BIO: John F. HARTER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2008. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ JOHN F. HARTER, D.D.S., a prominent dentist of State College, Centre county, Is a representative citizen whose influence is felt no less in public life than in his professional sphere. He was born in Millheim, January 5, 1857, and is a member of a family that has held a leading place in that city since the time of his grandfather, John Harter, who came there as a young man. John Harter was a native of Lebanon township, Dauphin Co., Penn., born November 16, 1792, and became a prosperous carriage and wagon maker, employing a number of men, and his business was one of the most important in Millheim in his day. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, and while his attention was chiefly given to business matters, he took part, in a quiet way, in the varied movements of the time and locality. He was more then ninety years old at the time of his death, which took place at the home of his son, Dr. W. S. Harter, our subject's father. On August 30, 1813, he married Miss Mollie Shreffler, who was born November 29, 1794. and died February 15, 1861, both being buried at Millheim. They had twelve children, whose names with dates of birth are as follows: Julia A., July 21, 1814, married Henry Royer, and died at Millheim, June 7, 1896; Elizabeth, May 22, 1816, married Michael Cooney, and died in Akron, Ohio; Sarah, August 16, 1818, is the widow of John Purman, of Loganton, Penn., and the mother of Hon. William J. Purman, once a member of Congress from Florida; William S., June 9, 1820, is mentioned more fully below; John, December 18, 1822, died in Mifflinburg, Penn.; Margaret, December 12, 1824, is now Mrs. R. B. Hartman, of Millheim; Daniel, December 10, 1826, died November 29, 1829; Henry, September 23, 1828, resides in Joliet, Ill.; Hannah M., November 5, 1830, died in Millheim, unmarried; David, March 6, 1832, died January 30, 1833; Amelia, August 7, 1835, married J. D. Foote, and died in Millheim; and Mary M., December 24, 1837, is the wife of John West, of Chicago, Illinois. Dr. William S. Harter, the father of our subject, was born in Millheim and grew to manhood there. He learned the painters' trade in his father's shop, and having great mechanical ability he became familiar also in an incidental way with all the details of carriage and wagon making. He had extraordinary ability as an artist, though lacking entirely a suitable opportunity to develop his powers. His work with a pen was unusually fine, and one cannot but regret that his talent remained unutilized. He was well advanced toward middle age when he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Swartz, a successful practitioner, with whom he later went into partnership. After a time Dr. Harter established an independent practice, continuing in all over twenty years. While he made much money and lived in comfortable style, he never became wealthy. As a citizen he was highly respected, and he held a prominent place in the Republican organization in his section. For some years previous to his death he was government gauger and store keeper in the Eighteenth District of Pennsylvania. Dr. William S. Harter was married in Millheim to Mrs. Sarah (Detrich) Messinger, widow of David Messinger, who died shortly after his marriage, leaving no children. Mrs. Harter was COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 175 a native of Mifflinburg, but her parents died there during her childhood, and she was reared by Frederick Gutelius. She possessed much artistic skill combined with business ability, and at the time of her last marriage was conducting a millinery store. Both parents were Methodists, and the father was one of the foremost workers in the Church, giving his time and thought as well as money. He died April 30, 1877, from an illness contracted during a visit to the Centennial Exposition. His widow survived him until December 29, 1893, when she passed away, and was laid to rest beside him in the cemetery at Millheim. Their children were William C., who died in childhood; Lydia J., who died in 1893, unmarried; Anna C., who married William S. Musser, and died in Millheim; Willis H. B., who died in infancy; John F., our subject; Robert H., engineer of a school at Chicago, Ill.; and Emma C., now Mrs. W. H. Miller, of Millheim. Dr. J. F. Harter's literary education was acquired in the schools of his native town, and his professional studies may be said to have been begun while a boy in his father's office. However, he did not determine upon dentistry as a life work without testing other occupations. For some time he clerked for Daniel Gross, a merchant at Lock Haven, and later he took a course in telegraphy at Oberlin, Ohio, and worked as an operator in the Western Union office at Bellefonte. On definitely deciding to adopt his present calling, he completed his preparation with Dr. A. J. Orndorf, a successful practitioner at Pine Grove Mills, Penn. He then established himself in business at Millheim, and continued afterward, with the exception of three years as county recorder, to which office he was elected in 1887, until his removal to State College in the fall of 1896. His political work and influence are worthy of more than a passing reference as he is one of the valued advisers of the Republican party in Centre county. His popularity as a man is not limited by partisan ties, and he has warm friends among those of opposite political faith. In 1893 he was defeated for the office of sheriff by only 260 votes, while the other on his ticket had an adverse majority of 800 or more. He has held numerous local offices, serving upon the city council and the school board of Millheim, and in all his public work his ability, discretion and fidelity have been fully proven. Always thoroughly awake to the best interests of his town, he has been active in various movements of a non-partisan sort. He is secretary of the Millheim Building & Loan Association, and a leading worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, contributing liberally and serving at present as trustee, steward and superintendent of the Sunday-school. In 1874 he joined the Millheim Cornet Band, of which he became leader four years later, and under his able direction the organization has become known throughout central Pennsylvania for its excellence, having gained valuable prizes at various contests in competition with bands from much larger cities. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Millheim. He has been successful financially as well as in other lines. He owns two residences at Millheim, and his home is among the pleasantest in the place. Dr. Harter was married September 17, 1 878, in Pine Grove, Penn., to Miss Charlotte Meek, daughter of F. E. and Eliza (Glenn) Meek, and they have two children, Sadie B. and Jessie M., both at home. In November, 1896, the Doctor and his family removed to State College, where he is building a fine home, and where he expects to remain to educate his children.