Hartwell, C. A. [Charles Addison]

Submitted by Mike Miller

Passport

Hartwell, C. A., president C. C. Hartwell Co., Ltd., New Orleans, was born at New Orleans, La., Aug. 13, 1869; son of Charles C. and Catherine (Lacy) Hartwell, the former of whom was born at New Orleans, 1839, and the latter in Ireland. The father was the founder of the business of the C. C. Hartwell Co., Ltd. He was educated in the public schools of New Orleans and after finishing at school learned the trade of a plumber, establishing a business on his own account in the year 1859. This business was successful from its beginning, and its steady growth has continued through the years until it has become one of the largest business organizations of its line in the United States. In 1903 the business was incorporated as the C. C. Hartwell Co., Ltd. While the date of this incorporation is comparatively recent, this business enjoys the distinction of being one among the oldest business institutions in New Orleans continuously in operation, this period of its active operations extending back over a practical business experience of more than 50 years. Following the period of the father's management of the business, it became a partnership between the sons, Samuel and Charles A. Hartwell, and this regime continued until 1903, when the before mentioned incorporation took place with C. A. Hartwell as president, Sam. C. Hartwell, vice-president. In 1904 Samuel C. Hartwell died, and A. A. Marx became vice-president, since which time no change has taken place in the personnel of the officers of the corporation.

The father, C. C.[Charles Chandler] Hartwell, died in 1904, at the age of 64 years. The mother's death occurred in Aug., 1901. Five children were born to their union, as follows: Eliza A., Ellen A., the latter having died very suddenly in Sept., 1913; Samuel C., 1900. C. A. Hartwell graduated from the Jesuit father's college, deceased; Charles A., subject of this sketch; Lawrence S., deceased, New Orleans, with the degree of B. A. and M. A. in 1886. During the first 6 years following his graduation he was in the sugar business, as chemist, being employed successively by William Agar & Co., the American Sugar Refinery Co., and Evan Hall plantation. In 1891 he entered the business of C. C. Hartwell & Co., and after a few years became manager of the business. After the brothers succeeded to the ownership of the business the management of its affairs was conducted between them, until the date of the final reorganization and incorporation. The company is in the plumbing and heating business, designing and manufacturing of lighting fixtures, and interior decorating of homes and buildings of various kinds and for a variety of purposes.

 June 19, 1901, C.A. Hartwell was married to Miss Elfrieda McGuire, of Chicago, Ill., in which city she was born, being a daughter of William A. and Antoina (Knaack) McGuire. Mrs. Hartwell's mother is a native of Germany, and her father of Chicago, but of Irish parentage. The father was a manufacturer of car trucks, and was one of the first to engage in that line of business in this country. He died in 1902, but is survived by his widow at this time. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell, as follows : William Charles, born in 1902, now attending Spring Hill college, Mobile, Ala.; Charles O., born 1904, now attending the Holy Name school; Catherine Antoina, 1905, attending school at Sacred Heart convent of New Orleans. Mrs. C. A. Hartwell is a graduate of the Sacred Heart college of Rochester, N. Y. The family is affiliated with the Catholic church. Mr. Hartwell is a member of the Knights of Columbus, New Orleans Lodge No. 30; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Chess, Checkers and Whist ; Young Men's Gymnastic and Southern Yacht clubs; a member of the board of directors Citizens Bank & Trust Co., and Guarantee Title Co., of New Orleans. He is vice-president of the Exchange bank of New Orleans, and was formerly president of the DeSoto Hotel Co., in which he is now the vice-president.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 529-530. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.