An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. 1893 J.M. HART, the efficient and popular general manager of the Puget Mil Company's store at Utsaladdy, on Camano island, Washington, and a gentleman of long residence in the State, was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 19, 1866. His parents, F. J. and Eliza B. (Wilson) Hart, resided until 1876 on a farm in the Buckeye State, where his father was a tiller of the soil. In the year mentioned the family joined the westward tide of emigration, coming to Port Discovery, Washington, where the father worked for three years in the mills. He then removed to Port Angeles, in Clallam county, near which town he bought a farm, on which he now resides, principally engaged in stock-raising, in which he is very successful. The subject of this sketch resided with his parents until he attained his majority, attending school and learning telegraphy. In 1887 he came to Utsaladdy, on Camano Island, and took charge of the telegraph department in the Puget Mill Company's office, at the same time acting as clerk in the store. It is a sufficient testimonial to his ability and worth that he was shortly afterward promoted to the position of general manager of this large establishment while still acting as telegraph operator. In these capacities he is still employed. The Puget Mill Company are agents for steam tugs which ply between the ocean and sound, manufacture lumber, timber and spars, and deal extensively in general merchandise. The company have large and diversified interests, having agents in San Francisco, besides mills at Port Gamble, Port Ludlow and Utsaladdy. A very large amount of business is conducted, the enterprise being one of the leading industries of this country. By intelligence, industry and correct principles Mr. Hart has attained an enviable reputation in his community, and although young in years is a man of rare business ability and experience and an excellent manager. His popularity in business is but an index of that which he enjoys in the community at large, as is attested by his appointment, in 1891, to the responsible office of County Commissioner, to which he was elected to succeed himself in 1892. That this confidence is well placed is attested by his long business career, extending over a period of nearly ten years, during which his actions have never been subject to question, much less to derogatory comment. That this can be said of few men is the more reason why credit should be bestowed on whom it is due, and it is gratifying to note that his fellow citizens are of the same opinion. February 28, 1891, Mr. Hart was married to Nettie M. Moore, born in Machias, Maine, May 5, 1866, of an old and prominent family. Her parents, J.E. and Ellen (Campbell) Moore, were born in 1820 and 1833, respectively, and the former died in 1889, the mother still surviving in the enjoyment of universal respect and esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have one son, Harrison J. Hart. As in business, Mr. Hart is socially a favorite, his genial demeanor, liberality of sentiment and generous disposition combined to enlist the regard of those whom his more hardy qualities have attracted. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.