Kuhlman, Hazel C.

Biographical History

Hazel Christine McIntosh Kuhlman was born at home in Roseville on March 14, 1892 to Alice W. McIntosh and William McIntosh. With the exception of a few years, Hazel lived most of her life in Roseville at the same house where she was born at the triangle lot at 205 Washington Blvd., bordered by Main St. and High St.

William was born in 1856 in Canada and became a citizen on July 31, 1886, after moving to Placer County where he bred horses. Hazels mother Alice W. Entwistle was born in Iowa Hill, Placer County on September 4, 1864 and earned her teaching certificate in 1887. She taught grammar school until she married William on June 6, 1889. After his death nine years later, Alice resumed her teaching career. She taught in Roseville schools until 1923, when she left to teach at Center Joint School until her death on December 25, 1931.

Hazel graduated from Sacramento High School in 1912 and continued on to California State Normal School, San Jose for her teaching degree, which she received in 1914. In 1920 the California State Board of Education awarded her a Life Diploma to teach primary or grammar school. Hazel lived with her mother and taught in Placer County from 1914 to 1920. She then left to teach in Merced County before settling in Sacramento, where she worked at Crocker Elementary, John Muir Elementary, and William Land Elementary Schools. She retired on June 14, 1957.

While at San Jose, Hazel met her future husband Harry Fred Kuhlman. Harry was born on December 10, 1893 in Chicago, Illinois to Frederick J. and Anne M. Kuhlmann. Together with his parents and brothers Charles and Walter, Harry moved from Chicago to San Jose in 1912. After college he traveled the Northwest with a friend, eventually getting work as a Ford salesman. After the U.S. entry in World War I, Harry joined the 22nd Aero Squadron, USA, Royal Flying Corps in 1917 where he trained in Leaside, Ontario Canada. He then continued training at Camp Taliaferro in Hicks, Texas before leaving for France. At the end of the war he moved to San Francisco where he worked as an engineer in material testing and research and inspector for the Bay Bridge for the California State Dept. of Highways. Harry was a member of the State Employees Assoc. and the Placer Co. Historical Assoc.

In addition to her love of teaching, Alice passed along to Hazel her love of travel. Together, both women traveled throughout Northern California. They also remained active in the community, joining the Minerva Rebekah Lodge No. 72 of Roseville. Hazel was a life member of the California Teachers Assoc., National Education Assoc., and the PTA Retired Teachers Assoc.

After a long courtship, Hazel and Harry married on August 14, 1931 and settled in Sacramento. Four months later Alice McIntosh died of pneumonia. The newly married couple moved to the Roseville house where Hazel was born. Harry died on March 6, 1972 and Hazel followed on March 29, 1974. The childless couple left the bulk of their estate to California State University, San Jose.

From the guide to the Inventory of the Hazel McIntosh Kuhlman Collection, 1865-1974, (Roseville Public Library History Collection)