BIOGRAPHY: Christian HARTMAN, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 655.

  CHRISTIAN HARTMAN, deceased, formerly of Armagh township, Mifflin county, Pa., 
was born in Mt. Wolf, York county, Pa., in August, 1816.  He is the son of 
Christopher and Barbara Hartman, who had twelve children:  Jacob;  John;  Isaac;  
Samuel;  Daniel;  Christian;  Leah (Mrs. Strahl);  Betsy;  Susan (Mrs. Cassel);  
and two who died in early childhood.  Christian Hartman's early educational 
advantages were limited to the district schools of York county.  When he was 
seventeen, he learned masonry, serving a full apprenticeship.  He had, however, 
worked at his trade only a short time, when he turned his attention to the 
cultivation of the soil.  When he was quite a young man, he went to Reedsville 
with a neighbor who had moved there from York county.  While in Reedsville, he 
met Miss Barbara Wilson, and was so charmed with Mifflin county, that, after 
spending one year at home in York county, he removed to Mifflin county, and 
began farming in the Stone valley, near Belleville.  Although Mr. Hartman 
removed several times after this, he never left Mifflin county.  After farming 
for some years in Stone valley, he moved to a place near Reedsville, and seven 
years later to a farm near Lewistown.  Here he spent four years, and, returning 
to Brown township, cultivated a farm there for ten years.  Every move had been a 
step in advance for the successful farmer, and he was now able to buy a farm of 
his own.  He removed to the homestead, a farm of about 112 acres, situated near 
Milroy, Mifflin county, March 22, 1876.  Mr. Hartman now turned his attention to 
improving his home.  The large stone mansion on the homestead had been built in 
1800, and here he enjoyed the well-earned reward of his care and toil.  With 
little capital except energy and perseverance, by industry, frugality and honest 
dealing, he won a competency for himself and family.  In 1888 the stone mansion 
and his large barn were destroyed by fire.  Far from being discouraged by this 
misfortune, Mr. Hartman began immediately to rebuild, restoring the house and 
erecting a much larger barn.  Mr. Hartman is a member of the Democratic party, 
but, although interested in politics, has never desired office.
  Christian Hartman was married in 1842, to Barbara Wilson.  Their children are:  
Elizabeth, died aged nineteen;  Frank, died at the age of fifteen;  Mary (Mrs. 
Samuel Hains), of Lewistown, died leaving three children;  Barbara, died aged 
nineteen;  John, left home in 1886, supposed to be dead;  Sarah;  Rachel;  
Joseph;  Hale;  and one child who died in infancy.  John Hartman left three 
children:  Parker;  Ellen;  and John, who is living with his uncle and aunt at 
Milroy.  Christian Hartman died July 7, 1895, aged seventy-nine.  His wife died 
March 18, 1895, aged eighty-one.  Mr. Hartman was a consistent member of the 
Lutheran church;  his wife was an active member of the Presbyterian church.
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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:  The author states that Christopher and Barbara Hartman had 
twelve children, but lists only eleven.  Twelve may be a mistake or he has 
omitted one name.