BIO: Philip W. BARNHART, Centre County, PA

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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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  PHILIP W. BARNHART (deceased), late justice of the peace, and an 
honored resident of Boggs township, Centre county.  Prominent among the 
pioneers of Centre county who have witnessed most of the marvelous 
development of this section of the State, and who, by honest toil and 
industry, have succeeded in acquiring a competency, is the gentleman 
whose name introduces this sketch.  He was born just one mile from his 
late home, April 13, 1813, a son of Judge Henry and Isabella (Holt) 
Barnhart, who were also born in Pennsylvania, and married in Centre 
county.  For many years the Barnhart family have made their home in the 
county, and five generations now lie buried in the Eagle Cemetery, 
Boggs township.
  Judge Henry Barnhart was quite prominent and influential in public 
affairs; in 1832 was elected a member of the Legislature from Centre 
county, serving two terms, and was also associate judge for ten years.  
He was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, and during the war 
of 1812 was commissioned a colonel in the militia.  He was an extensive 
lumber merchant, and one of the leading business men of the county, as 
well as one of its representative and most public-spirited citizens.  
Although not a member of any religious organization, he regularly 
attended the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in all the 
relations of life was upright and honorable.  He died in 1874, at the 
age of eighty-seven years.  His parents, Philip and Elizabeth (Antis) 
Barnhart, were natives of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. 
Mrs. Barnhart, the mother of our subject, was a consistent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in that faith in 1877, at the 
age of eighty-six years.  She was a daughter of Col. John and Sarah 
(Milligan) Holt, who were born in England, but came to Pennsylvania at 
an early day, locating first in Cumberland county (now a part of 
Dauphin county).  In 1779 they removed to Bald Eagle Valley, Centre 
county, locating on a farm, where Mrs. Barnhart was born July 4, 1790, 
and there her death also occurred.  She was descended from Thomas Holt, 
a brother of Lord Chancellor Holt, who became a resident of Carlisle, 
Penn., at an early period in its history.  The records of the Holt 
family were destroyed by the burning of the court house of Cumberland 
county.
  On May 17, 1809, was celebrated the marriage of the parents of our 
subject, and to them were born twelve children, five of whom died in 
infancy; the others are as follows: Julia is the deceased wife of John 
Curtin, a resident of Bellefonte, Penn.; Philip W. is the subject of 
this review; Sarah married Thomas R. Sellers, but both are now 
deceased; Henry, who married Mary Joslin, deceased; Nancy married D. 
Kim-port, but both are now deceased; Mary is the wife of Irvin Davis; 
of Hollidaysburg, Penn.; and Katherine is the wife of James M. Kimport, 
of West Virginia.
  In the common schools of Centre county Philip W. Barnhart acquired a 
fair education, and for two terms engaged in teaching, receiving a 
salary of $18 per month, and boarding himself.  He began his business 
career as a farmer and lumberman, following the former occupation 
during the summer months, and working in the lumber woods during the 
winter season.  He remained at home until his marriage, at the age of 
twenty-seven, when he located upon a rented farm, which he operated for 
four years.  He then purchased a small portion of his late farm, the 
boundaries of which he extended from time to time, until at the time of 
his death he had a valuable place of 230 acres.
  On September 17, 1840, Mr. Barnhart wedded Miss Rebecca Leathers, and 
they became the parents of ten children - four sons and six daughters - 
namely: Mary I. is the deceased wife of Samuel H. Orris, a decorator, 
of Miles-burg, Centre county; Lucy is at home; Warren is deceased; 
Joseph is a resident of Renovo, Clinton county, Penn.; Amanda is at 
home; Julia is the deceased wife of H. H. Harshburger, of Bellefonte, 
Penn., Laura is the wife of J. C. Weaver, a merchant of Bellefonte; 
Harry lives in Punxsutawney, Penn.; Alice is the wife of H. G. Herd, of 
Farnsville, Penn.; and James K. is bookkeeper in the First National 
Bank of Belle-

278  COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fonte.  The family holds a high position in social and intellectual 
circles, and is one of prominence in the community where they are so 
widely known.
  'Squire Barnhart departed this life November 4, 1896.  For the long 
period of forty years he most acceptably served as justice of the 
peace, and in 1895 was again elected by every vote cast in Boggs 
township, but declined to further accept the office.  For three years 
he also served as county commissioner.  Politically, he was identified 
with the Democratic party, in religious belief was a Methodist, and 
socially he was a member of the Grange of Pennsylvania.  In manner he 
was pleasant and genial, in disposition kindly, and the high regard in 
which he was universally held was well deserved.