He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1876, attaining a law degree.

Bartlett resided briefly in Colorado before moving to Cooperstown, North Dakota, in 1883, becoming a pioneering businessman and citizen of Griggs County, North Dakota.

Bartlett also served as states attorney of Griggs County, and was a proponent of prohibition.

He served as the Republican lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 1901 to 1907, but later joined the Progressive Movement in 1912.

[2] He died on October 16, 1913, in Boston from a cerebral hemorrhage.