H. W. Hartenbower, a Butler county pioneer and successful farmer and stockman, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Putnam county in 1850, and is a son of Jeremiah and Maria Hartenbower, the father a native of Germany and the mother of Kentucky. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Maria Brown, Leith, N. D.; Mrs. Frances C. Towl, Los Angeles: John H. died at Douglass; Andrew died at Douglass; J. J. died in Los Angeles, Cal., and H. W., the subject of this sketch.

H. W Hartenbower received a good education in the public schools of Illinois, and afterwards attended Lombard College, at Galesburg, Ill. He later was a student at Notre Dame College, South Bend, Ind. When he was twenty-two years of age, in 1872, he came to Butler county and bought a farm of 160 acres on the Little Walnut, about three miles east of Gordon, in Walnut township, for which he paid $1,350. While in Illinois, in 1874, which was grasshopper year, he sold his place and the same year returned to Butler county and herded cattle on the range, northeast of El Dorado, for two years. In 1879 he bought another 160 acres, part of which was in Walnut and part in Douglass townships. This place was slightly improved and had a small cabin on it. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising and met with success. In 1913 he removed to Douglass, where he has since resided. He has added to his original farm, as opportunity presented itself, from time to time, and is today one of the large land owners of Butler county. He owns 1,940 acres, 1,230 acres of which are in Walnut township and 560 in Clay, and he also has a handsome modern residence in Douglass. He has 160 acres under alfalfa, and he considers alfalfa one of the most important crops of Butler county. He also raises large quantities of corn. He has dealt extensively in cattle and has given a great deal of attention to feeding cattle for market, and during the past winter has shipped nine car loads to market, and now has considerably over a hundred head in the feed yard.

Mr. Hartenbower has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and in 1880 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served for three years. During his administration of the affairs of the county he gave the public business the same conscientious attention that he gives to his own business, and with very satisfactory results to the taxpayers of Butler county. During his term as county commissioner, Douglass bridge, across the Walnut river, was constructed, and also

the Aaron Barnes bridge, across Muddy creek. Mr. Hartenbower is a member of the Masonic lodge at Douglass, and is a Royal Arch Mason.

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