Former Police Captain William Hartman, of 595 Centre Street, who suffered a stroke of paralysis two weeks ago, died early this afternoon at his home. "Cap" Hartman, as he was affectionately known, was 72 years old and had been an attache of the prosecutor's office for many years. Although he suffered a relapse last night, his condition improved this morning. At noon, however, he took another turn for the worse and died an hour later. A widow and ten children survive "Cap" Hartman. The children follow: Miss Helen, stenographer to Mayor Donnelly; Miss Emma and Mrs. Lillian A. Blackmon, schoolteachers; Mrs. Harry Hall, James, William, Frank, Charles, John and Harry Hartman. "Cap" Hartman was born in Crosswicks, N. J., May 6, 1849. He went to school in Crosswicks and then learned the trade of butcher. When he was 21 years old he moved to Trenton, located in the Sixth Ward and had been there ever since. In 1876 Hartman was appointed to the police force and remained there about a year, when he was appointed a letter carrier. He served in this position until his activity in politics lost out for him about five years later, and in May, 1887, he went back to the police force as a lieutenant. He was made a captain in 1893 and served with distinction until July 1903, when he was so unfortunate as to lose a leg. Then he was retired from the force. In stepping from a trolley car at Broad and Market Streets on his way to the Court House to appear in a case on trial as captain of the police department, he landed on the street with such force as to cause the shock to destroy the nerve in the leg. Seven weeks later the leg was amputated. In 1903, Hartman was elected to Council as a Republican in one of the strongest Democratic wards of the city. He served two years and in 1905 was re-elected by an increased majority. Satisfied with two terms, Captain Hartman wanted to withdraw, but in 1907 his friends insisted upon renominating him, but he went down in the Katzenbach landslide. He was also a candidate for the Republican nomination for sheriff in 1909, but was sort of a receptive candidate and was not in the running. After the nomination of Sheriff Freudenmacher, there was no harder worker in the ranks than Captain Hartman. Having been in the prosecutor's office over 20 years it is quite probable that Captain Hartman issued at least 200,000 supoenas. Previous to his appointment in the prosecutor's office, he spent 21 1/2 years in the local Police Department. He was prominent in a fraternal way and was connected with the following organizations: Mercer Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F.; Hamilton Lodge, No. 91, Knights of Pythias; St. John's Commandery, No. 2; Knights of Malta; Council 107, Senior O. U. A. M.; the Caliphs and the Republican Club. POLICE CAPTAIN'S WIDOW DIED TODAY Mrs. Hartman Long Prominent in Sixth Ward --- Born in Allentown June 28, 1924 Following an illness of about eight months, Mrs. Patience Hartman, 71 years old, widow of Police Captain William Hartman, died this morning at her home, 595 Centre Street. Mrs. Hartman was the daughter of the late Anthony and Martha Kennedy, of Allentown, N.J.. She moved to Trenton when quite young and for more than 50 years resided on Centre Street, this city. She was one of the oldest residents of the Sixth Ward. Mrs. Hartman was a member of Wesley M. E. Church and the Mothers' Circle connected with that church. She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Lillian Blackmon, Mrs. William H. Hall, Mrs. Bernard J. Walsh and Miss Emma Hartman; six sons, Frank C., John G., Harry W., James G., Charles C., and William C. Hartman; a sister, Mrs. Emma Tantum, of Allentown, and 18 grandchildren. Private funeral services will be held from her late home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Internment under direction of John Hartmann. The Rev. Christian Ernst, pastor of Wesley M. E. Church, will officiate. "Cap" and Patience's Tombstone Hartmans in Trenton City Directories Return to My HomePage |
| "Cap" Hartman's Career is Ended Paralysis Causes Death of One-time Trenton Police Official February 6, 1923 |
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