Sacramento County
Biographies
HENRY
FORTMAN
HENRY FORTMAN.--Among the more enterprising of the young business men of Sacramento, and consequently worthy of mention in this work, is the gentleman with whose name this sketch commences. Henry Fortman, or “Harry,” as he is generally known, is a native of Chicago, born on the south side of that great city, on the corner of Twelfth and State streets, August 25, 1860. His parents, Michael and Katie (Herbert) Fortman, are yet living, and reside in the vicinity of Downer’s Grove, Illinois. Our subject received his schooling in the public schools of his native city, and when he was nine years old he went to work for his father in the latter’s store, at 3446 State Street (new number). At an early age he acquired an interest in the business, and so continued until 1883, when he came out to California, and took a position with T. H. Cook & Co., Sacramento. He afterward changed to Christianson Bros., and was with that firm until May, 1889. On the 16th of May he started in business for himself on the northeast corner of Twentieth and J streets, in a building erected especially for him by Mr. J. M. Nielsen. It is 28 x 45 feet in ground dimensions, and two stories in height. Mr. Fortman was married at Chicago, May 26, 1883, to Miss Jennie Brody, a native of that city. Mr. Fortman was virtually reared to the grocery trade, and brings to his business here all the push and energy characteristic of the city of his birth and training. It has been only a few months since he started here for himself, and he has done everything on a cash basis. Yet, in that short time, he has built up a trade that many older houses could well afford to exchange for. His store is really already a busy place. Everything is in order and neat in appearance, and there is practically a wholesale stock to select from, as Mr. Fortman is building up a jobbing business with the surrounding country. Mr. Fortman’s enterprise and clear business acumen make him worthy of the success with which he is meeting.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of
Sacramento County, California. Pages 729-730. Lewis
Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.