Laumann Yosemite Collection, c. 1908, 1923, MS 153

Pages: Collection Summary | Biographical Note | Scope and Content

Biographical Note

Image © Laumann Yosemite Collection, MS 153, Cal Poly.

Pioneers of Sonoma County, California, the Laumann family originally immigrated to the United States from Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, settling in Peotone, Illinois. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Lawrence and Margareta Laumann came to California by wagon with son John Laumann. John and his wife Hannah had six children, including Frank Emil Laumann, who was born May 8, 1888, in Sonoma County, California and Amelia, known as Millie, who was born in 1895.

Frank Laumann married Dorothy Meyer on February 25, 1914, in Sonoma County, and they made their home in Fulton, California. Frank owned a woodshop, built small houses, ran a store, and weighed plum-filled trucks. Their son George C., who taught mathematics at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo for 27 years, was born April 7, 1915. As a boy, he helped his father and learned woodworking skills from him. He attended local schools before going to the University of California at the age of 16.

George Laumann served stateside during World War II, making the rank of staff sergeant. He married Una Bergmann in 1950, returned to college and earned his bachelor's degree in 1952, his master's degree in 1953 at Chico State, and also did additional graduate work at the University of Oregon and UCLA. He began teaching mathematics at Cal Poly in 1957. His love of nature was shared with his family until his death at Wawona campground at Yosemite National Park on June 4, 1984. His wife, Una, established the Cal Poly George C. Laumann Scholarship in Mathematics in his memory.

Sources

Pages: Collection Summary | Biographical Note | Scope and Content