Hartsburg celebrates 150 years

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[June 21, 2021] 

The weekend of June 18-20, the village of Hartsburg celebrated 150 years with a variety of fun filled activities.

Hartsburg was surveyed on June 22, 1871 by David Harts. The first residence was the Null residence and the first merchant E.L. Woolen. Many of the original town residents leased from the Scully family who owned quite a bit of land in the area.



Friday night began with a pork chop dinner served by the Hartsburg Fire Department.



Friday was rededication day with an opening ceremony that began with Olivia Garcia singing the National Anthem.



Hartsburg Mayor Norma Bathe served as chair of the 150th celebration. Bathe said she was honored to grow up and teach in Hartsburg for many years.



Bathe thanked the huge group of people who helped her put the celebration together.

She then had committee members come on stage for a ribbon cutting to officially kick off the celebration.



Golden residents and couples married the longest were given special recognition and plaques honoring them.


Ruth Aper


Gerald Lolling


Bill Lessen

Hartsburg has several golden residents in their 90s including Irma Leesman, Ruth Aper, former Mayor Gerald Lolling, Joyce Ubbenga, and Bill Lessen.



Roy and Pat Sebastian were recognized for being married the longest at 56 years.

Other couples recognized for 50 or more years of marriage were Ron and Sandy Crane, Gary and Geneva Eads, Mike and Delores Eads and Don and Alexis Asher.

Local dignitaries were awarded plaques for distinguished service to the community. These included past mayors Gerald Lolling and Tom Anderson.

A plaque in memory of Fred Ritterbush, who was mayor during the 100th celebration, was given to his family.

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Other plaques were given in memory of those who worked for the town for many years. These included Gene Bathe who worked with the water department and Tom Schmidt who did maintenance in Hartsburg for many years.


Jonathan Wright

Current local dignitaries recognized for their distinguished service included Logan County Board member Keenan Leesman, Eleventh Circuit Judge Jonathan Wright and Police Sargent Ryan Anderson. Each was asked to say a few words.



Leesman, the county’s District One representative, was a past treasurer for the village of Hartsburg. Leesman said this past year has been trying, but in all the uncertainty he has noticed what we have in common is faith, family and community.

In Hartsburg, Leesman said there is something special about the rural small town life and the values it holds. It is a great reminder we are all in this together. He urged the community to continue to be a good one and be its best self.

At celebrations 150 years from now, Leesman said he hopes that generation can reflect on what it means to be part of this community.

Judge Wright grew up in Chicago and said he appreciates how this community has embraced and welcomed his family. To Wright, Hartsburg stands out by people coming together, talking at the fence post and checking on each other.

Sargent Anderson thanked everyone who still believes in law enforcement.

Bathe then thanked Fire Chief Chris Boling for his hard work for the community and for allowing the use of the fire house for serving dinner.

Though the community is small, Bathe said it is big in heart.

The final part of the opening ceremony was the crowning of royalty for the 150th celebration. First, royalty from the 100th and 125th celebrations were recognized including Carla Conrady Jurgens, Ryan Anderson and Alyssa Eeten Klokkenga.

Contestants for Little Mr. Hartsburg and Little Miss Hartsburg drew pictures of their favorite part of Hartsburg, and these were displayed in the Hartsburg Bank the past few weeks. People voted for them by putting pennies in a container.

Little Mr. Hartsburg contestants were Everett Reinhart and Presley Payne. Little Miss Hartsburg contestants were Eliza Reinhart, Laney Coers, Claire Osborne and Anna Wrage.

Queen contestant was Faith Sanders, who had to write a short essay about how Hartsburg has shaped her life. There was no contestant for King.


Faith Sanders

The 150th Celebration royalty are Little Mr. Presley Payne, Little Miss Laney Coers and Queen Faith Sanders.

In her essay, Queen Faith wrote that the closeness of the community has brought her closer to God. She said the community has helped her see the best in people. Queen Faith considers Hartsburg to be one of the greatest places.



Other activities Friday evening included opportunities for horse and carriage rides around Hartsburg, several kid’s games, and an ice cream social.


Table four 2

Musical entertainment by pianist Joe Garcia and also the band Table four 2.

The little town square was abuzz with activity and people visiting on the first evening of Hartsburg’s 150th celebration.

[Angela Reiners]

Weekend coverage will continue on Tuesday.

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