Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Harnish, William April 6, 1817 - ???? ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 January 5, 2025, 12:11 pm Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892. Author: Samuel T. Wiley WILLIAM HARNISH, an old and reliable farmer and a highly respected citizen of Frankstown township, is a son of Tobias and Catherine (Keller) Harnish, and was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1817. Tobias Harnish was born in Lancaster county, where he was reared and received his education. Leaving school, he learned the trade of tanner, which he followed for some time, and then removed to Huntingdon county, where he died in Canoe valley. He was engaged for many years before his death in farming, and by industry, economy, and good management, acquired five good farms. He was one of the largest landholders in Huntingdon county at the time of his death. He was a hard working man who gave his time and attention strictly to his own business affairs. He married Catherine Keller, and reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters: Samuel, John, Jacob, William, Peter, David, Dorothea, Elizabeth, and Catherine. William Harnish was reared on his father's farm, where he was carefully trained to habits of economy, industry, and honesty. He received his education in the subscription schools when they were about to be superseded by the free schools. He came to Frankstown township, in which he has resided and followed farming ever since. He owns a good farm of one hundred and thirty-six acres of land that is well improved and carefully tilled. His farm is but a short distance from Hollidaysburg. He also owns another tract of about eighty acres of land which is well adapted to grazing purposes. In addition to farming, Mr. Harnis raises some stock, which he disposes of to dealers, for the eastern markets. William Harnish married Maria Ross, and to their union were born seven children, three sons and four daughters: Margaretta, born January 11, 1846, and died in 1850; Catherine M., born in 1848, married William Waters, and died in 1889; Juniata B., born September 18, 1849, and died in 1850; Samuel R., born February 2, 1851, and is employed in the Johnstown Company store at Gaysport, this county; William E., born October 12, 1853, and died in 1854; Archie C., born September 28, 1860, and is engaged in farming with his father at home; and Maria E., born January 15, 1865, and married to William Matthews of Hollidaysburg. In politics Mr. Harnish is a republican. He is a consistent and useful church member. Additional Comments: Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Janet Ebaugh. This file has been created by a form at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pafiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb