Hartman Brothers

At one time the Hartman Brothers general store was one of the biggest general stores in Elkhart County. It was owned and managed by brothers Jacob, John, and Tobias.

The store originally started in Hepton in 1871 with Jacob and their other brother, Samuel. In 1873 the store transferred to Locke and in 1875 Samuel disposed of his interest in the store to his brother John and Tobias. In 1876 the brothers started doing business in Nappanee. It was not until 1879 that their entire stock and interests moved from Locke to Nappanee. Jacob and Tobias ran the Nappanee store and John had stayed in Locke.

Jacob Hartman was devoted to the general supervision of the store. John Hartman was an ex-trustee of Locke Township and served as a Nappanee Trustee. He gave his attention to the sewing machine business. John also helped name the streets in Nappanee. Thanks to him we have both a John and Hartman Street. Tobias Hartman was "at home" in the grocery department and supervised the corps of efficient clerks.