Pullman, Hettinger, Genealogy

PULLMAN, HETTINGER

Posted By: Lisa McCombe (email)
Date: 7/5/2006 at 16:56:47

George Pullman was born in the province of Darmstadt, Germany, November 24, 1833 or 1834. He died Sept. 6, 1898 in Ingraham Township, Mills County, IA. Buried in Silver City, IA. He was educated in his native city and in 1852 at the age of 18 he came to America and joined his three sisteres who had previously located in Philadelphia, PA. The sisters were: Sophia (Pullman)Foster, Gertrude (Pullman) Graph or Mrs. Fred Graph, and Mrs. Mark's. The Foster's owned and operated a pork-packing plant. The Graph's were liquor dealers and later became extensive real estate dealers. Mrs. Mark's husband was a barber. The mother and two sisters remained in Germany.

The three sisters in Philadelphia, PA took special interest in George, since he was the only brother and youngest of the family. He learned wagon and carriage making in Philadelphia. He went from Philadelphia to Chicago, IL were he worked in the Pullman Wagon and Carriage Factory. Here he met and married Elizabeth Hettinger on Jan. 4, 1856. George worked at this trade until 1856. The factory began manufacturing Pullman sleeping cars soon after he left. Soon after marriage they moved to Muscatine, IA, where they became tennant farmers. Elizabeth's father and two brothers (William and Lou) came with them. Elizabeth's father (also named George) became blind, so Elizabeth and George ended up raising her two brothers. A friend, Bill (Skinner) Foster, told them about a new location in Mills County, IA. So after living 14 years in Muscatine, IA they set out for Ingraham Township, Mills County, Iowa.This couple had 14 children. Here are their names: George b.1857 d.1927, William b. 1858 in Muscatine, IA d. 1936, Margaret b. 1860 d. 1952, Sophia b. 1861 d. 1958, Mary b. 1862 d. 1945, Phillip b.1863 d. 1939, John b.1866 d. 1911, Henry b.1868 d.1873, Charles b.1871 d.1947,Edward b.1872 d. 1948, Elizabeth b.1874 d.1954, Frank b. 1876 d.1964, Albert b.1878 d.1955, James b.1880 d.1919.

I'm seeking more information on George Pullman,Sr. I don't have much information about him when he lived in Muscatine, IA or in Philadelphia, PA only information from Mills County, IA. I also would like to find out any additional information about his sisters (possibly gathering more information from them/their families) and parentage back in Germany. I don't know whether anyone can provide any information. Also, please contact me if you think you may be related. Thanks for your cooperation!
Lisa McCombe