My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL HARTENSTINE, one of the prominent citizens of Lower Pottsgrove township, his lived more than three-quarters of a century. He was born August 1, 1825, being the son of John and Sallie (Gilbert) Hartenstine. He has all his life been a resident of the vicinity in which he now lives. He has been engaged in the occupation of a farmer since coming of age, and is a stone mason as well.

John Hartenstine (father) died many years ago, having been a widower for a long time. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, being very young at the time of his enlistment. At the time of his death he was sixty-three years of age. The mother was a member of the well-known Gilbert family who have long been among the most prominent residents of that section of Montgomery county.

Samuel Hartenstine spent his younger days in attending school in the vicinity of his home, and acquired a knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning, although the educational facilities in his younger days were much less complete than they are at present. Mr. Hartenstine has had a varied experience in the course of his life, having learned the trade of a shoemaker according to the custom of that day in that section of Montgomery county. Having followed this occupation for four years, and developing considerable business talent, he took up the business of merchandising on his own account and achieved considerable success therein. He also did a commission business, buying up articles of produce and disposing of them in Philadelphia or on the road between Pottstown and that city.

Having assured himself a comfortable maintenance and a respectable position in society by his untiring energy and industry, he looked about for a companion in life, and in 1850 married Miss Charlotte Seabolt, who died in May, 1904, daughter of John and Mary (Shick) Seabolt, also of Lower Pottsgrove township. John Seabolt was a farmer all his life, and died a number of years ago, being afflicted with blindness during his later years. His wife survived him only a few years.

After his marriage Mr. Hartenstine devoted himself to farming, in which business he is still engaged at the same location. His greatest delight is in improving his farm, he having remodeled and practically rebuilt the farm house, and erected four wagon houses. Having commenced farming in 1851, he has followed that occupation very successfully, and is now one of the most prosperous agriculturists of his section of the county. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought or held office, with the exception of the position of school director, which he has held for a number of years, being earnestly devoted to fostering educational interests. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

Mr. and Mrs. Hartenstine have had twelve children, of whom Henry, the oldest, died young. The others are: John S., resides in Philadelphia where he is the proprietor of a hotel; Ephraim S., a resident of Sanatoga, is engaged in business as a carpenter; Milton S., who is engaged in the express business in California; Mary, married Jacob Bliem, and lives in Pottstown, where he is a prominent brick manufacturer; Wilson S., resides with his parents; Sallie, married Harry Walt, who is a molder in Lower Pottsgrove township; Aaron S., is married, and is employed by the Sanatoga Park Company; Nathan, resides in Pottstown, where he is actively engaged in business; Elmer, who is one of the leading grocers of Pottstown, married Emma Wien; Eli, also a merchant in Pottstown; Harvey, lives in Lower Pottsgrove township, and carries on the butchering business in connection with his farm.