| Notes |
- North Tonawanda NY Evening News - 7/12/1937
Captain Frank Hartman, one off
the most widely known tug masters
in this section of the country,
died late Saturday at his home,
376 Morgan street. For more than
50 years he had been in command
of tugs at the Tonawandas
and in Buffalo.
Captain Hartman was born on
Grand Island 74 years ago. His
father, the late Adam Hartman,
was a pioneer tugman in the Tonawandas,
owning and operating
such craft on an extensive scale.
From early boyhood Captain Hartman
took an active interest and
all his life was devoted to tugging.
When Captain Hartman's father
established the Hartman line in
the Tonawandas the former became
captain of several of his
boats, including the Tonawanda,
Gratwick and Constitution. These
tugs were operated in towing
lumber carriers on the Niagara
river. Those were the days when
the Tonawandas held the leadership
in the lumber markets of the
world.
Line Was Absorbed
In 1901 the Great Lakes Towing
company absorbed the Hartman
line and Captain Hartman continued
in the business by taking
charge of boats owned by the
company. These included the tugs
Georgia and Maryland. As master
of tugs owned and operated by the
Great Lakes Towing company
Captain Hartman's duties took him
to distant points. He was assigned
to a number of long distance towing
jobs by his employer because
of his ability to handle the most
trying marine service. During the
World War, when a number of
lake carriers were cut in two to
permit them to be towed to the
seaboard, he was assigned to the
job.
His last work as a tug master
Parwas
performed last January. In
February he was stricken with the
illness which finally resulted in
his death.
Had Wide Acquaintance
Captain Hartman had a wide
acquaintance among the volunteer
firemen of the Tonawandas. He
was the second oldest fireman in
point of service in the Union Hook
and Ladder company. He became
a member of the company 54 years
ago. Four years ago his fellow
firemen honored him with a 50-
year gold service medal. This token
of esteem was among the tugman's
prized possessions.
Captain Hartman was a charter
member of the Licensed Tugmen's
Protective association. He was a
member of the St. Francis church
during the greater part of the 55
years he resided in Tonawanda,
having come here from Grand Island
at that time. He was trustee
of the church for the past 35
years. He had been prominently
identified with the Holy Name
society of the church-
Member of K. of C.
He was one of the most active
of the members of Twin City
Council, No. 413, Knights of Columbus.
He was a fourth degree
member of the council.
His wife was the late Elizabeth
Fink Hartman. Surviving are two
sons, John A. and Alysius, Tonawanda;
five daughters. Sister Alicia
of St. Bartholomew's Convent,
Buffalo, Mrs. Raymond Mahar,
Mrs. Howard Sullivan and the
Misses Mildred and Norma Hartman;
six grandchildren, all of the
Tonawandas; a sister. Sister Hyonima
of Sacred Heart Convent,
Buffalo and a brother, Capt. Louis
Hartman, Tonawanda.
Rites will be held tomorrow
morning at 9:30 o'clock at the
residence, and at 10 o'clock at the
St. Francis church. The Very
Rev. John A. Weismantel will officiate,
and burial will be in Mt
Olivet cemetery.
The Following committee of the
Union Hook and Ladder company
has been named to look after
preparations for the funeral of
Captain Hartman: Albert Clark,
chairman; Louis A. Dahl, Clarence
Sauberan, Charles Kohler. Fred
C. Kumro and Frank Fitzsimmons.
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1862 - 1937 (~ 74 years)