Columbia-Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Harman, Peter S. 1831 - 

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Author: Biographical Publishing Co.



PETER S. HARMAN. The gentleman whose name heads this biography is one of the

best known men of Columbia County, and is greatly respected by the citizens of

Bloomsburg for his sterling worth and integrity as a neighbor, a gentleman, and

citizen. He is senior member of the firm of Harman & Hassert, the largest

car-builders and machinists of Bloomsburg. Our subject was born in Mifflin

township, Columbia County, Pa., June 5, 1831, and is a son of George and Mary

(Knorr) Harman.



  George Harman was a native of Northumberland County, Pa., and settled in

Miffiin township, Columbia County, in 1833; later he located in Orangeville

where he followed his trade as a tanner, having learned it during his boyhood

days. He was very successful and by his energy, industry and the exercise of

economy, amassed a fortune and spent his latter days in ease and comfort. He

passed from this life at the age of eighty-three years.



  Peter S. Harman, when only thirteen years of age, left the parental roof to

serve an apprenticeship to the molder's trade, working with Louis H. Maus, of

Bloomsburg. He then traveled through the West, working at his trade as a

journeyman, later going to Philadelphia, where he worked for three years; in

1861 he moved to Mahanoy City, Pa.; and for three years conducted a foundry and

machine shop. Removing to Bloomsburg he formed a partnership with Benjamin F.

Sharpless and operated a foundry and machine shop under the name of Sharpless &

Harman. Four years later Mr. Harman established his present business. In 1875,

in company with George Hassert, a skilled mechanic and industrious workman, our

subject purchased a tract of land, formerly known as the Barton farm, erected a

building 50 by 60 feet, and began the manufacture of the Eclipse cooking stove

and heater, and the Montrose plough. The business, conducted under the firm name

of Harman & Hassert, increased so rapidly that in 1879 they bought more land and

in 1880 built a large addition to their shop; it now has 300 feet frontage on

East street and is 300 feet deep. They have added the manufacture of mining cars

and castings, machinery for constructing and operating mines, and a repair shop,

and they give employment to about 60 men who turn out first-class work. Our

subject is truly a self-made man, and owes his present good standing to his

energetic and industrious habits. He always has taken an active interest in the

progress of his adopted town, and when the elevator works failed he was among

the first to put money in and assist it to run again, thus giving employment to

a large number of men and assisting materially to keep up the business interests

of the town.



  Mr. Hartman purchased a lot of John Penman on Iron street upon which he built

the handsome house in which he now resides. In 1856 he was united in the bonds

of matrimony with Rebecca Freeze, a daughter of James and Frances (Goss) Freeze;

her father was one of the early millers of Bloomsburg. Our subject and wife have

reared seven children, of whom those surviving are well established in life and

are popular and well-to-do in the various localities in which they reside. These

children were as follows: Frank F., who died aged five years; Howard F., who

died aged three years; Grace, the wife of Daniel Butler; Fanny, wife of William

E. Hartman; Jennie, who wedded Amos H. Stroh; James Lee; Mary; John G., who is

district attorney of Columbia County; and Paul Z., the youngest, a student at

the Bloomsburg State Normal School. Mr. Hartman was formerly a Whig, but has

been a stanch Republican since the formation of the party. He has served as

-president of the Bloomsburg borough council for four years, and as councilman

three years. Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal Church. Our subject is

one of the most substantial and active Masons in the county; is past master of

Washington Lodge, No: 265, F. & A. M.; past high priest of Bloomsburg Chapter,

No. 218, R. A. M.; past T. I. G. master of Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S.

M.; past E. M. T. commander of Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T.; and is V. G.

treasurer of Zerrubbabel Council, P. of J., 16th degree.



  James Lee Harman married Jessie Kimble, served an apprenticeship to the

molder's trade, and is now bookkeeper in his father's office. He is prominently

connected with Masonic societies, having received the 32d degree. He is T. I. G.

M. of Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. and L.; T. P. G. M. of Enoch Grand Lodge

of Perf., I4th degree, Ancient and Scottish Rite; grand treasurer of Caldwell

Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32d degree; and treasurer of Orient Conclave, No. 2.



   Portraits of Peter S. and James Lee Harman appear on a preceding page.





Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

  

  Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District

  Published by 

  Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)









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