My Genealogy Hound

JOHN HARTMAN, of the firm Combs, Hartman & Co., chair manufacturers of Tell City, was born in Bremen, Germany, January 6, 1827. He is one of a family of three sons and two daughters born to the marriage of David and Augusta (Werzola) Hartman, both of whom resided in Germany all their lives. At the age of fifteen John was left an orphan. He worked in a cigar manufactory, packing and assorting cigars until 1853, when he came to the United States and worked at the same business for four years in New York and Baltimore. He was engaged in a general merchandise business at Pittsburg for a short time, and in 1858 came to Tell City, where he pursued the same business until 1863. In 1864 he engaged in the business in which he still continues. The firm originally manufactured chairs and furniture, but in 1877 their buildings were destroyed by fire, and since that date they have devoted themselves to chairs exclusively. They employ fifty or sixty hands, making 120 dozen chairs per week. In 1856 Mr. Hartman married Ernstine Kauffeld, who died in September, 1863, having borne him four children. Those living are John, Mary (wife of Henry Nimsgern), and Augusta (wife of Adolph Schmidt). He married for his second wife Anna Grein, and to their union two children now living have been born, namely, Caroline and Matilda. Mr. Hartman is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.