John Hartwick. Prominent among the practical and progressive farmers and enterprising citizens of Clayton County is the subject of this biography. His industry, perserverance and energy are as well known as his name, and it is largely through their exercise that he has become the possessor of the finest residence in Giard Township. The house in 32X40 feet in dimensions, with an L 32X22 feet, and is not only commodious, but conveniently arranged as well. Born September 29, 1840, he is a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, where were also born his parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Schneider) Hartwick.

The father of our subject, Conrad Hartwick, was a farmer by occupation. In 1847 he emigrated to America and came at once to Iowa, where he settled in Giard Township, Clayton County. Here he purchased a partly improved farm on section 27, and to its cultivation and improvement he gave his attention until his death, which occurred July 27, 1890. His wife died in May, 1875. In religious faith both were valued members of the German Methodist Church. When the family left Germany John was a child of six years, and after a journey of seven weeks on the ocean, he reached America. He was educated in the public schools of Giard Township, and remained on a farm until attaining man's estate, when he took charge of the home place. At his father's death he received the entire estate of one thousand acres of well cultivated land, over six hundred acres of which he now has under cultivation.

In 1865 Mr. Hartwick was united in marriage with Miss Christina B. Arnold, the daughter of Fred Arnold, one of the early settlers of Clayton County. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hartwick has been blessed by the birth of three children. The eldest, Matilda, is the wife of William A. Mayer, of Giard Township, and they have three children, Otto, Gilbert and Clifton; Clara, the younger daughter of the family, married Rev. George Wessel, a minister of the German Methodist Church, now located at Dubuque, Iowa; they are the parents of one child, Lorena. The only son is named Theodore; he is a graduate of the Bayless Business College, and a young man of superior education and ability.

In religious connections Mr. Hartwick and his family are identified with the German Methodist Church, in which he has served as Steward. He is especially interested in the work of the Sunday-scool and has served as the Superintendent. For the past twenty-five years he has voted the straight Republican ticket. In local affairs he is a man of prominence and has served as Constable of the township, also in other offices. He is Treasurer of the Giard Creamery Company, and for a time was one of its Directors. His energy and perseverance have brought to him the success he so richly merits, and in fact, he deserves the credit of winning much from little. His labors are meeting with a well earned meed of praise and he is counted among the representative citizens of the county.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties;Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg. 515
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall