BIOGRAPHY
Estelle Thompson was born in Manhattan, August 28, 1894, the daughter of George Thompson and Mamie Crofut.  George and Mamie had two daughters: Estelle Thompson and Grace E. Thompson.  Grace was born March 1893 and died before January 1909.  Estelle never forgot her sister as she named her only daughter Grace. 

After her husband George Baumgartel died in 1957, Estelle was living in Grandview, Washington, where her son Robert was living.  Whether she moved there to be closer to her son, or moved there with her husband isn't known.  Robert Baumgartel must have sat on the Grandview School board, as he was mentioned in an article in The City Herald related to the hiring of a teacher.
 

GRANDVIEW – The hiring of a recent Central Washington State College graduate resulted in a quarrel Tuesday night among school district officials.

The disagreement occurred when director Robert Baumgartel wanted to know why the graduate was being hired as a junior high teacher instead of a former Grandview teacher who also applied.

“The boy has a bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in physics and he wrestled in high school so we can also use him as a coach,” Supt. Darrell Smith said.

“We’ve got enough coaches now,” said Baumgartel. “Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to hire a person with a master’s degree and four years experience in the school district than someone we don’t even know?

“She applied in December or January and has been pounding at your door ever since,” he told Smith. “Now all of a sudden she finds out she didn’t get the job.”

“You’ve always approved my hiring recommendations before,” Smith said.

“If you are not happy, then you had better straighten me out.” Smith added.

Then the board went into executive session and agreed to unanimously approve Smith’s request.

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Copyright © 2006 Sheila McKisic & John McVay. All rights reserved.