Macoupin County
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Biography - O. C. HARTLEY

This worthy and esteemed citizen, who is classed among the progressive and enterprising business men of Carlinville, is a gentleman greatly respected for his sterling worth, and is one of the representative men of Macoupin County, Illinois. He was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1868, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Schnatterly) Hartley, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch and the latter of Pennsylvania Dutch descent.

James Hartley came to Macoupin County in 1882, and at once engaged in farming, which he has followed up to the present time. Three children were born to him and his wife, of whom one died in infancy. The others are Robert L., and O. C., the subject of this sketch. Politically Mr. Hartley is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

O. C. Hartley, the subject of this personal sketch, received his preliminary educational training in the common schools of Macoupin County, and from 1889 to 1894 attended the Bushnell Normal School. After completing his course in that institution, he engaged as a school teacher for several years, during the winter months. His political views favor the Democratic party, and he is prominently identified with that party, having been elected county clerk in the fall of 1898, receiving a majority of 400 votes over his opposing candidate, J. R. Duckies. He efficiently filled that position for four years. He then engaged as traveling salesman and collector for Swift & Company, of East St. Louis, Illinois, and after a time was assigned to Kentucky territory, remaining there until February 23, 1903, when he resigned on account of trying to recover from an accident which befell him while in the employ of that company. After a short vacation he engaged with the recently-formed corporation, known as the International Harvester Company of America, combining the best known companies in the United States, and he is acting as salesman and adjuster and has met with much success. His territory covers the counties of Montgomery, Macoupin, Greene, Jersey, Scott, Calhoun and Pike. In fraternal circles our subject is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Hartley was married in 1894 to Florence M. Childs, and they are the happy parents of two children, Gladys L. (deceased), and Beatrice C. In the spring of 1902 he was a candidate for Representative, but was defeated.


Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 200-201.


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This page was last updated 07/01/2022