The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-30

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! On Sunday morning last. oneof the mos
useful and public spirited citizens OF Au
gusta county, passed AWAY. From nj
earliest manhood, Robt. s. Harnsbergel
had been intimately identified with thu
active business and progressive agencies
Of Augusta county. He was negative II
nothing. Clear-headed. determined and
self-polsed, he met every interest of public
concern with directness and prompt
tude born of positive convictions. Gen
erous in his nature, liberal in his views
and tenacious IN his friendship, he enjoyed
the esteem and respect of all classes OF
citizens, and was regarded as one of the
progressive men and enlightened factors
in public affairs.
Robt. Samuel Harnsberger was born
Aug. %, 1928, and was descended from
Swiss origin. His neutrality-suspicious.,
Adam, came to this country in ITO with
Gov. Spottswood, and settled in what was
Orange county. His great grandfather,
Stephen, lived and married in what is now
Culpeper county. His grandfather, Robert,
married Christina Miller in 1850. His
father, Stephen, was born in Augusta
county and married Elizabeth, daughter
of Capt. Michael Baker, of Rockingham,
who served with that rank in the Reyo-
lutionary war. Stephen Harnsberger,
father of the subject of this article, SET
tied at Port Republic, in Rockingham
county, where he reared large family,
and died there some years ago. Robt. came
to Augusta, to live with his uncle Sam l..
Harnsberger, at Willow Spout, in 1883.
In 1849 he married Rebecca, a daughter OF
VIM. Ingles, of Tennessee, we believe.
Their children are DR.. Stephen, W. L.,
Edward NJ, Jno Baldwin, and Bessie b.
Harnsberger. His surviving brothers are
Henry b., for number Of years repre-
sentative in the Legislature from Rock
ingham, and Joseph, who reside at the
old homestead at Port Republic.
Robt. S. Harnsberger was considered
one of the most sagacious and enterpris-
ing business men and farmers Of Augusta
county. His attractive home, five miles
north of Staunton, indicates the care and
Judgment with which he managed his
property and his success as tiller OF the
soil. He manifested a lively interest in all
public affairs. and especially in enterprises
relating to the interests of agriculture.
Up to within two weeks Of his death he
was almost daily visitor to Staunton,
where his genial disposition, intelligent
conversation, and correct business views
assured him cordial welcome. When it
was announced that he was seriously ill.
the utmost concern was manifested in all
circles of society, and impatient inquiry
was made each day of his condition.
When it was announced that his disease
had assumed the form Of consumption of
the bowels and that recovery was impos-
sible, the high. esteem in which he was
held was prominently manifested. He
died on Sunday morning, the Goth, in the
possession of all his faculties, conscious
to the last, and surrounded by his entire
family. Although not amember OF any
church, his religious convictions were
clear and unclouded. The writer OF this
notice had frequently, in conversation
with him, referred to questions relating
to the life here and hereafter, and always
found him pronounced and distinct in his
views of the cardinal doctrine OF Chris
tianity, and in these convictions he died.
He was buried at the Augusta church on
the morning of the 2Sth, a very large con-
course of citizens from every portion OF
the county attending to attest their appre-
citation of his worth and the public loss
the county had sustained. The funeral
services were conducted by Rev. Geo. L.
Bitter, recently called the pulpit OF
Augusta Church, assisted by Rev. A. +.
Laird, of Mt. Horeb. After reading a
chapter from 1st Corinthians relating to
the resurrection, Mr.. Bitter preached a
touching and feeling discourse from the
5th and 9Th verses of the SD Psalm, at the
conclusion of which the casket was con-
veyed to the cemetery by the following
al-bearers: Sam1. III. McCue, F. M.
Bell, Jacob p. Hamilton, Sam1. Croft,
Jas. H. Blackley. P. E. Wilson, s. M.
Yost and J. Howard Wayt.
A good and useful man has thus passed
away. He will be missed in the business
and social circles of Staunton and Augusta
county, and void created around the
home-hearth where he was the idol OF
devoted hearts and the tenderest affec-
tions. which cannot be filled. To his es-
timable widow and dew oted children we
extend our heartfelt sympathy in this hour
of their bereavement.