While looking through past issues of newspapers to compile a story, an unrelated but interesting story often “jumps off the page.” It is copied and filed away as a possible story in the future. Today’s story is an example. An article titled “Local girl who is now on the stage…” (Daily Eagle 20 Jan. 1920) reported that Miss Justina Hartsock had appeared in a drama at the Lyric Theatre in N.Y… and in the early part of the month appeared in the part of Phebe in ‘Light of the World,’ a modern drama of three acts put on by Comstock and Gest.”
When looking through 1930 newspapers, an article titled “Last Train Goes From Lancaster to Cincinnati” (Daily Eagle 30 June) caught my attention. The Pennsylvania Railroad was discontinuing passenger service. “The coming of the private autos and the buses had caused a gradual but steady decline in patronage of the railroad passenger line, until it became a losing business.” One of the train’s crew was Byron P. Hartsock, a brakeman with a service record of 37 years. He was to be assigned to another route. Thinking I recognized the name, his article was saved and also went into the “possible story” file.
Recently, when looking through this file, the stories of both Hartsocks were found and connected. The 1900 census shows that Bryon P. Hartsock (38 years old) had married Cora Hartsock (31 years old) in 1899, and they had one daughter, Justina, 7 years old. old. A short notice appeared in 1913 Daily Eagle stating Justina was a student of Ohio University, Athens, and planning to spend Easter with her parents. Feb. 28, 1919 this notice appeared: “Opening of Studio. Miss Justina Hartsock has opened a Studio of Elocution at 324 South Broad Street. Call Bell phone 294.” In July 1919, accompanied by her teacher, Miss Ann Lee Johnson of Columbus, Justina left for New York where they attended the Sergeant School of Expression. As noted in the first paragraph above, Justina then began appearing on the stage in NYC. When she returned to Lancaster for a visit and dinner party in her honor it was reported (DE 20 July 1923) she had finished a season with the New York theatrical company “The Cat and the Canary.”
The local newspaper kept up with Justina Hartsock’s travels. “Miss Hartsock is appearing in a vaudeville act at the Regent Theatre in Detroit and from there will leave on a tour thru the West (DE 17 June 1926). It was reported (16 Nov. 1927) Miss Justina Hartsock had quite a prominent part in the New York success “Broadway,” which was managed by Mr. Harry DeMuth, son of Jacob, who had lived on E. Main St. in Lancaster.
“Home Town Boy Again Picks A Stage Winner” was the title of an E-G article (26 Nov. 1926). “Henry DeMuth is proving again that he can pick a theatrical winner by assuming the management of ‘Lady Fair’ which, after a successful opening in the East, makes its bow to New York tonight.”The 1928 City Directory showed Bryon P. and Cora Hartsock living at 1125 S. Broad St. Cora was an active member of the Ben Butterfield Women’s Relief Corps No. 200, and was installed as President in Jan. 1930. When Cora hosted the Social X Club (16 May 1930) the newspaper reported: “Afternoon luncheon was served by the hostess assisted by her daughter Justina of New York who is visiting her mother.”
Mr. & Mrs. Hartsock moved to Waynesville (Warren County) OH. Justina Hartsock died in their home there on Nov. 7, 1937, at 45 years of age. “The late Miss Hartsock, former Lancaster resident, known on the stage as Justina Hart, was identified with several Broadway successes” (E-G 9 Nov. 1937).
Readers may contact Harvey at joycelancastereg@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Remember When. Lancaster’s Justina Hartsock found success on Broadway
Reporting by Joyce Harvey, Special to the Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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