Fridolin Hartman

    Fridolin Hartman. - Among the early residents, prominent citizens and business men at San Buenaventura, we find the subject of this sketch. As his name indicates, Mr. Fridolin Hartman was born in Bavaria, Germany, and he dates his birth February 2, 1884, his parents being Bavarians. he was reared and educated in his native country. At the age of twenty-one he traveled in Austria and France, and was in Paris when war was declared with Germany. He came to the United States, landing in New York August 26, 1870. He first went to Philadelphia, then to Pittsburg, and on to St. Louis, Missouri, where he accepted a situation as foreman in a malt house. He next went to Kansas City, then to Denver, Colorado, and from there to Sacramento, spending a year and a half in the city brewery at Sacramento. Then he went to San Francisco, and, after spending two or three months there, he came to Ventura, in 1873, where he accepted a position in Mr. Greenwood's brewery. It was then a little wooden shanty, and, after working a year, he bought the property. He was so successful in his business that, two years later, he built the present two-story brick brewery.

    Mr. Hartman saw the desirability of owning real estate in a growing county like Ventura and in the city of Ventura, so he has made a number of investments. he bought lands, which he subdivided and sold, and in this way his property has accumulated. he became the owner of eighty feet on Main Street, extending the whole length of the block on Palm Street. On this he built a commodious residence. Seeing the need of a larger hotel in Ventura than the town possessed, he took stock for the purpose of building one. His lot on Main street being a central position, he put it in as stock, and Anacapa Hotel was erected upon it. This building is a very good one and would do credit to any city. It is 80x130 feet, is three stories high, and contains 100 well planned, spacious rooms, lighted by electricity and furnished in good style. The building has a mansard roof, and under veranda on Main and Palm streets, the whole length and width of the building. When it was opened in 1888, it was crowded with guests, and has since been a popular hotel. Mr. Hartman has since invested in the stock of the company until he owns the controlling interest in the whole property, and is now proprietor of the hotel. He also owns, and is conducting a ranch of 300 acres, about three miles north of the town.  This property he has improved by planting twenty-five acres in walnuts, also a large number of all kinds of trees, both deciduous and citrus. A portion of the farm is devoted to corn, wheat, barley and beans, and the rest is in pasture. Another piece of town property he owns is 100 feet front on the south side of Main Street, between Palm and Figueroa streets.

    Mr. Hartman was united in marrige, in 1874, to Miss Katherine Kaufman, a native of Minnesota. Her father, Michael Kaufman, came to the United States in 1820, and in 1849, with an ox team, crossed the plains to California. In crossing the plains, their company had a convoy of soldiers, which escorted them until it was thought they were out of danger. After the soldiers left them they were attacked by the Indians. Two men were killed and one of the women captured. They made every effort to regain the woman, but failed. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have had eleven children, all born in Ventura, in their present home, and all are living except one. Those living are Ludwig, Theresia, Fridoline, Karl, Katie, Anna, Lena, George, Fanny and Willy. The whole family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hartman is a Democrat, and has three times been elected to the office of City Trustee. He resigned his trusteeship when he was elected a Supervisor of the town. He has served in this office four years, and was chairman of the Board of Supervisors. During his term of service he was strongly in favor of improvements. The addition to the court-house was made, and the substantial brick jail and the hospital were erected. Mr. Hartman's success in life would indicate that he is a good financier.

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