Harshbarger line: Bits and pieces from the Emanuel Harshbarger family

Here are some bits and pieces from the life of the Emanuel Harshbarger family, as found on Newspapers.com

From the Commercial Mail, Columbia City, Indiana Jan. 11, 1958, in a column that was looking back 50 years:

"The Emanuel Harshbarger family reported they thought they were the county's bread-eating champions.  They baked 738 loaves of bread during 1907, also ate 483 cookies and 106 pies." 

I don't have death dates noted for all of the eight children in this family, but I think some were already gone by then.  Grover Harshbarger was just ready to turn 17, and I suspect he ate like a growing boy. In the 1910 census, just Grover and his brother Logan were listed as living at home.  Daughter Bertha, then 13, was listed in the 1900 census.  So the family that ate all this food wasn't large, unless perhaps Clara sold some of the excess to neighbors or a grocery store. 

Then from the Commercial Mail, May 27,1961, also looking back 50 years:

"Ambrose Keister, Troy township, had a barn raising when a 30x50 foot barn with an L was raised by Emanuel Harshbarger and his special equipment."  I'd love to know how that was done, and what the special equipment was!

And finally, from The Fort wayne Sentinel, of January 13, 1920

"Fire Does Slight Damage.  (Special to the News.) Columbia City, Ind. Jan. 12.--

Fire was discovered in the Emanuel Harshbarger home, two miles north of town, at 9 o.clock yesterday morning, but little damage was done.  it was communicated from a defective chimney in the space between the door and ceiling and it was necessary to chop several holes in the upstairs floor to get at the smouldering blaze.  The family washing was being done and plenty of water was standing in vessels with which to fight the fire, which was finally extinguished by members of the family.  The loss was small and was covered by insurance." 

The common thread I'm seeing here was that this was a hard-working family.  These are the kind of people who made America. 

The line of descent:

Emanuel Harshbarger-Clara Harter
Grover Harshbarger-Goldie Withers
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
Their descendants 

Harshbarger line: Emanuel Harshbarger 1854-1928

Here is a transcription of the obituary for Emmanuel Harshbarger.  The newspaper is from Columbia City, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, May 9, 1928 but the header is missing.  This may be from the Columbia City Post.

Headlines: " Emanuel Harshbarger Dies at His Home Sunday   Death Took Place at 3:30 A.M. As Result of Illness Due to Diabetes And Goitre-Funeral Services Tuesday Afternoon at Thorn Creek Bethel." (All of this was in capital letters but that seemed to be too "loud" so I toned it down.)

"Emanuel Harshbarger, 74 years old last July, died Sunday morning at 3:30 o'clock at his home in Thorncreek township on the old Tri-Lake Road two miles north of Columbia City after an illness due to goitre, diabetes, and complications.  Mr. Harshbarger had been in failing health and became seriously ill seven weeks ago.  His daughter, Mrs. Simon Gardner, cared for him since that time.  Mr. Harshbarger went to the Cryle clinic at Cleveland, Ohio for a week but was unable to obtain pronounced relief and it was found there that he was suffering from diabetes. 

He was born in Summit County, Ohio on July 28, 1854 (date is fuzzy but I think this is what it says) and was a son of Lewis and Catherine Mencer Harshbarger.  The parents of Mr. Harshbarger brought him to Union township, Whitley county, when he was but three years old.  He resided on that farm until thirty-nine years ago when he purchased the farm on which he resided at the time of his death.

Mr. Harshbarger owned the saw mill on his farm for seventeen years and owned it previous to the time he began operating his cider mill.  The cider mill was in operation until last year when Mr. Harshbarger discontinued it.  In addition to running the mills Mr. Harshbarger also moved buildings and farmed.

On May 5, 1876 Mr. Harshbarger was united in marriage to Clara Ellen Harter, who died three years ago.  Eight children were born to this union, of whom four are living, namely: Grover Harshbarger, of Huntington, Mrs. Simon Gardner, Mrs. Charles Shepherd and Logan Harshbarger, of Columbia City.  The deceased is survived by one brother, Henry, of Jefferson township and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Smith of Columbia township, and Mrs. Cassie Banta, of Fort Wayne, and seven grand children and four great grandchildren.

Mr. Harshbarger united with a church in Union township when a young man.  He was highly respected and well liked by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30o'clock at the Thorncreek Bethel Church of God.  Rev. Emma Isenbarger will conduct the services and burial will be in the church cemetery.

Note:  The birthdate we have is July 16, 1855 and the location we have is Stark County, Ohio.  It is more likely to be Summit County.  I can't reconcile the birthdates, but since his tombstone also says July, 1854 I am changing my records for both date and location.  I also note that I am missing two children, who would have died young, in my records.  Reading an obituary is a very good thing to do!

The line of descent is:

Emanuel Harshbarger-Clara Ellen Harter
Grover Harshbarger-Goldie Withers
Cleveland Harshbarger-Mary Margaret Beeks
Their descendents