BIO: Theodore C. HARTER, native of Nescopeck, Luzerne County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com June 29, 2005, 4:22 pm Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/luzerne/ _______________________________________________ Author: Biographical Publishing Co. DR. THEODORE C. HARTER. We have the pleasure to present to our readers the biography of one of Bloomsburg's foremost physicians and surgeons, whose excellent reputation for professional honor and skill has been acquired through a general practice in Bloomsburg, extending from 1880 until the present time. He was born in Nescopeck, Pa., November 10, 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Dietrich) Harter, and a grandson of Martin Harter. Martin Harter was a farmer who resided near the village of Nescopeck; he was also engaged in hauling produce to the markets of Philadelphia, as that was the only means of transportation, and in return he brought back merchandise. He reared a family of children, one of whom was Jacob, the father of our subject. Jacob Harter's chief occupation throughout life was farming. He purchased a farm when he grew to manhood and in addition to farming operated a saw-mill and was extensively engaged in the lumber business. Later he learned the brick mason's trade, which he worked at for a short time, when he purchased a farm in Mifflin township. Columbia County, Pa. In 1862 Mr. Harter enlisted in Company A, Pa. Vol. Inf., and after serving nine months was wounded in the battle of Yorktown, which rendered him unfit for further duty and finally resulted in his discharge. He was joined in marriage to Margaret Dietrich and they were the parents of the following children: Martin; Jacob; Lucinda; Aaron; John; A. Luther; Theodore C., our subject; and Delilah, Catherine, Nathan and Sarah, all deceased. Mr. Harter died at the age of sixty-four years. The mother of our subject died aged sixty-seven. Dr. Harter received his primary education in the public schools, which was later supplemented by a course in Dickinson's Academy and the Bloomsburg State Normal School. He then studied medicine under Dr. B. F. Gardner, one of Columbia County's most noted physicians and surgeons, and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Md., graduating from that institution in 1880, He then settled in Nescopeck, where he practiced a short time, and finally selected Bloomsburg as an eligible field for his future operations. There he has prospered and has become a successful physician and a popular member of the community. Our subject's office is located on the corner of East and Main streets; he makes a specialty of throat, heart and lung diseases, and for several years was jail physician and surgeon for the county. He is also engaged extensively in the real estate business, having built nineteen tenement houses located on Seventh and Eighth streets. He also owns a handsome brick block adjoining his office and residence. Dr. Harter formed a matrimonial alliance with Martha Alice Snyder, a daughter of Daniel Snyder, who was born in Northampton County, Pa., and was a son of John Snyder. Daniel Snyder and his brother were engaged in farming on the old homestead and later Mr. Snyder learned the tanner's trade. In 1810 he removed to Columbia County, where he purchased ten acres of land and engaged in farming; the house in which he lived was an old log cabin and stood where our subject's office is now. He also built a two-story brick building, which was known as the Forks Hotel, on the corner of East and Main streets. He owned several farms in Columbia County, and was one of the progressive men of his community. He was a member of the state legislature several years. He wedded Mary Magdalene Mickley, a daughter of Peter Mickley of Allentown, and a family of ten children was the result of the union, namely: William; Sarah A.; Melvina; Polly; Daniel; Mary B.; Annie; Matilda; Mary; and Martha Alice, the wife of our subject. Dr. Harter is a member and past master of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 265, of Bloomsburg; of the R. A. M.; I. O. H.; P. O. S. of A.; Sons of Veterans; and Jr. O. of U. A. M., and an ex-member of the K. of M. and I. O. O. F. It is with pleasure that we present an excellent portrait of Dr. Harter on another page. Dr. Harter's resemblance to Gen. U. S. Grant is remarkable and has quickly been noted wherever he has been, particularly by veterans who served under Grant. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 4.9 Kb