58th annual Bulman family reunion held July 17
The 58th annual Bulman reunion was held Sunday, July 17 in Eitzen, MN at the Eitzen Community Center. A noon potluck dinner was enjoyed by the families of James Bulman. A business meeting led by Chairman Bruce Bulman of Caledonia, MN was held following the meal. Eighty persons were in attendance.
The five Bulman ancestors came to America from Little Thetford, England, which is seventy miles north of London, in the 1850s. A sailing ship took them to New Orleans, LA and then up river to Evansville, IL. For approximately five years, they stayed there before settling in English Bench near Dorchester.
David Wiedenmann from Foster City, CA traveled the farthest to attend this year’s reunion. David Wiedenmann is the descendant of the first settler, Thomas Bulman.
Carter Schatz, born in March 2015, was the youngest family member attending this year. Carter Schatz is a descendant of the George Washington Bulman line.
The oldest family member present was Lois Bulman Wiedenmann, age 93, of Waukon, from the Thomas and Phoebe Bulman line.
James Bulman worked the hardest to attend by riding his bike from Waukon to Eitzen and back.
The attendees were asked to introduce themselves and tell everyone where they are from.
Officers elected include Chairman Bruce Bulman, Receptionist Jan Bulman Ruben, Treasurer Evelyn Wenig Staggemeyer, Secretary Kathy Wiedenmann Campbell and Historian Laina Meyer Ford.
New twigs on the family tree include Kingston Brown, Ada Marque Bulman, Arya Claire Rae, Carter James Schatz, Aubrey Elise Volkman and Ryker Larry John Turner.
Losses through death include David Dobbs, husband of Jeanne Bulman Dobbs; Daniel Schoffelman, son of Shirley Bulman Schoffelman; Loretta Gaugh, wife of Terry Gaugh; and Daniel L. Schatz, husband of Debra Nash Schatz.
Marriages include Chris M. Bulman and M’ Liss M. Burrier, Carl D. Schatz and Brianna K. Johnson, and Kevin Bulman and Megan Hartley.
Group photos were taken by families at the reunion. Next year’s Bulman family reunion is scheduled for the third Sunday in July, which is July 16, 2017, in Eitzen, MN.
