An active member of the community, Joseph C. Gruman has been called county commissioner, precinct committeeman and school board member.
Joe was born April 2, 1907, in Springvale Township of Barnes County to Teresa Wolf Gruman (December 13, 1884 - June 17, 1970), and Charles Gruman (October 7, 1882 - March 9, 1959), immigrants from Hungary and Germany.
Joe grew up with four brothers - Frank, John, Carl and Edward; and twin sisters, Clara and Mary.
In 1927, Joe came to Jessie as a farm laborer for Lawrence and Edward Zimprich. In 1932, he struck off on his own farm north of Jessie. Romance blossomed as he courted Rosey Johana Fiebiger with a horse and sleigh. They were married on June 27, 1933.
Rosey Johana Fiebiger was born March 29, 1913, to Edward Francis Fiebiger (February 23, 1877 -August 5, 1959), and Mary Josephina Zimprich (April 9, 1887 - October 5, 1973).
Rosey grew up with five sisters - Mary, Martha, Ida, Annie and Florence; and five brothers - Edward, Lawrence, Frank, Richard and William. Her ancestors were from Mikelsdorf, Austria.
Joe and Rosey moved to a farm four miles west of Walum in 1940. They moved into Hannaford in 1966. Five sons were born to them.
Robert Joseph Gruman, born August 29, 1934, married Mary Alice Kelly. They have two sons, Joseph James and John Robert. He is a vice president at the Bank of North Dakota and has residences in Bismarck, North Dakota, and Aberdeen, South Dakota
Charles Edward Gruman, born April 29, 1937, married Carmen Sigrid Johnson. Carmen passed away in 1978. They had four children, Sue Ellen, Audra Rose, Karla Charlene and Mark Edward. Chuck farms and lives north of Hannaford.
Jerry John Gruman, born October 11, 1940, married Glenna Mae Becherl. They have three children, Cynthia Ann, Melissa Rae and Gary John. Jerry farms and is living in Hannaford.
Larry Frank Gruman, Jerry's twin brother, married Pamela Rae Lawrence. They have three children, Julie Ann, Kimberly K., and Wade Martin. Larry owns Family Hardware in Hannaford. He also farms and is living in Hannaford.
Allen Wayne Gruman, born November 19, 1945, married Nancy Irene Erlandson. They live in Sutton, where Allen is currently farming.
Rosey, Joe's wife, passed away on February 23, 1981. On December 18, 1982, Joe remarried Martha Margaret Kuklok, born August 15, 1915, in Tyrol Township. They are currently living in Hannaford.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 125