From Proud Heritage, Vol. 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
Ferdinand and Sophia Stork Gramatky resided in Mainz, Germany in the late 1860’s. They had three small daughters: Margaret, Wilhelmina, and infant Elizabeth.
Crowded conditions and the many wars in Europe, especially the impending Franco Prussian War of the 1870’s, were the impelling influences that caused Ferdinand and Sophia to leave Germany and come to America seeking freedom and a better life. Adolph Stork, Sophia’s brother, had preceded them to this country; and it was undoubtedly his letters from Dallas that caused them to settle in this area.
About 1869-70 they arrived in Galveston, then traveled overland by wagon to Dallas via Ft. Worth. They were met by Adolph who, as written by Charles Cretien, instructed him as follows: “You are in America now, so you must Americanize your names. Ferdinand,” he said, pointing to my grossfader, “you will take the name of John, and the children’s names will be changed also. Wilhelmina will be ‘Minnie’; Margaret will become ‘Maggie’, and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’.” So in a few brief words, Uncle Adolph had Americanized the Gramatky family.,
Charles continued: “The Gramatky’s first home in Dallas was located in the eastern edge of town, near Akard and Jackson. Later they lived on Main Street about a block west of Akard. Mill Creek, an open stream, ran between them and the business section of town toward the courthouse. In crossing Mill Creek, pedestrians had to step carefully on rocks and boards to avoid getting wet!”
John Ferdinand Gramatky was a skilled cabinet maker and was employed by a showcase and fixture manufacturer. He made many articles of furniture for his family. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, who were in charge of his funeral services in 1911.
The Gramatkys moved to a large two-story frame house on Masten (St. Paul) Street between Pacific and Bryan. Pacific, at that time, may have served only railroad traffic. The large house served as a boarding house which produced a good income in later years when John suffered a stroke and was unable to work. The Gramatky home was placed at the exact spot where the Republic National Bank Tower is now located.
The family had also become large, adding Anna who became “Annie”, and Bernhard, who became “Bernie”.
Margaret Gramatky married Henry Saar, a Dallas businessman, who unfortunately died at an early age. Margaret, who never remarried, reared their three children: Sophia, Bernhard, and Louis. All four of the Gramatky girls were very attractive young ladies. A photograph is still around showing Margaret as “Queen of the May” at Ursuline Academy about 1882.
Wilhelmina Gramatky married Hugo Schultze, a saddlemaker and owner of a general merchandise store on Elm Street in Dallas. Their children were Julia, Wilhelmina, and Henrietta.
A double wedding was performed in 1897 at the Gramatky home. Anna Gramatky married Paul Hartman and Elizabeth Gramatky wed George Cretien.
Paul Hartman was an artist and photo portraitist. He made many of those fancy-edged-framed portraits of family members which graced the walls of most homes in the ’90’s. Paul and Anna reared three lovely daughters: Margaret, Elizabeth, and Pauline.
George and Elizabeth Cretien had three children: Charles F., Paul, and Eugenia.
George Cretien, born in the French colony just west of downtown Dallas, built a family home on five acres of land in Oak Cliff. The plot faced on north Tyler Street just north of Davis and King’s Highway. He was an excellent horticulturist and proceeded to plant a large orchard and garden. He was known as one of the first propagators of fine paper shell pecan trees in the area.
Bernhard Gramatky, Dallas businessman, married Blanche Gunner. Their three children were: Gunner, Hardie and Herbert. Bernhard (Uncle Bernie) died at age 39, and Aunt Blanche moved to California taking the children. Later Hardie Gramatky became a nationally recognized artist and writer of children’s books, most notable of which were the “Little Toot” series. Hardie was also one of the original animators of Walt Disney Studios.
Bibliography: Early Days in Dallas and Oak Cliff – Chas. F. Cretien at the Dallas Public Library
by Paul Cretien, Sr., Pottsboro
