Henry County Signal, Thursday, August 4, 1938:
Death Claims R. W. Hartman, Last Civil War Veteran
Final taps were sounded for Richard Watson Hartman, 95, Thursday when he passed on after a short illness at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kate Fahringer. Uncle Wat, as he was affectionately called, was Napoleon’s last survivor of the great Civil War.
He was born February 23, 1843, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hartman on a farm near Lancaster, Penn. When a child he moved with his parents to a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, and in 1850 came to Henry county when his parents settled on what is now known as the Belknap farm near the Round Bottom. His father secured this farm from the government paying $1.25 per acre for the tract. This farm home was one of the very earliest Methodist church centers, the homestead being used for church and Sunday school services. In this home influence Uncle Wat received religious training which dominated his life.
He attended country schools and as he reached manhood the great war of the states broke out and he enlisted in Co. F of the 68th regiment, serving four years with the Union army, seeing service at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson,Chatanooga, Vicksburg and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
In early manhood he was united in marriage with Rebecca Wilson and to this union one son Wilbur and a daughter were born, the daughter dying in infancy. Some years after the death of his wife Rebecca, Mr. Hartman was married to Elizabeth Suydam and to this union one daughter, Kate was born.
Upon returning from the war, Mr. Hartman engaged In the monument business for some years, selling to the late John Halter. He then took up a homestead in South Dakota, but the dust storms even then were too much for his bride and little daughter and the family decided to sell the farm and move back to Napoleon. Mrs. Hartman and daughter came by train, but Uncle Wat made the long trip back home via horse and buggy.
Some 50 years ago he started the Napoleon Green House which he operated many years, finally selling to his son-in-law the late Albert Fahringer.
Since that time, in fact up until a few weeks from his death, Uncle Wat operated a truck patch, being on the job every summer and late in the fall from early morning till dark.
He was one of a family of ten children: Charley, George, Nathan, Elizabeth Ann, Amanda, Thomas, Daniel B., Samuel Willis and Fannie, all of whom have passed on, with the exception of Willis. He is also survived by his son Wilbur of Weaverville, Calif., daughter Mrs. Kate Fahringer, and three grand children, Betty, Richard and Martha Fahringer, of Napoleon.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from St. Paul M. E. Church, Rev. C. B. Heistand officiating. His comrades of the Spanish-American and World War gathered to pay last respects and the local Co. L assisted in the military services. Interment was made in Forest Hill cemetery.
