Butte County
Biographies
THEODORE AUGUSTUS HARTT
THEODORE AUGUSTUST HARTT.--A native son of California, “Ted” Hartt, as he is familiarly known, was born April 16, 1883, the son of Augustus Bolan and Elizabeth E. (Johnson) Hartt, both natives of Missouri, where they were married. The father served for a time in a Missouri Regiment of state troops in the Civil War. He was engaged in farming in Missouri until October, 1880, when he brought his wife and two children to California, and after a residence of two years at Vina, he located at Cohasset, Butte County, in the fall of 1882, homesteading one hundred sixty acres of land, which he improved with suitable buildings and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He set out ten acres of apple orchard, which is still bearing, being the oldest commercial apple orchard in the district. He helped organize Grafton School District, and was a member of its first board of trustees. Bolan Hartt resided at Cohasset until his death, July 2, 1910. His wife survives him, making her home at Cohasset. To this worthy couple were born nine children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Walter V. and Jackson Pierce, residents of Cohasset; Theodore A., of this review; Carrie, who is Mrs. Donaldson, of Yuba City; John, of Cohasset; Edna Gertrude, who is Mrs. Hatch, of Bonnie Doon, Cal.; Mary Ethel, wife of Murray Jones, of Magalia; and Arleta Mildred, who resides with her mother.
Ted Hartt was reared on the home ranch and educated in the public schools. After completing the Grafton district school he entered California College, Oakland, continuing his studies for two years, when he returned home and assisted his father on the ranch, giving his time and best efforts to his parents, until he was married. This event occurred in Chico, November 16, 1910, when he was united with Miss Matilda Sorenson, born at City Point, Jackson County, Wis., but reared in Onalaska, LaCrosse County, the same state. Her father, Peter Sorenson, a native of Jylland, Denmark, and a watchmaker by trade, was married to Johanna Petersen, also a native of Denmark, and who, with his wife and four children, migrated to Jackson County, Wis., about 1882, where he followed lumbering, and also worked at his trade in Jackson and LaCrosse County until his death, in Onalaska, in 1902. The mother afterwards came to California, whither some of her children had preceded her, and now makes her home in Bakersfield. Of the twelve children born of their marriage, nine grew up and are living, as follows: Samuel, of Portola; Peter, residing in Stockton; Theodore, at Stirling City; Margaret, Mrs. Horton, of Oakland; Marie, Mrs. Brown, of Bakersfield; William and Matilda, twins, the former residing in Oakland, the latter is Mrs. Hartt; Emma, Mrs. Stratton, of Oakland; and Hans, serving in the United States Naval Reserve. Mrs. Hartt was graduated at the Onalaska High School, in 1904, after which she taught school in La Crosse County, Wis., until 1907, when she came to California, making her home principally in Cohasset, until her marriage to Mr. Hartt.
After their marriage, Mr. Hartt entered the employ of the Diamond Match Company, first at Stirling City, and then at Lyonsville, until April, 1913, at which time he purchased the store at Cohasset from Samuel Sorenson, and has since continued the business, carrying a line of general merchandise. In May, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Cohasset, his wife being appointed assistant postmaster at the same time, both filling their offices to the satisfaction of the people of the community.
Mr. Hartt is clerk of the board of trustees of Grafton School District, with the same schoolhouse in which he attended school. He is also interested in farming and horticulture, owning twenty-one acres devoted to raising apples and peaches.
Mr.
and Mrs. Hartt have one child, Boyd Emerson. Fraternally, Mr. Hartt is a member
of Stirling City Lodge, No. 178, I. O. O. F., and Great Oak Camp, No. 136, W. O.
W., of Chico. In national affairs he gives his support to the Democratic Party,
and in 1918 was selected as a member of the grand jury. Enterprising and
progressive, Ted Hartt has always taken an active and leading part in the
affairs of the community, and given freely of his time and means towards all
movements that have for their aim the improvement of the locality and county,
and for enhancing the comfort of its citizens. In all these matters he is ably
assisted and encouraged by his faithful wife, who manifests a keen and active
interest in the welfare of the community.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 3/5/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 767-768, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies