Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery
p. 486
Surnames: HARBSTER, MATTHEWS, DEEM, TYSON, GETZ, PEACOCK,
McCONNELL, KLINE, MILLER
Howard E. Harbster, who makes his home at No. 138 West Oley street,
Reading, is a representative of one of the city's oldest families.
He was born March 2, 1861, in Reading, son of William and Ellen
(Matthews) Harbster, the former the founder of the Reading Hardware
Company.
Mr. Harbster received his education in the
schools of his native city, and when a boy entered the employ of
the Reading Hardware Works, known as "Harbster's." In the fall of
1877 he entered a preparatory school to make himself ready to enter
Yale College and remained there for two and one-half years, but
before completing the course left to enter Eastman's Business
College, after graduating from which, in 1881, he again found
employment with the Reading Hardware Company, working in the
various departments of this great enterprise until after his
father's death, in June, 1885. In 1886, in company with his
brother, Frank, he engaged in the brass foundry business at the old
Keystone Hardware Works, Tenth and Muhlenberg streets. There he
continued for a short time, when he purchased his brother's
interest, and conducted the enterprise alone until 1889, when he
took as partners Miller M. Deem and George Tyson, the firm
continuing under the firm name of Harbster & Co. The plant was
then removed to Ninth and Bingaman streets, where the company added
the manufacture of novelties and specialties and in 1890, Mr.
Harbster organized the National Brass Works with H. K. Getz,
president; H. E. Harbster, vice-president and general manager;
Charles Peacock, treasurer; Miller M. Deem, superintendent of the
manufacturing department; and Joseph S. McConnell, bookkeeper. The
company continued on the old grounds until 1892, when the site of
the present plant was purchased and the buildings erected. Mr.
Harbster continued with the company until 1893, when he sold his
interest and engaged in the brass foundry business with William
Kline at Second and Beech streets. This they continued until 1897,
and in this year Mr. Harbster engaged in business for himself on
South Front street. Later, in company with George Miller, Mr.
Harbster started the plant now occupied by Dick Brothers, but sold
this to engage in the foundry and platers' supplies business. Mr.
Harbster is considered one of the substantial business men of
Reading, and he is possessed of much executive ability. He is a
member of Reading Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M., and Wyomissing
Council, Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Harbster married Mary A. Kline, of Reading,
and to them have been born two children: William H. and E.
Marguerite. Mr. Harbster is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church,
while Mrs. Harbster attends the Reformed Church.
p. 1384
Surnames: HARBSTER, BINGHAM
John E. Harbster, one of the prominent business men of Reading,
Pa., is a son of Matthan and Susan (Bingham) Harbster. He was
educated in the schools of Reading, and then entered the employ of
the Reading Hardware Company. Starting at the very bottom, he rose
rapidly from one position to another until he reached the head of
the great industry, the second largest in its line in the United
States. He started as special order clerk, to which he was
appointed in 1884, and was then promoted to the position of
superintendent of the pattern department. Shortly afterward he was
advanced to superintendent of the lock department, and, still
later, of the cost department of the entire plant. He was then made
assistant superintendent of the works, then superintendent, and
finally, in 1904, elected president. This establishment
manufactures all kinds of light and builders' hardware, and employs
upward of 2000 mechanics beside a large clerical force.
Mr. Harbster was chief marshal of the great
Fireman's parade on Labor Day. He is an active member of the
Liberty Fire Company.
p. 536
Surnames: HARBSTER, BUCHER, GRISCOM, BINGHAM, HETRICH
Matthan Harbster, former president of the Reading Hardware Company,
and a business man who has been prominently identified with some of
Reading's most successful enterprises, was born May 18, 1831, in
Lehigh county, Pa., son of Henry and Mary (Bucher) Harbster.
The Harbster family originated in Germany and
was founded in Pennsylvania by John Harbster, grandfather of
Matthan. At an early age he came to Berks county, later resided in
Montgomery and still later in Lehigh, where he died.
Henry Harbster, son of John, was born in Berks
county. His trade was that of blacksmith, but he was also something
of a machinist and realized an ample fortune from the manufacture
and sale of coffee-mills. He married Mary Bucher, and they had
seven children, Matthan being the fourth in the order of birth. The
parents both died in 1860.
Matthan Harbster had what might be termed meager
educational opportunities, as he was but a lad when he began to
contribute to his own support, engaging in boating on the
Schuylkill and Juniata canals. After several years' experience in
this hard life, his brother William took him into his blacksmith
shop, at Hamburg, to learn the trade, where he also learned
coach-making. When he had completed the necessary apprenticeship,
he worked as a journeyman, as was the custom then, until 1851, when
the three brothers, Matthan, William and John, became associated in
business, and in a little shop at the foot of South Sixth street,
the firm name of Harbster Brothers, was founded the immense
business which is now known all over the United States as the
Reading Hardware Company. All three brothers were practical
business men, energetic and industrious, and the business was
profitable from the start. Its expansion soon made larger
accommodations necessary, and in 1858 the concern was re-organized,
William M. Griscom coming into the partnership and the firm name
becoming then Harbster Brothers & Co., which continued until
1862, when the present name was adopted. Of the original partners
only Matthan remains, the other two brothers being deceased.
The Reading Hardware Company conducts one of the
largest manufacturing enterprises in the United States and employs
2,500 men in turning out the various products and attending to the
vigorous pushing of the business at different points. The works,
which cover an area exceeding five acres, comprise substantial
brick buildings, three and four stories in height, all especially
constructed for the operations carried on in them, and all equipped
with all the modern conveniences known in the business. The
buildings include large storage warehouses for the completed
articles of manufacture, shops where the artistic finishing is done
by expert workmen, a japanning building, lock and general hardware
buildings, shops for drilling, plating, bronzing and finishing,
machine shop, butt and screw factories, and all of these have been
completely furnished with the best mechanical appliances, serving
to reduce expense while turning out better and better products each
year. The Reading Hardware Company has branch stores in such
centers as New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. Its traveling
representatives cover the whole country and are welcomed wherever
the excellence of the products of this concern has been tested. The
firm makes a specialty of all kinds of builder's hardware, and
special hardware furnishings for the most up-to date buildings.
In addition to his important duties in
connection with this immense industry, Mr. Harbster for a time was
president of the Reading Screw Company, whose works were located in
Norristown; was formerly president of the Montello Brick and Clay
Company, and is also president of the Reading Land and Improvement
Company. He is on the directing boards of the following
institutions: Farmers' National Bank, Reading; Reading City
Passenger Railroad; and Reading and Columbia Railroad. In former
years he was connected with a number of the city's infant
industries and his sound advice and financial backing have done
much to make many of them the successful enterprises they are
today. For sixteen years he served as water commissioner of
Reading, and for several years was a member of the school board.
Mr. Harbster married Aug. 12, 1856, Susan
Bingham, who died in 1900. She was survived by four children,
namely: Ida C., John E., Ellen Kate and Nellie G. Mr. Harbster was
married (second) in 1904 to Mrs. Mary Hetrich.
In political sentiment Mr. Harbster is a stanch
Republican. He has never accepted office outside of the city, but
as a member of the council at various times has demonstrated his
public spirit and shown his interest in the welfare of his fellow-
citizens. He is a Mason of long standing, and for many years has
been a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
p. 528
Surnames: HARBSTER, BUCHER, AMAN, NEWKIRK, GRISCOM, MATTHEWS,
KENSEL, MOHN, GOODMAN, HARTMANN
William Harbster (deceased), for many years one of the leading
spirits of the manufacturing interests of Reading, Pa., was born
Oct. 20, 1823, in Albany township, Berks county, son of Henry and
Mary (Bucher) Harbster.
John Harbster, grandfather of William, emigrated
to America from Germany, settling in Albany township, Berks county,
and later lived in Montgomery and Lehigh counties, following
farming in the several localities.
Henry Harbster, son of John, was born in Berks
county and educated in the subscription schools. In early life he
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed some years. He
also invented and manufactured coffee mills in Berks, Montgomery
and Lehigh counties, in which he met with more than ordinary
success. He was a Democrat in political belief, but only took a
voting interest in politics. He married a daughter of Sebastian
Bucher, and their children were: Matilda, wife of Casper Aman;
Hannah, whose third husband was Jacob Newkirk; Ellen, deceased wife
of William M. Griscom; Henry; Samuel, who died in youth; Matthan,
of Reading; and William. Of this family in 1906 were still living
Hannah and Matthan.
William Harbster received his education in the
common and subscription schools of Albany township, after which he
removed to Boyertown, where he apprenticed himself to learn the
blacksmith's trade, remaining in that locality seven years. After
his apprenticeship had been served he worked as a journeyman, and
then removed to Reading, where he engaged in work in a foundry and
was subsequently employed with the Philadelphia & Reading
Railroad Company. Not liking the change, he decided to commence
operations in the northern part of the county, and, locating in
Hamburg, he opened a smithy, manufacturing the iron work for
carriages, etc. After remaining here two years, he returned to
Reading, and with the assistance of his brother-in-law, William M.
Griscom, he founded the Reading Hardware Works. Beginning under
very humble circumstances, and at first manufacturing but a few
articles, by his incessant energy, excellent management and skilled
workmanship the business increased and far exceeded the fondest
hopes of its originator and founder. He found it necessary to admit
more help, subsequently admitting Matthan and John, his younger
brothers, as partners, under the style of Harbster Bros. The
business continued to prosper under the new management and the
brothers succeeded in building up one of the most extensive plants
in the world, the Reading Hardware Company.
Mr. Harbster was also head of the Reading Nickel
Plating Works. His advice was much sought after on account of his
being so successful in his own business, and he later became
officially connected with banks and other business organizations.
In fact, if any new enterprise was founded in which he was not
interested, investors seemed to lose confidence, such was the
esteem in which he was held. He was a man of noble character,
honest and upright in all of his dealings, and a great friend of
the poor and needy. He gave liberally to any and every just cause
and the extent of his philanthropy will never be known to the
outside world. Through his death Reading lost one of its most
prominent citizens.
Mr. Harbster married June 15, 1848, Ellen
Matthews, daughter of George Matthews, a native of Lebanon county,
Pa. He was of Irish descent, and belonged to a family, the
descendants of which figured conspicuously in the affairs of the
State. To Mr. and Mrs. Harbster the following children were born:
Emma R. m. William Kensel; Cecelia m. John G. Mohn; John F.; Morris
G. is deceased; Annie R. m. John Goodman; Howard E.; and Mary
Margaret m. J. Wilhelm Hartmann, native of Germany, and a graduate
of the Hamburg Conservatory of Music and that of Munich, from which
institutions he received the highest honors, and he has become a
composer of much note.
Mr. Harbster was a Republican in his political
belief, but never aspired to public preferment. He was a member of
Chandler Lodge of Masons No. 227; Reading Chapter No. 152; Creigh
Council No. 16; and De Molay Commandery No. 9. He was a consistent
member and liberal supporter of Trinity Lutheran Church for many
years. Mr. Harbster died June 16, 1885.
p. 1197
Surnames: HARING/HERING/HERRING, BIERMAN, DELP, DIETRICH, ECKERT,
GEORG, GIFT, HARTLINE, KLINE, KOMP, LEIBY, WEISER, WISSER, YERGER
Daniel E. Haring, an undertaker at Friedensburg, was born in
Ruscombmanor township, May 30, 1847, a son of Philip, a resident of
Earl township.
Georg Haring (Hering or Herring), the pioneer
ancestor of this family, settled in Greenwich township, Berks
county, prior to 1756, in which year his name first appears on the
list of taxables published in Rupp's History of Berks county. This
was probably the same John. Georg Christoph Haring, who emigrated
to America on the ship "Edinburgh," which qualified at
Philadelphia, Oct. 2, 1753. He was then twenty-five years of age.
The tax list in Greenwich township in 1775 records both George
Haring and John Haring. In 1778 appear George Haring and Widow
Haring, but no John. In 1799 are recorded the names of George John
Haring and Jno. George Haring. After 1803 John Haring disappears
from the Greenwich tax list , as he had then located in Earl. He
was probably a son of George and grandson of the pioneer ancestor.
George Haring died in Greenwich in 1885 at an
advanced age. He lived below Grimville, on the upper floor of the
old mill (which since his death has been unoccupied), and his
reputation for psychic powers was wide spread. George Haring
married Hannah Georg, and they had two sons: George, who located in
Maxatawny township, and has a son, George; and Charles.
Charles Haring, son of George, lived on farm at
the line of Maxatawny township, Berks county, and Weisenburg
township, Lehigh county, the line passing between the house and
barn, the former being in Berks county and the latter in Lehigh.
Mr. Haring married Rebecca Leiby, and they had seven children:
Mary, Abbie, Addison L., George (of Siegersville), Penrose M. and
Henry and John (both of Topeka, Kans.).
Addison L. Haring, son of Charles, resides in
Greenwich township. For five terms he taught school. In 1883 he
moved to Kansas, and remained there seven years. On his return to
Berks county he bought Dietrich's Mill, at Dreibelbis, on the
Ontelaunee, and has since operated it. He married Susanna Dietrich,
daughter of Venus Dietrich, of Greenwich, and their children are:
William, George, Charles, Alice and Calvin.
Penrose M. Haring, son of Charles, was born in
Greenwich township, March 2, 1858, and taught school twelve terms
in Albany, Greenwich and Maxatawny townships. In 1882 he began
farming in Maxatawny township, and has since continued. In 1881 he
married Amelia S. Komp, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wisser)
Komp, and they have two children: Cora and Ambrose B. C.
John Haring, grandfather of Daniel E., was born
in Greenwich township, and lived there until about 1800, when he
went to Earl township, and there he died advanced in years. He
married Christina Delp, and among their children was a son, Philip.
Philip Haring, son of John, was born Sept. 15,
1824, and died in 1909. He owned a farm in Earl township, which he
cultivated. He married Matilda Eckert, born Nov. 16, 1828, and died
Sept. 6, 1884. They had twelve children: Daniel E., born May 30,
1847; Isaac, Jan. 22, 1849 (died Jan. 5, 1881); Peter, 1850;
William, 1853; James, 1856; John, 1859; Mary, 1862; Samuel, 1863;
Joseph, Nov. 22, 1865 (died Sept. 29, 1884); Anna Matilda, 1871;
Katie; and Sarah (1868-1869).
On March 20, 1865, Daniel E. Haring enlisted in
Company I, 105th Pa. V. I. He participated in the battle of
Petersburg, and was present at the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
At the close of the war he was mustered out. Coming back home he
learned cabinetmaking and undertaking at Pikeville, in Pike
township, with Henry Yerger. After remaining with him twenty
months, Mr. Haring embarked in business for himself in Earl
township, where he had a home and twelve acres of land. There he
remained for thirty-five years and then removed to Oley township,
which since the spring of 1893 has been his home. His undertaking
establishment is in South Friedensburg, in the old public school
building. He graduated from the Massachusetts College of Embalming,
Oct. 8, 1897. Mr. Haring has been called upon to prepare 450 people
for their last resting place, and he is not only a skilled
operator, but his sympathy and reliability have proven very
comforting to the afflicted.
In politics Mr. Haring is a Democrat, and for
five years served as constable of Earl township. He is an
industrious, honest and highly respected man, and one who has
through thoroughness of business methods built up a large patronage
and firmly established himself in the confidence of the community.
He and his family are members of Oley Reformed Church, of which he
was deacon for three years, and elder for four years.
In 1870 Mr. Haring married Catharine Hartline,
daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Bierman) Hartline, of Earl township.
They have had children as follows: Amanda m. Calvin Kline, of Oley;
Sallie m. Charles Weiser, of Spring Forge, Earl township; Anna m.
Thomas Gift, of Jacksonwald; Daniel is in the navy; George died at
the age of seventeen; and Calvin died at the age of nine months.
p. 428
Surnames: HARNER, WANN, SEITZINGER, KACHEL, CLEAVER, KOCH, STRUNK,
SHOWER, WENRICH, NOLL, LAMM
Augustus Harner, one of the venerable residents of Berks county,
Pa., who until 1896 was engaged in agricultural pursuits in
Heidelberg township, is now living retired near Shaver's
schoolhouse, and has the respect and esteem of the entire
community. Mr. Harner was born Jan. 20, 1827, in Cumru township,
Berks county, son of Jacob and Susanna (Wann) Harner.
Daniel Harner, grandfather of Augustus, was a
tobacco dealer at Rehrersburg, a substantial business man of his
locality, and one of the first to engage in that line in his
section. He is buried at Rehrersburg church, in Bethel township.
Daniel Harner's children were: Jacob; George, whose son Horace
worked in a bank in Reading; Frederick, a legislator of Berks
county from 1865 to 1867; Abraham; a daughter; and Daniel.
Jacob Harner, father of Augustus, was a resident
of Cumru township, and being in humble circumstances, worked on the
old Seitzinger farm where the State Constabulary has been situated
for many years. He married Susanna Wann, and both are buried at
Aulenbach cemetery in Reading. Jacob Harner passed his last days at
the home of his son, Jacob, Jr. To Mr. and Mrs. Harner were born
these children: Augustus; Amelia m. John Kachel; Margaret m. Albert
Cleaver; Jacob, of Reading, m. Louisa Koch; Mary Ann m. George
Strunk, of Reading; and James, a boiler-maker of Palmyra, died in
Reading.
Augustus Harner obtained his education in the
pay schools near where he lived in Cumru township, and he was
reared on the farm on which his father worked. In 1857, he
purchased the old Shower homestead in Heidelberg township, and here
he has since resided, being actively engaged in agricultural
pursuits until 1896, since which time the farm has been rented to
his son-in-law, Mr. Noll. On this property of seventy-five acres,
Mr. Harner erected all of the present buildings, the house being
built in 1874, as well as the substantial 80 x 40 barn.
He has always been industrious and hard-working
and now in the evening of his life he feels that he can afford to
enjoy some of the fruits of his hard labor. Mr. Harner is very well
read, the Bible being one of his favorite works. He can speak both
English and German fluently, and in spite of his eighty years is
very well preserved, both in mind and body, and is an excellent
conversationalist. In political matters he is a Democrat, and his
popularity in this section has been attested by his election to
various offices of trust and responsibility in his township. Mr.
Harner is a Reformed member of Hain's Church, of which he was
deacon and elder, while his family attend the Corner Church.
In 1851 Mr. Harner married Mary Ann Shower, born
Jan. 24, 1829, who died Nov. 24, 1898, daughter of Isaac and Mary
(Wenrich) Shower, and to this union one child has been born: S.
Agnes m. William Noll, and of their two children, a son and a
daughter, their daughter married Ulysses Lamm and has two sons:
Paul Augustus and Charles Alfred.
p. 1475
Surnames: HARNER/HERNER, BAUM, BREITENSTEINE, COCK, CONRAD, DEETER,
GEIGER, GREINER, HAPPEL, HERFLICKER, HOLLOWAY, KECK, KIRLING,
LANGE, LEVENGOOD, MILLER, NEIL, REIDER, RITTER, RHOADS, ROMIG,
SHIREY, SLEICH, STOUDT, WEIS, ZIMMERMAN
Daniel Z. Harner, of Amity township, Berks county, was born there
Oct. 5, 1870, a member of a family long settled in Pennsylvania.
The Harner, or Herner, family had its early home
in Exeter township, Berks county, where in 1752 at the erection of
Berks county, lived Henry, Nicholas and Frederick Herner. On the
Exeter tax list of 1759 Henry Herner is assessed eight pounds,
Nicholas three pounds and Frederick as a single man. Henry Herner,
it would appear from the records, was the oldest of the trio of
pioneers. He made his last will and testament in 1782, and this was
admitted to probate Aug. 23, 1785, soon after his death. It is
recorded in Will Book B, page 133. He left a very large estate, and
was a man of considerable prominence. At the time of his death he
was living in Amity township. His eldest son Jacob obtained the old
plantation, and was the executor of his father's will. Nicholas,
Frederick and Mathias, sons, received 600 pounds each in lawful
money of Pennsylvania. "Henry Herner, my grandson and son of my son
Frederick, shall have the sum of five pounds because he bears my
name." The daughters were: Magdalena Conrad, Catharine Sleich,
Elizabeth Ritter, Margaret Cock and Judith Neil. This is probably
the Henry Herner who served in the Revolution. Tradition says he
was the progenitor of all of the name in the eastern and western
ends of the county.
Frederick Herner, son of Henry, died in 1788, in
Exeter township. His will, made Jan. 4, 1788, was probated on June
2d following. His wife Mary survived him. Their children, all
daughters, were: Elizabeth, Susanna, Mary, Rachel, Eleanor and
Mary. Jacob Herner, brother of Frederick, was the executor of the
will, as recorded in Book B, page 218.
Nicholas Herner died intestate. In 1790 he lived
in Exeter township, and had one son above sixteen years, and two
under, and two daughters. Tradition states that he and his family
settled in the western part of Berks county about 1794. One John
Harner, in 1825, died in Tulpehocken township, leaving his wife
Barbara and two sons, Harrison and Benneville, over the latter of
whom he, John Harner, appointed his brother George as guardian. In
1829 Daniel Harner died in Heidelberg township, leaving a wife
Susanna and nine children to mourn his loss. Two of the sons were
George and Frederick. It is said that this Daniel Harner was a
brother of John and George and that the three were sons of
Nicholas, this branch having changed the spelling of the name from
Herner to Harner. In 1879 Frederick Harner, son of Daniel, died at
Millersburg, in western Berks county, and was survived by his widow
Hannah, and three daughters - Loranna Sarah, Mary Casia and Emma
Susan.
Jacob Harner, great-grandfather of Daniel Z.,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and took part in the battle
of Germantown. He also at one time during the war drove a
provisional team. After the term of his enlistment had expired he
returned home and bought a farm on the eastern slope of Monocacy
Hill, and about one mile south of Amityville, on which his nephew
Frank Harner now lives. This farm was paid for with Continental
money received for his services in war. Others of the neighborhood
held their money and after the close of the war the money
valueless. After the war he married Elizabeth Baum, of Baumstown,
for whose family the village was named. They had ten children, as
follows: Daniel, of Amity, m. Susan Rhoads; Henry, of Amity, m.
Elizabeth Kirling; Anna m. William Holloway; Susan m. William
Reider; Mary m. Jacob Reider; Elizabeth m. Jacob Geiger; Lena m.
Jacob Greiner; Nellie m. Jacob or Samuel Romig; Sallie never
married; and John lived at Roaring Creek. Of these, the children
born to Daniel and Susan (Rhoads) were: Charles, m. to Mary Miller;
Frank , m. to a Rhoads; Nathaniel, m. to Anna Miller; Sarah, m. to
Uriah Weis; and Delila, unmarried. To William and Anna (Harner)
Holloway was born a son Jacob, whose sons are Rev. Clayton and
Calvin, the latter in the Penn National bank. To William and Susan
(Harner) Reider was born a son Cyrus. To Jacob and Elizabeth
(Harner) Geiger came Mahlon, John, Leah and Sarah.
Henry Harner, second son of Jacob and Elizabeth
(Baum), made his home in Amity township. He married Elizabeth
Kirling, and their children were: Benneville K.; Amos; Jeremiah m.
Lucetta Happel; Jacob; Maberry; Sarah m. William Shirey, and is now
(1909) in her ninety-seventh year, well preserved, and bright and
cheerful, and is living at her home on Monocacy Hill; Lucetta m.
Isaac Levengood; and Catharine m. a Stoudt.
Benneville K. Harner, son of Henry and
Elizabeth, was born on the Harner homestead in Amity township Jan.
21, 1820, and died Sept. 24, 1900. He was a wheelwright by trade
and traveled with a carpenter crew through the lower end of Berks
county assisting in the erection of many houses and barns, being in
the employ of William B. Brunner. For one year he worked for the
Reading Railway Company. He died on the old farm where he was born,
on the north side of Monocacy Hill, a tract fifty-one acres now
owned by John Lange. In politics he was a Democrat, and was always
interested in his party's success. He is buried at Amityville
church, of which he was a Reformed member. He married Mary Ann
Zimmerman, daughter of Henry Zimmerman of Amity township. She was
born Feb. 16, 1833, and is now making her home with her son William
Z., of Amity. To this union were born William Z.; Daniel Z., of
Amity township; John Z., of Kutztown (born Aug. 4, 1872, m. April
2, 1898, Eva Katie M. Breitensteine, daughter of Martin, of
Monocacy).
Daniel Z. Harner grew to manhood on his father's
farm, obtaining his education in the township school and later in
Amity Seminary under Prof. Calvin Holloway. He was licensed to
teach by Prof. D. S. Keck, county superintendent, and taught eleven
terms in the district - eight terms in the Mimby's schools, two in
the Leopard school and one in Amityville. Since he gave up teaching
he has devoted himself to farming, and since 1905 has been one of
the roadmasters of the township. He resides in the western section
of Amity, on the road from Baumstown to Weaverstown. He and his
family belong to the Reformed Church at Amityville. In politics he
is a Democrat, and for three years served as auditor.
On Sept. 28, 1901, Mr. Harner married Matilda H.
Deeter, daughter of Amos R. and Mary (Herflicker) Deeter, of Exeter
township.
p. 1061
Surnames: HARNER, BACHOFER, GILMORE, KLINE, LUIGARD, MAURER, MOYER,
PECK, SLICTER, VOGEL
Frank Harner, a well known young business man of Reading, a member
of the firm of Vogel & Harner, conducting a first-class
restaurant at No. 661 Penn street, was born at Reading, June 12,
1874, son of Aaron and Sarah (Maurer) Harner.
The grandfather of Mr. Harner was William
Harner, who was born in Exeter township, Berks Co., Pa. By trade he
was a plasterer. He married Anna Moyer and two of their children
still survive, namely: Aaron and Henry, the latter of whom follows
the trade of bricklayer at Reading (m. Minnie Kline).
Aaron Harner, father of Frank, was born Sept.
22, 1844, in Muhlenberg township, Berks Co., Pa. He learned the
shoemaking trade, and has been in this ever since November, 1858.
For a quarter of a century he has had his shop at No. 51 South
Sixth street, Reading, and is one of the oldest workmen in the
city. He married Sarah Maurer, who died in February, 1896, and is
buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery. They had the following
children: Charles died aged twenty-one years; Aaron died aged nine
months; John died aged twenty-eight years; Emma m. James Gilmore
and died aged thirty-six years; Lillie m. Lewis Bachofer and died
aged twenty-six years; Harry died aged twenty-seven years; Frank;
Samuel is employed by his brother Frank; Walter is also in Frank's
employ; and James. The father of this family is a member of the
Second Reformed Church. He belongs to Emblematic Lodge, No. 169, I.
O. O. F.
Frank Harner attended the public schools in
boyhood, and when he went to work it was as an employe of E. B.
Slicter, who conducted an oyster business at Sixth and Cherry
streets, Reading, and remained there for five years. After this he
worked for a time for Frederick Peck, and in July, 1888, entered
the employ of Mr. Vogel. In recognition of his years of faithful
service, Mr. Vogel invited Mr. Harner in January, 1904, to become
his partner and since then the business has been conducted under
the firm name of Vogel & Harner.
Mr. Harner married Miss Carrie L. Luigard and
they have one son, Theodore Franklin. Mr. Harner and family reside
at No. 656 Penn street. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to Lodge No. 227, F. & A. M., Reading.
p. 967
Surnames: HARNISH, KOHR, WALBORN
Martin Harnish operates a fine tract of farming land in Marion
township, Berks county, where he is a well known and popular
resident. He was born Feb. 21, 1864, in Jackson township, Lebanon
Co., Pa., son of Christian Harnish, of Mount Aetna.
Martin Harnish was educated in the schools of
Bethel township, and remained at home with his father until
twenty-one, when he went to West Lebanon, Lebanon county, and was
there employed at the furnace for a period of three years. He
returned to Bethel township for one year, when he removed to
Tulpehocken township, and remained there fourteen years, at the end
of which time he located on his present place in Marion township,
where he has since carried on successful agricultural operations.
In 1886 Mr. Harnish married Catherine Walborn,
daughter of Henry and S. (Kohr) Walborn, and to this union the
following children have been born: Sallie L.; Bertha M., who is now
the teacher of Moyer's school in Marion township; Carrie M.; Thomas
M.; Christian H., and Paul C.
Mr. Harnish is a Democrat in his political
affiliations, and in 1895, while a resident of Tulpehocken
township, he served as a member of the school board. He and his
family attend Tulpehocken Reformed Church, where he has served as
deacon. Mr. Harnish is fraternally connected with the Jr. O. U. A.
M., of Myerstown.
p.
1677
Surnames: HARRISON, BLAND, KUPP, STANTON
George W. Harrison was born June 8, 1833, on the Harrison homestead
in Union township, now a part of the borough of Birdsboro. He was
brought up on the homestead farm, and pursued his education in the
local schools until he was fifteen years old, when he became a
clerk in the store of Mr. John Bland in the village of Mt. Airy.
After working in the store but a year, he was placed in charge of a
store at Birdsboro which Mr. Bland had purchased, evidencing the
confidence which Mr. Bland had in him. After continuing in this
store for sixteen years he became a partner. They traded under the
name of Bland & Harrison for five years, when Mr. Harrison
purchased his partner's interest in the business. He then carried
on the store for two years, until 1862, when he became the chief
clerk to Major Henry S. Kupp, who was appointed commissioner for
the district of Berks county in drafting men for the Civil war. In
1863, Major Kupp was appointed provost marshal of the district, and
Mr. Harrison was continued as chief clerk at Reading until 1865,
when the Secretary of War (Edwin M. Stanton) appointed him
commissioner of drafts, and he filled this honorable and
responsible position in a most creditable manner until the close of
the war.
At the close of the war Mr. Harrison was
appointed freight agent and assistant ticket agent of the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company at Birdsboro which
position he served until 1869, when he became the bookkeeper and
cashier of E. & G. Brooke, manufacturers of iron at Birdsboro,
and he filled this position until the company was incorporated in
1880 under the name of E. & G. Brooke Iron Co., when he became
a director and its treasurer, and he held this office until his
retirement a few years before his death.
Mr. Harrison was a devoted member of St.
Michael's Episcopal Church, of Birdsboro, and served as vestryman
for a number of years. He assisted in establishing the St.
Michael's cemetery, and served as its superintendent, besides
officiating as secretary and treasurer. From the time of reaching
his majority, he was prominently identified with the Republican
party. He took an active part in the erection of the borough of
Birdsboro, of which he became one of the first councilmen. He
assisted in establishing the First National Bank at Birdsboro in
1888, and served as vice-president until his decease. He was also
identified with the Pennsylvania Diamond Drill & Machine
Company, of Birdsboro, and with the Reading Foundry, serving each
as a director. He was a member of Chandler Lodge, F. & M., at
Reading, for many years. He died Feb. 22, 1903, survived by his
widow and two sons, Ward and Henry K.
Mr. Harrison traced his ancestry back to Gen.
John Harrison, who was publicly concerned with the execution of
Charles I, for which offense King Charles II, upon his accession to
the throne, caused him to be beheaded. His three sons then fled to
America, locating in Virginia. One of them was John Harrison, who
emigrated to Pennsylvania and became employed in the office of the
surveyor-general, serving as one of the surveyors. In 1732, he took
up a large tract of land, which was situated along the southerly
bank of the Schuylkill river in Union township, and extended from
Hay creek eastwardly for two miles, and southwardly from the river
one mile. On this tract he erected a large stone building and
carried on farming until his decease, when he was succeeded by his
son John, who also carried on farming until his decease. Caleb
Harrison, a grandson of the original owner and father of the
subject of this sketch, became the next successor. Besides
cultivating the farm, he officiated as justice of the peace for
thirty years and took an active interest in local affairs, more
especially relating to education, serving for many years as one of
the school directors of the township. He was identified with
establishing the Philomathean Academy on the Henry S. Kupp farm in
1855, and co-operated earnestly with Mr. Kupp and others in its
successful management for ten years. In his earlier life he was
brought up as a member of the Society of Friends, which was quite
prominent in the vicinity at that time, but later in life became a
member of St. Michael's Protestant Episcopal Church at Birdsboro.