An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, page 391.

SAMUEL E. BARTMESS, a leading business man of Hood River, is one of the
respected and highly esteemed citizens of Wasco county. He stands at the head of
a large furniture and undertaking establishment and also deals in all kinds of
building material. His trade is far reaching and has been gained by his careful
and upright business methods and constant attention to the interests of his
patrons.      

Samuel E. Bartmess was born in Dayton, Indiana, on September 15, 1853, the son
of Oliver Cromwell and Sarah (Clark) Bartmess. The father was born in Preble
county, Ohio, in 1819 and his father, Jacob Bartmess, the grandfather of our
subject, was born in Maryland. He married Sophia Riser. In 1829, they moved to
Indiana, being pioneer farmers of that country. Their ancestors came from
Germany. The father is now living with our subject. The mother of our subject,
was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1823 of English parentage and is now
deceased. Samuel E. grew up on a farm and after completing the graded schools,
took a course in the Otterbein university at Westerville, Ohio, graduating in
1879. After that he turned his attention to farming near Dayton, Indiana until
1890 when he moved to Hood River. A few months later, he bought out Hanna and
Zeigler, who were handling a furniture business. Since that time, Mr. Bartmess
has given his attention to his business, which is increasing and has closely
identified himself with this country. He is an energetic worker in all lines of
building and progress and has done a lion's share in building up Hood River.      

On January 27, 1880, at Dayton, Indiana, Mr. Bartmess married Miss Elda F.
Crouse, a native of that town. Her father was born at Germantown, Pennsylvania,
in 1812, and came of German ancestry. He was a physician and about the first one
in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he practiced for forty years. He was a very
prominent man and for two terms represented his county in the state legislature,
his name appearing on the Republican ticket. He married Miss Rachel Baker, a
native of Indiana and of English parents. They are both now deceased. Mrs.
Bartmess is finely educated, having graduated from the Logansport academy in
Indiana.      

Mr. Bartmess is a member of the I.O.O.F., while he and his wife belong to the
United Brethren church. He is a trustee of that denomination and was one of the
organizers of the church in Hood River and has been a devout and zealous worker
in it since. Mr. and Mrs. Bartmess are very active Sunday school workers and are
esteemed and highly respected people. Their son, Earl K., is superintendent of
the Sunday school. They have four children; Earl K., at home; Meigs, a graduate
from the agricultural college at Corvallis, now a member of the faculty of
Hill's Military Academy, Portland; Sallie A., a school girl, aged ten; and Marie
Louise, six years of age, who shows marked talent in music.     

Politically, Mr. Bartmess is a zealous Prohibitionist. He is a genial, bright
minded mans always interested in public enterprises and one who lives out his
faith in daily life, consequently, he has hosts of friends and stands
exceptionally well in the community.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.