KARL TOSTMANN

 

 

     Karl Tostmann, b March 30, 1882 in Bettrum, Hanover Province, Germany, d April 24, 1964 at Riesel, McLennan County, Texas and buried in the Perry Methodist Church Cemetery at Perry, Falls County, Texas - was a son of Heinrich Tostmann, b June 25, 1852 in Germany, d February 19, 1926, and his wife, Hermine (Kohler) Tostmann, b March 31, 1855 in Schellerten, Hanover Province, Germany, d May 12, 1938 in Germany.

     Karl immigrated to Waco, McLennan County, Texas in 1905 - sponsored by the Herman Behrens family - and became a naturalized citizen. On September 6,1919, Karl was married to Almeda Sophia Wiebusch, b December 21, 1895 in Falls County, Texas, d August 13, 1981 at Marlin, and buried in the Perry Methodist Church Cemetery. She was a daughter of Charles Lewis and Alwine (Thies) Wiebusch.

     In 1920, Karl Tostmann bought the Riesel Drug Company, which served the northern part of Falls County, as well as the Riesel Community. He had been educated in Germany, then studied in Little Rock, Arkansas to become a registered pharmacist. He was a member of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, School Board President in Riesel, a charter member of the Lion's Club of Riesel, and a civic leader.

     During World War I, Karl served on the draft Board, for which he received a Commendation from Washington, D.C. On April 29, 1965, the 59th Legislature of Texas adopted a Resolution by the Senate for his "admirable service to his community."

     Almeda (Wiebusch) Tostmann was born in a log cabin near Perry, and moved to Riesel at the age of fourteen, graduating from Riesel High School two years later. She attended summer school at Baylor University, and taught school at the Alexander School in the northeast part of Falls County, and in the Meyer Settlement School at Riesel, after receiving a degree from Southwestern State College in San Marcus, Texas. In 1934, Almeda was one of three women in Texas to become a registered pharmacist. She worked with her husband, and then kept the drug store for several years after his death. In 1967, she sold the store and was a pharmacist in the Mart Pharmacy, until her retirement and relocation in Marlin, Texas. She was a member of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, the Meyer Memorial Methodist Church, Women's Society of Christian Service, and the Riesel Ladies "42" Club.

     Karl and Almeda Sophia (Wiebusch) Tostmann had one daughter, Dorothy Ruth Tostmann, b August 7, 1921, who married James S. Bussell, M.D., and had four children.

 

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 458 column 1 and 2.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.