfather of: Marvin Harding, Miss Betty Jane Harding, Master William Hausmann and Miss Dorothy Offutt; Great Grandfather of: Donald, Charles and Shirley Goldsmith and Jacqueline Harding.
Also see Newspaper Clipping:
WILLIAM HAUSMANN
FUNERAL RITES HELD
Retired Bakery Employe Came Here From Germany at 19.
Burial in Cedar Hill
William Hausmann, 76, retired employe of Holmes & Son, Inc. bakers, who died last Saturday at his home, 323 K street N.E., was buried Tuesday in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Funeral services were held at his late residence.
Mr. Hausmann retired in 1933 due to failing health. He began working for the baking firm in 1903, after working for other local baking companies, and served for some time as shop foreman. A native of Germany, Mr. Hausmann left that country when 19, after the death of his parent, going to New York and later coming to Washington.
Surviving are a son, William Hausmann, jr.; four daughters, Mrs. Louise Talbott, Mrs. Bertha Harding, Miss Mabel Hausmann and Mrs. Cora Offutt; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
See various papers including ship board passenger ticket and naturalization papers. Also a picture of him as a young man.
In 1900 census/soundex card, all are listed as "Houseman" rather than "Hausmann." They are living at 1610 34th St., D. C.
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