Embedded Files
Documenting my ancestors and helping others with their research.
The Walter John Stuempges Family
Walter John Stuempges
b. 10 Jun 1899, Coon Valley, Vernon Co, WI
d. 13 May 1982, Ely, St. Louis Co, MN
bu. Ely Cemetery, Ely, MN
Father: Johann Philipp Julius "John" Stuempges
Mother: Anna Weishaupt
m1. 21 Sep 1926,
Aberdeen, Brown Co, SD
div1. 5 May 1944,
Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
Sylvia Maria Bertha Hedwig Martin
b. 28 May 1909, Polar, Langlade Co, WI
ba. 13 Jun 1909, St. Peter's Church, Polar, WI
d. 12 Jan 2008, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
bu. 16 Jan 2008, St. John's Cemetery, Polar, WI
Father: Hermann Wilhelm Gustav "Gust" Märten-Martin
Mother: Maria Summ
m1. 12 Jul 1946,
Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
Bernice Valerie Kluwe
b. 2 Jul 1921, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
d. 6 Dec 2012, Duluth, St. Louis Co, MN
bu. Ely Cemetery, Ely, MN
Widow of: Elmer C. Prahl
Father: Albert August Gustave Kluwe
Mother: May Elizabeth Schissel
Children:
Elaine Florella Stuempges (m1. James William Howard Felton)
b. 31 Dec 1926, Polar, Langlade Co, WI (m2. Thomas Thurman Rodgers
m1. 14 Jun 1948, Chicago, Cook Co, IL
m2. 1 Dec 1961, Crown Point, Lake Co, IN
d. 19 Jun 1987, Holy Cross Hospital,
Chicago, Cook Co, ILEunice Lorraine Stuempges (m. Sterling Eugene Page)
b. 27 Sep 1928, Polar, Langlade Co, WI
m. 10 Jun 1950, St. John's Church, Polar, WI
d. 20 Oct 2019, Antigo, Langlade Co, WI
bu. 25 Oct 2019, Pearson Cemetery, Pearson, WI
Chronological Timeline:
On 19 Nov 1913, the Vernon County Censor published an article entitled "Some Snakes for November:"
"While out hunting a week ago Sunday, Adolph Lee and Walter Stumpges caught sight of a few rattle snakes, which had crawled out of the rocks for a little sunshine, it being a warm day. They immediately got a pick ax and dug them out, thirteen in all. The largest snake had thirteen rattles.--
Coon Valley Herald."
On 12 Sep 1918 in Viroqua, Vernon County, Wisconsin, Walter John Stuempges registered for the draft. He was a resident of Westby in Vernon County, was 19 years old and born on June 10th, 1899. He was native-born and worked as a farmer for his father, John Stuempges in Westby. He was physically described as being of medium height and build, with blue eyes and dark hair; no scars or such.
The Vernon County Censor later published on 18 Sep 1918 a listing of the men who registered for the draft, with Walter J. Stuempges appearing in Viroqua.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G184-X3
On 6 Nov 1918, the Vernon County Censor published an article entitled "Sons of Vernon To Front." It stated men were being called to appear on either Monday or Wednesday, "contingent to go by the afternoon Southeastern train. For both these occasions informal farewell demonstrations will be held. Below are given the names of the patriotic sons called."
Walter J. Stuempges of Westby was "to report at Viroqua, November 13, at 8:30 a. m., for Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, November 13 at 2:40 P. M."
I personally don't believe Walter served during WWI, as there are no further records on him about such. The 1930 census specifically states he was not a veteran.
On 20 May 1925, Walter Stuempges and Sylvia Martin were witnesses to the wedding of Walter's brother, Eddie Willie Stuempges, to Nina Mikkelson. This wedding photo was taken the same day; from left to right: Sylvia, Nina, Walter, Eddie Willie.
NOTE: Sylvia Martin was only 15 in this photo; she would turn 16 eight days later, 28 May 1925.
On 6 Jun 1925, the Wisconsin Telegram of Superior, Wisconsin, published an article about Walter Stuempges' brother:
"STATE WEDDINGS
STUEMPGES-MIKKELSON.
ANTIGO.- Miss Nina Mikkelson and E. Stuempges, both of Polar, were married here by Judge A. N. Whiting. They were attended by Miss Sylvia Marten and Walter Stuempges. A wedding dinner was served at the home of the bridegroom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Stuempges, in Polar."
On 21 Sep 1926 in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota, Walter J. Stuempges [27] was married to Sylvia M. Martin [18]. They were both listed as residents of Polar, Langlade [County, Wisconsin] and Americans. They were married by minister John E. Booth.
NOTE: Sylvia was 17 years old, not 18, and she was presumably ~5-6 months pregnant with daughter Elaine. The legal age to marry in both South Dakota and Wisconsin at the time was 18 years old, leading me to believe they eloped without parental permission.
NOTE: Rev. John E. Booth presided over the Evangelical Church in Aberdeen from 1924, until his death in 1931. Is there a church marriage record to be found? Who are the witnesses to this wedding? [Two separate requests were sent on 1 Oct 2025, via email and Facebook, to the current Faith United Methodist Church in Aberdeen.]
SOURCE: http://www.aberdeenareahistory.org/files/original/b41ea7b017d9b581be34d79c4e0d099a.pdf
The 1930 federal census has Walter Stempges enumerated on 7 May 1930 in the town of Polar, Langlade County, Wisconsin. His household consisted of the following:
Walter Stempges Head M W 30 Married at 27 Wisconsin Wisconsin Bohemia Mechanic-Garage Non-Veteran
Silvie Wife F W 20 Married at 17 Wisconsin Germany Wisconsin
Elane Daughter F W 3 Single Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin
Eunis Daughter F W 1 Single Wisconsin Wisconsin Wisconsin
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RZZ-3H4
The 1940 federal census has Walter Stuempges enumerated on 7 May 1930 in the town of Polar, Langlade County, Wisconsin. His household consisted of the following:
Walter Stuempges Head M W 40 Married Grade 5 Wisconsin Sawyer-Saw Mill [Paid Wage]
Sylvia Wife F W 31 Married High School 1 Wisconsin Manager-Farm [Own Account]
Elaine Daughter F W 13 Single Grade 7 Wisconsin
Eunice Daughter F W 11 Single Grade 4 Wisconsin
NOTE: It appears that Walter was employed at a saw mill, while Sylvia managed the home farm. Elaine would later be a freshman at Antigo High School the following school year.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-ZZJW
On 15 Feb 1942 in Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin, Walter John Stuempges registered for the WWII draft. He was a resident of Antigo Star Route in the town of Polar, Langlade County, Wisconsin. He was 42 years old and born on 10 Jun 1899 in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wisconsin. His nearest relative was his wife, Sylvia Stuempges. He was employed by George Klement of Polar, Wisconsin, with the place of employment listed as "Gibb's City" in Iron County, Michigan. He was physically described as being 5'8" and 150lbs with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion; no scars or such.
NOTE: Gibbs City in Iron County, Michigan is currently a ghost town, which was founded in the 1800's as Atkinson. The community centered itself on a sawmill on Paint River, which caught fire in 1921 and resulted in the town being mostly abandoned. A post office remained in operation until 1952 and the last of the town was destroyed in a controlled fire in 1966.
On 5 May 1944 at the courthouse in Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin, Sylvia Stuempges was declared divorced from her husband Walter Stuempges.
Walter Stuempges Remarries
On 12 Jul 1946 in Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin, Walter J. Stuempges was married to Bernice V. Kluwe, the widow of Elmer C. Prahl.
The 1950 federal census has Walter Stuempges enumerated on 13 Apr 1950 in White Lake, Langlade County, Wisconsin. His household consisted of the following:
Walter Stuempges Head W M 50 Married Wisconsin Cutting Wood Pulp-Woods [Paid Wage]
Bernice Wife W F 28 Married Wisconsin
Ronald Prahl Ward W M 7 Single Wisconsin
Sharon Prahl Ward W F 6 Single Wisconsin
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-SQHW-K9DX-Q
A photo dated 1957 shows Walter Stuempges (back row, right) with wife Bernice, and her parents - the Kluwe's.
Walter Stuempges with his step-children Ronald & Sharon Prahl; presumably their confirmation ~1957.
Sylvia Martin Remarries
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse