Frank Gerhardt (Altmann) Altman (1860 - 1917)

Born 21 Jan 1860 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 21 Jun 1917 at age 57 in Jackson County, Missouri

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Biography

Frank G. Altman, grandfather of Robert Altman, was quite the entrepreneur, a strain that runs deep in the family. He learned the watch repair trade from a large jewelry store owner in Quincy, Illinois, and at eighteen, left town with a "thousand dollars represented in his own savings and with a loan of some capital from his father, which he soon paid back with interest." according to the American Historical Society, which documented the early Altmanns for a Missouri report.

Frank Sr. settled temporarily in Edina, Missouri, northwest of Hannibal, where he opened the first Altmann jewelry store. It was so profitable that, in 1882, at the age of twenty-one, Frank Sr. was compelled to relocate to the broader horizons of Kansas City, with its gemutlich community. Frank Sr. opened the next Altmann jewelry store at 725 Main in a building owned by the Scarritt estate. That's when, according to family lore, Frank G Altmann Sr. dropped the second 'n' in the last name. He was painting the outdoor shingle for the store when he just ran out of room.

By 1894, Frank Sr.'s net worth was estimated in contemporary newspaper accounts at $200,000, and he was looking for a bride. He found one in Annetta Matilda Bolt, of Peoria, Illinois, known to friends and loved ones affectionately as Nettie Bolt. The local papers mourned her betrothal to a delegate from another city. "As charming as she is handsome" reported one. "One of Peoria's fairest and most charming daughters," noted another. Her father, Benjamin Bolt from Bavaria, was described as "one of the oldest traveling men in the city and [he] slings a grip for the Wilson Grocery Company." ^[1]

Kansas City, June 25.—F. G. Altman, owner of the Altman building and the New Center building, died early Thursday at his home, 2114 Benton boulevard. Mr. Altman was apparently well Wednesday and spent all day at his office. At night he had planned to attend the graduation of his son, F. G. Altman, Jr., from the La Salle academy, but told his family he was slightly ill and retired early. He died at 2 o'clock. Death probably was caused by acute indigestion, physicians said.

Mr. Altman was born in Quincy, Illinois, in 1860 and educated in the public schools there. He, came to Kansas City thirty-five years ago and started a jewelry store at 725 Main street, then the business center of the city. About the time of his marriage in 1894 to Miss Nettie Bolt of Peoria. Illinois., he entered the real estate business. His first large venture was building the "New" Altman building in 1805 on the site previously occupied by the old Central Market house. He recently built the New Center building at Fifteenth street and Troost avenue.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nettle Bolt Altman; two sons and four daughters:

• Frank G. Altman, Jr., and
• Bernard Altman;
• Miss Fauline Altman,
• Miss Virginia Altman,
• Miss Marie Altman and
• Miss Annette Altman;

four sisters; Miss Rose Altman, Miss Louise Altman. Mrs. J. B. Woltman. Quincy, Ill, Mrs. C. H. Lawson, 1ST Olive street, and four brothers, Clem B. Altman. Albert Altman, Henry Altman and J. C Altman. all of this city.

Mr. Altman Is well remembered by older Quincy residents. He left hero in the early eighties, going to Edina, Mo., where he was a friend and neighbor of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Adams, now of this city.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Robert Altman: Jumping Off the Cliff, by Patrick McGilligan
2. ↑ Quincy Daily Herald, June 25, 1917

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62571403/frank-gerard-altman
• Read more about Frank Sr. in the book by Patrick McGilligan.