Harrison Co., WV: Bios - William J. S. Harmer
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Submitted by Valerie Crook

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., 
Chicago and New York, Volume III
pg. 80-81
Harrison County

WILLIAM J. S. HARMER. Prosperity is not only a matter
of material possessions, but, even better, of that happiness
which results from doing for others. It is prosperity of this
kind that is reflected in the career of William J. S Harmer,
at the head of the oldest established business in Shinnston.
With two exceptions he has lived longer in that, his native
town, than any resident still there.

He was born at Shinnston February 13, 1856. His father
came to Shinnston in 1852, and in the same year established
himself in business as a wagon-maker and undertaker. The
chief service of the undertaker at that time was to provide
the casket. William J. S. Harmer as a boy became an appren-
tice to his father and learned the trade of wagon-maker and
the profession of undertaking. When his father died his will
contained a provision that his son, William, buy and continue
the old established business. It was in compliance with
that request that W. J. S. Harmer became proprietor and has
continued the business up to the present time. Within his
own experience have come about and have been introduced
into his establishment at Shinnston many of the most im-
portant advances in the undertaker's art. He has kept his
service apace with the demands of the time and he has pro-
vided the facilities and service of a high class funeral director,
and many times has virtually taken the place of the minister
in reading the burial service and delivering the general sermon.
This part of his work is not merely professional, but the pro-
ceeds from an honest Christian character and conduct main-
tained since boyhood when he was converted and became
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He early
began the performance of official duties in his church, and for
fifty-six years has been a regular attendant at Sunday School,
having failed to attend such service only three Sundays,
when providentially hindered. For thirty years he was
superintendent of the Sunday School. This is a record such
as few West Virginians can exhibit.

Mr. Harmer on January 15, 1880, joined the lndependent
Order of Odd Fellows, and from that date has been a zealous
member of the fraternity. He has also rendered public
duty as a citizen, holding a number of offices, including three
terms as street commissioner, two terms as assessor, a number
of terms on the City Council and five terms as mayor of
Shinnston. In politics he has always been a republican.

The life of Mr. Harmer has been an exceedingly active
one, and exemplary in every relationship. His word is
regarded as good as his bond, and he has always maintained
the strictest regard for honesty and the keeping of a promise.

Mr. Harmer is descended from an old and highly respected
American family. His great-grandfather, Jacob Harmer,
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After doing his
duty as a patriot soldier he located at Germantown, Pennsyl-
vania. His son, Jacob Harmer, Jr., was born at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, January 23, 1794, and died at Winchester,
Virginia, March 8, 1868. He married Eliza Tyson Ham
Their children were: Benjamin Tyson, Peter Ham, Emily
Susan, James Albert, Theodorick S., John E., Edgar R.,
Mary J., Anna Virginia, Joseph J. and William H. H.

Benjamin Tyson Harmer, the father of the Shinnston
business man and citizen, was born January 1, 1824, and died
December 4, 1890. He lived at Shinnston from 1852 until
his death, and in that time he exerted the influence of a high
character and a busy life upon the community. He was an
active member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church
for thirty-six years, was a veteran member of the Odd Fellows,
served at one time as president of the County Court and was
a republican.

He married Margaret Shepler, and their children were:
Benjamin Tyson, William J. S., James Albert, Lloyd M.,
Mary Virginia, Harvey Walker, Charles Leslie and Elizabeth.

On June 17, 1880, William J. S. Harmer married Ida Susan
Curry. She was born near the Natural Bridge in Amherst
County, Virginia, August 7, 1859. The children born to the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harmer are: Frank Roscoe, who
died at the age of nine years; Ella C., who died when six
years old; Josephine, born October 16, 1888; Edgar J., born
June 11,1891; and Beulah, born July 13,1894.

Edgar J. Harmer, now associated with his father in busi-
ness at Shinnston, in the firm of William J. S. Harmer and
Son, was a volunteer in the great war, joining the Naval
Reserve Corps May 7, 1918. He was in training for a time
and was then detailed to the Medical Officers' Armed Guards
at Newport News, Virginia, and served there until his honor-
able discharge on February 3, 1919.

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