Biography of 	HARTSON, Maurice J., Jefferson, TX, then Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller April 1998

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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, 
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 915-196.  Edited 
by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical 
Association.

Hartson, Maurice J., of New Orleans, insurance agent, was born in Jefferson,
Tex., Jan. 2, 1871, the son of Sigmund Hartson, a native of Hamburg, 
Germany, who came to America when about 20 years of age, and engaged in the 
wholesale dry goods business in New Orleans.  He moved to Jefferson, Tex., 
in 1870, opening a general merchandise store.  In the midst of a successful 
career he died in Jefferson at the age of 29 years, July 19, 1871.  His wife,
Alida Freche, born in New Orleans, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William
Freche, both natives of France.  Mr. Freche was engaged in the wholesale 
cooperage business, and was also widely-known as an expert in champagne and 
wines, and in the blending of these products.  He was for many years a 
resident of New Orleans, and was a successful man of affairs.  Mrs. Hartson 
remarried after the death of her husband, and is still residing in New 
Orleans, the widow of Dr. J. F. Mojonnier.  Maurice J. Hartson is her second
son by first marriage, the eldest having died when 6 months of age.  The 
subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, and the high 
school, of New Orleans.  After working as clerk for about 2 years on 
Mississippi river steamboats, he went to Orange, Tex., to take up a position
with the firm of Lutcher & Moore, lumbermen; thence moved to Birmingham, 
Ala., returning to New Orleans, and securing employment with the American 
Sugar Refining Co.; next entering the service of the Southern Pacific 
R. R. Co. as manager of the Poydras warehouse.  When that warehouse was 
absorbed by the N. O. Warehouse Co., Mr. Hartson was made manager of the 
latter, and was in charge until June, 1913, on which date he had been 
manager for 20 years.  Since 1904 he has been in the general insurance 
business.  He is vice-president of the Homeseekers' Building & Homestead 
association of New Orleans; was twice elected vice-president of the 
Louisiana Homestead league.  In 1904, Mr. Hartson was elected councilman-at-
large for the third municipal district of New Orleans, during of the most 
heated of political campaigns in New Orleans.  He was made chairman of the 
Public Order committee, serving 4 years.  In 1908, he was re-elected without
opposition, and again was chairman of the Public Order committee, until 
chosen chairman of the committee on Streets & Landings, to succeed Samuel 
T. Gately, deceased.  He also served on the Police & Public Buildings 
committee, and on the Finance committee.  Many important measures, for the 
good of the community, and of the district he represented, were adopted by 
the city council, through the efforts of Mr. Hartson.  He is a member of the
Woodmen of the World, and of the Knights of Columbus.  Married, Oct. 10, 
1900, Miss Marguerite Anne Calonge, daughter of F. W. and Augusta Corinne 
(Bienvenu) Calonge, of New Orleans.  Mr. and Mrs. Hartson have 7 children:  
Marguerite,  Lillian,  Maurice, Jr.,  James A.,  Mildred and  Miriam 
(twins), and  William J.  The family resides in Mr. Hartson 's handsome 
home, No. 2523 Columbus street.