William H. Zartman
The honor of being the first mayor of Petaluma under the Freeholders charter belongs to William H. Zartman, the eldest son of that well-known pioneer, William Zartman, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. William H. Zartman was born October 7, 1854, in Petaluma, where his entire life thus far has been passed. He received his primary education in his home city, supplementing this later by a course in the San Francisco Business College. Returning home at the end of his college course he entered his father’s carriage-making shop and learned the business in all of its details, and in 1884 became a member of the firm of Zartman & Co. The introduction of new blood into the business was not without its effect, a marked increase in all its departments at once becoming noticeable, and upon the retirement of the father from business in 1898, is half share was assumed by the son Frank, and since that time the two sons have continued the business which their father had founded in the early ‘50s. The business was established on Main street and was continued there until about 1861, when it was locat3ed on Western avenue and Keller street, the present site of the Methodist Church. The elder Mr. Zartman sold his interest there about 1868, after which he started the business at its present location at the corner of Western avenue and Hawood street. About 1872 William H. Zartman began his apprenticeship to the carriage-making business, and since 1884 has been actively interested in its management. The firm have about one hundred and thirty-seven and a half feet on Western avenue built up with shops, and one hundred and fifty feet of buildings in Hawood street, comprising the most complete machine shop and carriage-making plant in the city, electric power being used. Besides their own make of vehicles they have the agency of the McCormick harvester machinery, Fish Brothers wagons, Perry Manufacturing Co.’s carriages, and a general stock of other well-known manufacturers’ goods.
The marriage of William H. Zartman occurred in 1889 and united him with Miss Lula W. Hopkins, a native of California and the daughter of Samuel J. Hopkins, a pioneer settler in the state. Like his father before him Mr. Zartman is interested in the upbuilding of his home city, for some time serving as city trustee and also as a member of the school board, and is now a director of the Petaluma Savings Bank, one of the most substantial monetary institutions in the county.
Outside of his family and business and official duties there is probably nothing in which Mr. Zartman is more interested than the fire department of Petaluma, of which he was a member from the time he was in his teens, and of which he finally became chief. He served as chief of the department for about five years, when he resigned to undertake the new duties devolving upon him as mayor of the city. As Petaluma Engine Company No. I it was organized June 10, 1857, William Van Houten being the first foreman, he being succeeded in 1876 by William H. Zartman. Hook and Ladder Company No. I. was organized November 27, 1857, with J. N. McCune as foreman. Sonoma Engine company was organized January I, 1864, Fred Frazier being made foreman of this company. On April 3, 1867 Young America Engine Company was organized with William M. Brown the first foreman in charge. The present equipment of the department consists of two hose companies, one engine company, one hook and ladder company, and one hose company of paid men, who are on call at all ties. The department is further equipped with a splendid fire alarm box system of seventeen boxes, well distributed throughout the city. From the time of the organization of the fire department in 1857 it has been one of the most efficient of the city’s public institutions, and by prompt aid thousands of dollars have been saved to the citizens on many occasions. The citizens of Petaluma have always recognized the obligations they owe their firemen and have endeavored in every way to help and encourage the brave men who risk their lives to avert destruction and possible death.
In the session of the legislature in 1911 the new Freeholders charter of Petaluma was ratified, Mr. Zartman having been a member and chairman of the committee that drew up the charter. His popularity among the citizens and his fitness for the position of mayor led to his nomination for the office on the Republican ticket, and in April, 1911, he was elected by over five hundred majority, oath of office being taken April 18. Fraternally Mr. Zartman is a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., Relief Encampment No. 29, and Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., in all of which he has passed all of the chairs.
History of Sonoma
County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
May 22, 2012 Pages 756-758
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