“Mr. Hartman was born March 18th, 1835, in the city of New York. He is of German parentage, and received but a common school education. When about fifteen years of age he went to work in the tobacco manufacturing establishment of John Anderson, in New York city, and left there about two years after, to enter the establishment of C. H. Lillienthal, where he remained about seven years, when the establishment was destroyed by fire. While employed there, his right hand was caught in the machinery, by which he .lost part of his thumb, and came near losing the hand.

He joined the Fire Department July 31st, 1856, as a member of Live Oak Engine Company, No. 44, in the old Volunteer Fire Department, and served his full term. In 1861, he assisted in raising a company in the Anderson Zouaves, afterwards known as the Sixty-second Regiment New York Volunteers. He was elected Second Lieutenant, and served nineteen weeks, when he left the service on account of losing a son, about three years old, by death. In the Fall of 1861, he took an active part in politics with his party (Democratic). On the 20th day of January, 1862, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Street Department, at a salary of one thousand dollars per annum, which was increased to fifteen hundred after he had been there a year.

In 1864 he joined one of the companies of the Eightyfourth Regiment, National Guard, State of New York, as a private," and was only five weeks a member when he was promoted to a first lieutenancy. The regiment was called out to serve one hundred days, and he accompanied it, serving in Maryland and Virginia. After returning home he was again promoted, to a captaincy, but resigned in May last, on account of business engagements.

In the Fall of 1865 he was nominated and elected Councilman in New York by a large majority, notwithstanding there was great opposition to him. He was re-elected the following year for the term of one year, when the Legislature of I86'? extended the term another year. In 1867, he was elected to the Assembly from the Tenth District, New York city, on the Tammany Hall ticket, by twelve hundred and fifteen majority. The preceding year the Tammany Hall candidate had been defeated in the district by two hundred and ten votes. The district has a strong German population, and his constituents have great confidence in him. On the 15th of February, 1867, they presented him with a splendid gold watch. He is a man of ready parts, very popular in the House, and faithful in the discharge of his duties.”