The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-10-19
PETER s. HARMAN.
Death Claimed Him Last Sunday. After a
Long Illness.

A man who has long been identified
with the business interests of Blooms
burg has passed away. Peter S. Har-
man, after an illness of many months,
died peacefully at six o'clock on Sun
day morning, aged 6S years, 4 months
and 10 days. HIS death was caused
by clrrhosis of the liver and degenera-
tion OF the organs generally, as shown
by an autopsy held on Monday. He
had been Ill SO long, and SO many
times seemingly at the point of death
that his demise was not unexpected,
and yet when it did come it was re-
ceived with sadness and regret by
large circle of friends.
Mr.. Harman was born in Orange
vile, Columbia county, June S, 1881.
He was son of George and Mary
(Knorr) Harman. Two brothers sur
vive him, James b, of Orangeville,
and Henry c., of Downington. His
father was native of Northumber-
land county and when he came to Co
lumbia county settled first at Miff1in-
vile and later moved to Orangeville
where he followed the tanning bust.
ness, and died there in 1881. Peter
learned the trade OF moulder when
but thirteen years of age with l.. II.
Maus, then of this town, and followed
it at different places until 1861, when
he engaged in business for himself in
Mahanoy City where he operated a
machine shop and foundry for about
three years. Later he came to
Bloomsbury and formed partnership
with B. F. Sharpless and carried on
the iron business for several years in
the old foundry that stood at the in
tersection OF Third and Centre streets.
Later on the partnership with Mr..
Sharpless was dissolved and new
firm formed by Mr.. Harman and Mr..
George Hassert under the present
well-known name of Harman & Has
sert, and the business prospered from
the beginning. Mr.. Hassert died Oc.-
ober 26th, 1850, since which time un-
til little over six months ago MIR.
Harman gave the firms affairs close
and personal attention, always ranking
among the foremost OF active wide
awake and successful business men.
He was the Oldest practical manufac-
turer in the iron industry in this Sec
tion of the state.
He served year or two as member
of the Town Council, and in 1887 he
was elected to the position Of Presi-
dent of Town Council, reelected in
1888 and 1889, and again IN 1891.
The fact of his repeated reelection
shows that he performed his duties
faithfully, and with satisfaction to hi:
fellow-Citlzens.
MIR. Harman was prominent Mas
on. He was a member and past of
hcer in each of the following bodies
and had been treasurer of Caldwell
Consistory up to within year ago:
Washington Lodge No. a65, F. & A
NJ, Bloomsburg Chapter No. 2I'
Royal Arch Masons, Mt. MORTAL
Council No. 10, r. & S. NJ, Crusade
Commandry No. IL, Knights Temp
lar, Caldwell Conslstory, Ancient 8
Accepted Scottish Rite, of thirty
second degree, Irem Temple M. S
and Orient Conclave No. 2. Red Cros
Of Constantine.
In 1856 Mr.. Harman was married
to Miss Rebecca Freeze, and unit
them were born nine children, sevel
of whom with their mother are living
namely: Grace wife OF Daniel Butler
Fanny wife of w. f. Hartman, enni
wife OF A. H. Stroh, J. Lee, John G.
Mary and Paul, all residing in Bloom:
burg except Mrs. Stroh who lives i
Pittston.
Mr.. Harman was an active and use
full citizen. Under his skillful guic
ance the extensive car shops an
foundry of Harman & Hassert bt
came one of the leading industries
the town, employing large numbe
of hands, and they never shut dow
during all the hard times. He wi
be missed in the family circle and
business circles.
The funeral took place on Wedne
day at two o'clock. The services {
the house were conducted by Rev. l
N. Kirkby, and tine burial was
charge of the Masons whose beautif
ritual was read. The floral offering
were numerous and beautiful.