The Story of Marc Hartmann

The Story of Marc Hartmann

On the day of February 2, 1906 Mr. And Mrs. Hartmann’s new child, Marc, was born into the world. This just so happened to be same year of the San Francisco quake killing at least 3000 people. Ironically that quake shook the world the same day we landed in America. Perhaps it was a sign... Anyways, I was born into a fairly well off German family living in Mannheim, Germany.

Maximilian, my father (who prefers to be called Max for short), was born in 1884. In his early years he grew fascinated with the idea of the horseless carriage. As a young teenager he was lucky enough to land an apprenticeship with a well known mechanical engineer in Germany, Karl Benz. Mr. Benz’ passion, as well as my father’s, was in the design and development of the horseless carriage and the internal combustion engine, or more commonly known as the automobile. Mr. Benz was the first man to produce a practical automobile powered by internal combustion engine (with my father’s help of course). Karl’s knowledge and ambition must have been passed on to Maximilian because he now knew he had found this great love for the automobile. This perhaps is what landed him an awesome business opportunity with Henry Ford in America.

This opportunity was to be Henry Fords assistant lead designer. Remember, this is before Ford was hugely popular. That is why it was such a hard decision to make the move over to American life and business. He obviously made the decision to assist Mr. Ford because he felt it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and left for America with his wife 8 months pregnant. He ended up doing very well with Henry and was soon one of the highest paid designers in the industry at the young age of 22. When the Model-T (my father’s first basic design) hit the market hugely in 1908 it landed huge amounts of success for both The Ford Motor Company and my father as well. He gained status in his new country and was now a well respected man.

I myself was born on the boat ride over to the United States. Due to the unsanitary conditions on the ship as well as the severe weather, my mother, Sofie, unfortunately passed away shortly after going in to labor. When my grandparents, who lived in Mannheim, were informed they were devastated of course. My mother’s father, Jonas Bauer, and his wife Anna, had just lost their most prized possession and only child.

“It is the worst feeling any parent could possibly go through when they outlives their own children,” her Dad said in regards to her death.

“It is something that no one wishes they ever have to go through.” I can see where he comes from and understand why he feels that way. He also said that he is glad that I was born healthy and strong and looks forward to seeing me grow and succeed. They were discussing the idea of accompanying my father here in America to help raise me knowing how busy my father will be with his new job with Mr. Ford.

My father’s side of the family was a wealthy bunch