Hartman Bache facts for kids
Hartman Bache (born September 3, 1798 – died October 8, 1872) was an American engineer. An engineer is someone who designs and builds things. He helped build many of the first lighthouses on the West Coast of the United States. Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights that guide ships safely.
Bache also drew many sketches of these lighthouses. These drawings are now very important for learning about early American lighthouses. Besides lighthouses, he also worked on building railroads, canals, and military defenses.
Early Life and Family
Hartman Bache was the youngest son of a journalist named Benjamin Franklin Bache. Sadly, his father died just one week after Hartman was born. Hartman Bache was also the great-grandson of the famous American inventor and statesman, Benjamin Franklin.
In 1818, Hartman Bache graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a special school for training military officers. Even though he was 19th in a class of 23 students, he quickly became a Captain. He joined the Corps of Topographical Engineers. This group of engineers focused on mapping and building important structures for the country.
In 1829, Hartman Bache married Maria del Carmen Meade. Her father, Richard W. Meade, was a merchant. Maria's brother, George Meade, later became a well-known general in the Civil War.
Career and Contributions
In 1831, Hartman Bache was chosen to be a member of the American Philosophical Society. This is a famous group of smart people who discuss science and knowledge.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Bache was working as a lighthouse engineer. He held the rank of major. Soon after the war started, he took over from John James Abert as the Chief of Topographical Engineers. During the war, he spent a lot of his time working on projects along the East Coast.
In March 1865, he was given the honorary rank of brigadier general. He retired from his work in March 1867. Hartman Bache passed away in his hometown of Philadelphia. He was buried in Woodlands Cemetery.
