Bios: George W. Hartman 1859 - : from Chamberburg, Franklin Co, PA 

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Transcribed from "History of Henry County Illinois" by Henry L. Kiner,
Volume II, Chicago:  The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910.  Alice Gless

GEORGE W. HARTMAN

One of the finest homes in the town of Atkinson is that occupied by
George W. Hartman, who is well known not only in Cornwall Township, but
throughout Henry County as well, as one of the large stockmen and the
most extensive peach grower.  This position and all its advantages have
come entirely through his own exertions, for he was only eighteen years
of age when he started upon his career unaided by any assistance from
his father.  He was born in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania,
March 3, 1859, and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Deffenderfer)
Hartman, both natives of the Keystone state.  The father was born in
1806 and in the years of his active life followed farming, engaging to
some extent in the buying and selling of stock and in raising and
disposing of fresh vegetables.  He died in the state of his birth in
1882, while his wife, who was born June 27, 1820, lived until October
20, 1901.  They were the parents of seven children, all living:
Charlotte, born June 18, 1840, now the wife of Daniel Gelwick, who lives
in Pennsylvania; John W., born January 5, 1842, whose home is in the
same state; Samuel, born April 11, 1846, also of Pennsylvania; Daniel,
born August 20, 1850, who lives in Pennsylvania; Henry, born May 13,
1855; George W., of this sketch; and Cyrus, born August 15, 1863.  In
politics the father was a Democrat and with his wife was a member of the
Lutheran Church.

George W. Hartman was educated in the little school of St. Thomas, near
Chambersburg, which was known as Gelwickıs.  He was eighteen when his
period of studying was over and immediately started in life for
himself.  For one year he worked on a farm in his native state and then
in the spring of 1877, came to Henry County, locating first in Geneseo
and later in Phenix Township.  For a period of five years he worked for
different farmers of the locality in the summer months and in the winter
was employed in the coal mines.  He then returned to his old home for a
yearıs visit, but as the advantages seemed to be better here he decided
to try his fortune in this state.  In 1891, he bought one hundred and
twenty acres in Cornwall Township, settled upon it and made it the scene
of his labors until two years ago, when he removed to Atkinson and has
here lived since.  The many improvements which can be seen upon his farm
are all the work of his hand and brain, the tangible evidence of the
success with which he carried on operations.  He has acquired forty
additional acres in Cornwall and one hundred and sixty acres in Atkinson
Township, making a total of three hundred and twenty acres of arable
land, not to mention the residential property, including a good corner
on State and Main Streets, which he owns in the town of Atkinson.  He
also operates a coal mine in Atkinson Township, so that his interest are
many and diversified.  His first thought, however, is given to the farm,
on which he follows general agriculture and on which he raises and feeds
a large amount of stock, which he ships to the eastern markets.  He has
ten acres on which are one thousand peach trees, the largest orchard of
its kind in the county, the crop from which in 1908 netted him one
thousand dollars, and in a previous year fifteen hundred dollars.  In
short, a man with several interests, he has made each yield him the most
possible.

When Mr. Hartman came to Illinois the first time, one of his early
employers was John P. Foster, whose daughter Nellie was but a child at
the time.  On leaving there the memory of her companionship remained
with him and when he felt able to marry he sought her and persuaded her
to share his life with him.  On the 6th of March, 1884, they were united
in marriage and have now celebrated their silver wedding.  Mrs. Hartman
was born in Cornwall Township, December 9, 1865, and is a daughter of
John P. and Harriet (Browning) Foster.  The mother was born in White
County, Illinois, in 1828, and was a daughter of parents who came to
Henry County in the early days, when the Indians were frequently seen
and had given the name of Pink Prairie to Cornwall Township.  The father
was born May 11, 1815, in Kentucky, but came to Illinois at an early
date, and in Cornwall Township engaged in farming until his death, which
occurred in December, 1886.  His wife passed away August 14, 1892, and
like him was buried in Grand View Cemetery, Cornwall Township.  By their
marriage, which was celebrated in 1844, they had nine children, five of
whom are now living:  Rowena, born August 15, 1848, the wife of Robert
Walever, of Moline, Illinois; Mary Frances, born October 9, 1853, the
wife of Ogden Tatum, of Oklahoma; William P., born October 4, 1857, who
lives in Atkinson; Lenora, born September 5, 1860, the wife of J. A.
Barnes, of Munson Township; and Nellie R., now Mrs. Hartman.
Politically Mr. Foster was a Republican and with his wife was a stanch
member of the Methodist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have had seven children, all living in Cornwall
Township.  They are Frank, born May 10, 1866, unmarried who lives upon
his farm; Charles H., born April 8, 1888, who operates his fatherıs land
in conjunction with his brother; Herbert B., who was born December 31,
1889; George H., born August 7, 1891, who is in the high school; Flora
E., born July 27, 1893, at home; Raymond R., born April 18, 1897, a
pupil in the grammar school; and Nellie R., born September 10, 1904, who
is still the baby of the family.

Politically Mr. Hartman affiliates with the Republican Party and has
held several of the township offices.  He belongs to the local lodge of
the Woodmen, among whom he has made many friends.  Successful in his
agricultural pursuits he has also attained to a substantial position in
the financial world, for he is a stockholder and trustee in the Savings
Bank of Geneseo and has other interests of like character.  Refined,
liberal and broad-minded, he has every reason to find enjoyment in his
good fortune and in the beautiful home he occupies in Atkinson.