BIO: Reuben B. HARTMAN, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ R. B. HARTMAN. In the career of this gentleman we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the field of active life, of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious. He is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Heidelburg township, Lehigh county, April 19, 1820, and he is a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Bysell) Hartman. The father, who was born, reared and married in the same county, was a son of Jonathan Hartman, who there died. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Peter Bysell. About 1824 Simon Hartman removed to Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., where he engaged in farming for a time, when there were a great many wild animals in the forests, such as wildcats, wolves, panthers and bears, who would approach the house and carry off sheep and hogs COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 291 as their prey, and could often be heard at night. Later Mr. Hartman followed weaving in the town of Hartleton, in the same county, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-one, and he was there buried. He was a Whig in politics, and an earnest member of the German Reformed Church, as was also his wife. She passed away in Millheim at the age of seventy-three years, and was laid to rest there. In their family were the following children: Lydia, who married William Hazel, and died in Wooster, Ohio; Saloma, who married George Catherman, and died in Union county, Penn.; Peter, who died in Wooster, Ohio; R. B., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who married John Royer, and died in Hartleton, Penn.; Rebecca, who married John Swartz, and died in Millheim; Caroline, who married James Rouch, and died in Clearfield county, Penn.; and Henry, and another that died in infancy. The early educational privileges which our subject received were not of the best, and his teachers often permitted the scholars to play rather than study. He was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and on leaving home worked at farm labor for others. In 1839 he started out to fight life's battle, and on the 19th of May of that year arrived in Millheim with all his possessions on his back, his capital being his ambition. He first worked for John Harter, the pioneer carriage and wagon maker of the place, with whom he remained for several years. During that time, Mr. Hartman was married, June 1, 1843, to Margaret Harter (a daughter of his employer), who was born in Millheim, December 12, 1824, and whose mother bore the maiden name of Mollie Shreffler. Eleven children blessed this union: Sarah J., who died in infancy; C. W., a molder, of Millheim; Mary E., wife of John Harshbarger, of the same place; Anna M., wife of Willis Weber, of Rebersburg, Centre county; Amelia M., wife of Leonard Stover, of Haines township, Centre county; Lydia R., wife of Philip P. Leitzel, of Millheim; John H. B., who is in partnership with our subject; William, a machinist, of Millheim; Minnie, wife of Adam Harter, of the same place; and Thomas and Gertie, who died in infancy, Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hartman began peddling the old Hathaway cook stoves, manufactured by Search & Rockey, selling them throughout several counties in Pennsylvania, and later became foreman in their foundry. After acquiring considerable experience, he in company with his brother-in-law, J. D. Foote, purchased the foundry then owned by Haupt, Cummings & Haupt, which they conducted under the firm style of Foote & Hartman, manufacturing stoves, implements, mill gearings, plow points, and castings in general. At the end of seven years, Mr. Hartman sold out and made a trip to Illinois, with the view of locating in the West, but soon returned to Millheim. He stopped at Bellefonte on his way back, and at a sheriff's sale purchased the property which he now owns. To the coach shop already standing he added a foundry, with which he has since been connected; but is now practically living retired, leaving the active business management to his son. Besides his own comfortable residence he has also erected five others for his children. Always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, he has sold many thousand dollars worth of goods on credit to men who were unable to pay for them at the time, and much of which he never collected. Integrity, honesty and fair dealings have characterized all his transactions, and his word has ever been considered as good as his bond. Mr. Hartman was a Democrat in politics until 1892, since which time he has voted the Prohibition ticket at State and National elections, but on local affairs votes independent of party ties. He has served as a member of the council and school board of Millheim, but cares nothing for official preferment. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, while, religiously, both himself and wife have been active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1842, and for half a century he has served as class leader. They are earnest, sincere Christians, and their home has ever been the headquarters for visiting ministers. During the fifty-three years that have passed since they were made man and wife, they have been true to the vows taken, and Mrs. Hartman has proved a true helpmeet to her husband, cheering him in hours of sorrow and adversity, and aiding in securing their present prosperity, which is so richly merited. 1860 Penn Township, Centre County census - Reuben Hartman, 40 Margaret Hartman, 36 Wesley Hartman, 15 Mary Hartman, 13 Anna M. Hartman, 10 Wm M. Hartman, 8 Lydia Hartman, 6 John H Hartman, 3 Wm. M. Hartman, 3/12