BIO: Henry B. HARTSWICK, 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. _____________________________________________________________________ H. B. HARTSWICK. This gentleman, who spent his early manhood in active business, and mainly in agricultural pursuits, is now living retired on a fine farm in Ferguson township, Centre county, where he has made his home since 1868. It is a most beautiful place, pleasantly situated within a half mile of State College, and plainly indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. A man of great energy and more than ordinary business capacity, his success in life has been largely due to his own efforts, and the sound judgment by which he has taken good advantage of his own resources. Mr. Hartswick was born in Harris township, Centre county, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Miller) Hartswick, also natives of Centre county, where they were married January 2, 1830. By trade the father was a blacksmith. His father, who was a native of Holland, crossed the Atlantic to the New World in 1792, landing at Philadelphia, while his wife (who was a Miss Boozer) was born in Switzerland. Our subject was third in order of birth in their family of eight children, the others being as follows: (1) Dr. John G. was successfully engaged in the practice of medicine for forty years in Clearfield, Penn., and for two years in Hublersburg, Centre county; he died in March, 1896, leaving a widow and one son and one daughter. (2) Margaret is the widow of Henry Evey, who was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania during the Civil war, and left seven children. (4) Adam M. married Sarah Mothersbaugh, of Altoona, Penn. (5) Christian died in 1853, in his seventeenth year. (6) Elizabeth died in May, 1841, at the age of six years. (7) May J. died in Clearfield, Penn., in 1891. (8) William H., born in 1841, died the same year. In the free schools of Centre county, H. B. Hartswick acquired his literary education, and in 1852 he began teaching before there was a super- 486 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. intendent of schools in Pennsylvania. For a time he followed that profession, but throughout the greater part of his business career he engaged in farming with good success. On March 20, 1861, he married Miss Margaret Neidigh, and to them were born seven children (three of whom survive): (1) Anna M. died in infancy. (2) Clara E. died August 1, 1890, when in her twenty-fifth year; she would have graduated the following year from the State College of Pennsylvania. (3) J. Milton, born November 4, 1868, married Helen McCalmont, and has three children; he was educated in the State College, and is a teacher by profession, making his home in Ferguson township. (4) Naomi died in infancy. (5) Newton Neidigh, born August 10, 1872, married Elizabeth Thomas, and lives in Ferguson township; he also was educated in the State College, and is now successfully engaged in teaching. (6) Adam H., born February 16, 18--, married Annie Clinger. (7) Christian W., born January 29, 1879, died July 26, 1884. Mr. Hartswick is not an active politician, but quietly votes, as his sentiments and beliefs dictate, with the Republican party. A conscientious, Christian gentleman, he is a faithful member of the Reformed Church. Intelligent, affable and courteous, he is a true type of an American citizen, and his circle of friends throughout the community is only limited by his circle of acquaintances. 1900 Ferguson Township, Centre County census - Henry Hartswick, 67 Margaret Hartswick, 58