BIO: Andrew HARTER, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  ANDREW HARTER, who follows general framing in Marion township, Centre 
county, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Penn's 
Valley, whose identification with its interests has proved a material 
factor in its development and upbuilding.  He was born in Harris 
township, Centre county, June 7, 1823. His parental grandparents, 
Andrew and ----(Roop) Harter, natives of Lancaster county, Penn., 
removed at an early day to Penn's Valley, where the grandfather 
followed farming throughout his remaining days.  The maternal 
grandparents, Andrews and _____(Kramer) Kern, were also born in 
Pennsylvania and came to Penn's Valley at an early period in its 
development.  They too were farming people.
  Jacob and Elizabeth (Kern) Harter, the parents of our subject were 
both natives of Haines township, Centre county, whence they removed to 
Marion township.  The father became one of the leading farmers of that 
community, and took a prominent part in public affairs, serving in 
several local offices, including those of supervisor and tax collector.  
He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church in early life, 
afterward uniting with the Evangelical Church.  Jacob Harter died in 
the spring of 1860, at the age of sixty-four years, and his wife passed 
away 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  235

in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years.  Their children were as 
follows:  John, of Hamburg, Clinton Co., Penn., who was drowned in the 
Johnstown flood; Jacob (twin brother of John), who died at his home in 
Illinois in 1895; Sarah, who became the wife of Jacob Garbrick (now a 
retired farmer of Marion township), and died in 1896; Andrew, subject 
of this sketch; Ann, wife of George Danberman, of Illinois, where both 
died; Samuel, a farmer of Illinois; Mary, deceased; David, a resident 
farmer of Marion township; William, a merchant of Tylersville, Penn.; 
and Daniel of Jacksonville, Pennsylvania.
  Quietly passed the early boyhood days of Andrew Harter, who remained 
with his parents until twenty-three years of age, during which time he 
worked on the farm and also followed carpentering.  On leaving home he 
assisted in the development of land, by grubbing out the roots and 
other labors incident to the improvement of timber tracts.  After three 
years he rented a farm in Marion township, and continued its 
cultivation for eight years, but he did not meet with the success that 
he had anticipated, and in consequence, turned his attention to the 
sawmill business, which he followed at Hoy's Gap, for three years, and 
then sold out.  In the spring of 1860, he purchased his present home, 
and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits.
  On June 10, 1845, in Clinton county, Mr. Harter married Miss Eve E. 
Smith, a native of Clinton county, who died June 28, 1862, at the age 
of thirty-nine years and five months.  By her marriage she became the 
mother of the following children:  John S., now of Clinton county, 
justice of the peace and school teacher; Mary E., wife of Daniel Gordon 
of Clinton county; Susanna, wife of Frank Buck, a farmer of Centre 
county; William I., a wagon maker of Centre county; Jacob R., merchant 
of the same county; Rebecca J., wife of George Fatzinger, a baggage 
master in Northumberland county; Sarah E., wife of Calvin Womer, who is 
employed as a cook in Chicago, Ill.; and Emily, wife of William Dale, a 
farmer of Centre county.
  On March 5, 1863, Mr. Harter was united in marriage with Mrs. Susan 
(Arbegust) Sharer, who was born in Perry township, Snyder Co., Penn., 
December 4, 1836, a daughter of Jacob and Polly (Dutter) Arbegust, 
natives of Snyder county, where they were married, and where they made 
their home for many years.  The father, who was a potter by trade, died 
in 1883, at the age of seventy-two years; the mother died in 1851, at 
the age of forty.  Their children were Sarah, who became the wife of 
Joshua Roush and both are now deceased; Harriet, deceased wife of Jacob
Howard, of Juniata county, Penn.; Savilla, deceased wife of George 
Myers, a miller residing in Coburn, Penn.; John, a miller of New 
Berlin, Penn.; Mrs. Harter; Eva, deceased wife of Joseph Rifter; Jacob, 
a shoemaker residing near Freeburg, Penn.; Peter, who was killed in the 
army; and Aaron, deceased.  The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Harter 
were Nicholas and Eva (Metz) Arbegust, farming people of Union county, 
Penn.  Her maternal grandfather was a native of Ireland.
  The children by Mr. Harter's second marriage are:  Laura, wife of 
Elias Breon, a carpenter of Centre county; Lucy B., wife of Lawrence 
Hyles, an engineer of Mine Bank, Pleasant Gap, Centre county; Samuel, a 
carpenter of Indiana; Franklin P., a machinist of Renovo, Penn.; 
Clementine, a carpenter, residing at home; Harry E., a carpenter of 
Axemann, Penn.; George, a miner of Centre county; Albert, at home; 
Cora, wife of George Aikey, a farmer residing in Centre county; and 
Edna S., at home. 
  Mr. Harter votes independently, supporting the candidates whom he 
thinks best qualified for office.  His fellow townsmen have manifested 
their confidence in his ability and worth by electing him supervisor 
for two terms, school director two terms, and auditor one term.  He was 
also assistant assessor under Harry McDowell, and was elected 
constable, but declined to serve.  He formerly belonged to the 
Evangelical Church, but now holds membership in the Methodist Church.