BIO: Emanuel HARTER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ EMANUEL HARTER, a prominent and well-to-do agriculturist of Miles township, Centre county, is deserving of mention in this volume not only for his own achievements, but because of his being a member of a well-known pioneer family. Andrew Harter, his grandfather, was reared on the banks of the Tulpehocken river, and shortly after marriage with Miss Sally Rupp settled (about 1790) in Haines township, Centre county, near Aaronsburg, upon a farm of 100 acres which he had previously purchased. The journey was made in a covered wagon, and a shoemaker accompanied the party to its destination. Andrew Harter was a carpenter by trade, but most of his time was given to clearing and cultivating his land, which he took in a primitive state. He built a cabin of hewed trees in one day, occupying it the next, and in this humble abode blankets two years served as the only doors they had. Although he never became wealthy, he acquired a competence, and after twelve years the original cabin was replaced by a more commodious structure. In religion he was a Lutheran, and he helped to found the Aaronsburg Church. One noticeable trait was his frankness of speech, even the minister being subject to this outspoken critic on occasion. Honest and upright, his "word was as good as his bond" in a business deal. His political convictions as a Democrat were maintained with characteristic firmness. During his later years he did no work at his trade except in improving his own property, but throughout his life he was often called upon to doctor horses, as he seemed to have a talent for understanding and treating their ailments. At the time of his death, which occurred during the Civil war, he was in his eighty-eighth year, yet every one of his teeth was in place and perfectly sound. His wife had died many years before, and the remains of both were interred at Aaronsburg. They had nine children, of who six lived to adult age; John COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 503 died in Gregg township, Centre county; Jacob, in Nittany Valley; Andrew, in Penn township, Centre county; George is mentioned more fully below; William died in Haines township, Centre county; and Lydia (Mrs. Henry Swartz) died near Pleasant Gap, Centre county. George Harter, the father of our subject, was born in Haines township, Centre county, in 1805, and was reared to farm work. There were no free schools then, his early instruction being secured entirely in the German schools of the day. He was an excellent penman, and in later years became a prominent citizen of the locality, noted for his successful management of his farms, his estate being at his death estimated at $17,000. He was five feet, eight inches in height, and weighed 155 pounds, was strong and robust, and an industrious worker. Although he was never afraid to give voice to his opinion, he was not quarrelsome, and never sued or was sued in court. He was a Lutheran in early life, later becoming an active member of the U.B. Church, and he always took great interest in all that pertained to local improvement. In politics he was a Democrat. His first wife, Mary (Wolfe) (our subject's mother), was born in Haines township, in 1808, a daughter of George Valentine and Sally (Wise) Wolfe. The young couple settled upon a rented farm in Haines township, Andrew Harter giving to this son, as to all the others, two horses, a wagon, a cow and two pigs. Nearly all of the boys prospered after being thus started in life, and George Harter was able, in 1841, to buy from Jefferson Royer a farm of 210 acres near Rockville, Centre county. Later he sold this and purchased the old Haines farm, in Penn township, Centre county, where he lived until old age caused him to retire from active work. His last days were spent at Millheim, and there he died at the age of seventy-eight. His first wife passed away in Penn township, aged fifty-three years, and his remains rest beside hers at Millheim. His second wife, Mrs. Sally Droxel, a widow, survived him, and after his death returned to her early home at Annville, Lebanon Co., Penn., where she died. There were no children by the second union, but by the first there were twelve, namely: Polly, widow of George Royer, of Rebersburg; Lydia, who died in childhood; Emanuel, our subject; Absalom, a farmer of Haines township, Centre county; Susan (Mrs. Michael Fiedler), of Millheim; Sarah, who married Rev. Lewis Fleisher, a minister of the U. B. Church, and died in Lebanon county, Penn.; Daniel, a farmer of Brush Valley; Catherine, widow of William Neese, of Brush Valley; Reuben, of Penn township, Centre county; James, who died in childhood; Phoebe (Mrs. A. R. Alexander), of Penn township, Centre county; and George W., of Millheim. Emanuel Harter was born on the old farm in Haines township, Centre county, July 31, 1831, and while he was a boy his parents removed to Brush Valley. As he was the eldest son and his help was needed at home, his school attendance was irregular, and he could not even take full advantage of such opportunities as the locality afforded. His father was engaged for many years in hauling merchandise to and from Lewistown, Lewisburg, Lock Haven, Flemington and other points, and often hauled coal from Snow Shoe for the use of blacksmiths. Emanuel proved himself so capable and trustworthy that at an early age he was placed in charge of a team, helping even to haul clover seed to Little York, a trip requiring fifteen days, and in all his work he never had a horse died or a wagon break down, or met with any serious accident of any kind. After the age of eighteen he did not go to school at all, but remained at home until he was about twenty-five years old, his labor being given to his father. He was a dutiful son, and there was never an impatient word passed between him and his parents. On January 19, 1856, he was married in Millheim to Miss Lavina Bierly, of Brush Valley, a native of Rebersburg, and a daughter of John and Priscilla (Wolfe) Bierly. Mr. Harter rented the old Jacob Brungart farm in Brush Valley, and established himself there temporarily, his outfit being entirely second-hand and purchased mostly "on time." He also lived for a time upon rented farms in Penn township, Centre county, and in the Nittany Valley, Clinton county, but in 1868 he purchased 218 acres of land near Rebersburg, and has ever since resided there. He sold 102 acres immediately after its purchase to Samuel Loose, and for the portion retained, which was worth $9,000, he went in debt, having only about $7,000, which he had saved, to apply upon it. About 1875 he purchased an additional thirty acres from William Foster for $3,000, and this is now a part of his farm. At various times Mr. Harter has owned extensive tracts of mountain land, and still has some of it, although he has sold portions as occasion offered. His farm is well-improved, and a number of substantial buildings have been built by Mr. Harter, in addition to those upon the homestead. His home is well-furnished, the equipment including a fine piano, one of the few in Brush Valley. While both Mr. and Mrs. Harter have received property from their parents, their losses have been greater than the amount thus obtained, and their present prosperity is due 504 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. to their own effort. They had three children: James C. died at the age of five years; Susan Ella married C. C. Loose, of Rebersburg; and Sally, an accomplished young lady, is at home. Mr. Harter's sympathies are with the Democratic party in the main, but when the best men are on the other ticket he is sufficiently patriotic and independent to vote for them. He has been supervisor and overseer of the poor, and his public work has been marked by the same quiet devotion to duty which has won his success in his private business. For nineteen years he was manager of the Bald Eagle, Nittany, Penn, and Brush Valley Turn Pike, this long term of successful service reflecting great credit upon him. He is not connected with any Church, but has lent more substantial assistance to various religious movements than many who are members.