California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


AUGUST HARTWICK.� Possessing the fundamental characteristics 
for success. August Hartwick is keenly alive to the opportunities in Fresno 
County and has won a place for himself in his community, maintaining a stand- 
ard of true American ideals, though born under another flag. His birth oc- 
curred in Straub, Samara, Russia, October 10, 1876, and his parents, George 
and Katrina (Willdt) Hartwick, were farmer folk in that country. The second 
oldest of three children, and the only one living, August Hartwick was edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native province and assisted his father on 
the home farm until nineteen ; he then began working on ranches on his own 
account, and his marriage, May 15, 1899, united him with Miss Kathrina 
Wegele, born in Laub, Russia, a daughter of George and Lizzie (Gideon) 
Wegele. also farmers of Samara. 

In 1902 the young couple came to Fresno, and here Mr. Hartwick worked 
on ranches for a time and for the Southern Pacific Railway. In September, 
1905. he bought twenty acres of raw land in the Biola district and began the 
work of transforming it into a productive ranch. Pie built his residence and 
set out the acreage to Thompson seedless vineyards and orchards, and sowed 
alfalfa. He later added another ten acres, one and one-half miles west, and 
set this to Thompson vines and sowed alfalfa also, and operates a small dairy 
in connection. On the home place he has erected a residence and enjoys the 
comforts and prosperity made possible through his own efforts, and with 
the help of his estimable wife. 

Eight children have blessed their marriage : Mollie, Mrs. Friesen of Di- 
nuba ; Henry; Floyd; Esther; Ezra; Helen; Marie; and Alvina. The family 
attends the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Barstow. Mr. Hartwick 
is a member of the California Associated Raisin Company and. with his wife 
and family, is highly esteemed in the community.