USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume II > Part 18
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On January 27, 1869, Mr. Hardenbergh was married to Susan K. Pellett, daughter of Gurdon Pellett, of Paupac, Pike County, Pennsylvania, and granddaughter of John Pellett. The latter was one of the first settlers along the Wallen-Paupac River, whence he immigrated from New England and assisted in forming the Paupac Settlement in the face of the hostile storms created by roving bands of Indians, which infested that part of the country, and with whom the little colony had a number of encounters from time to time. As a result of this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harden- bergh have two children, Raymond Waite Hardenbergh and Clara Louise Hardenbergh. Mr. Hardenbergh is a member of the Exchange Club, the Masons, Red Men, Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, Order of Railway Conductors and a number of others.
FRANK G. HARRIS.
HE life of a boy, bereaved, at an early age, of father and mother, and forced to go into the world's bat- tle unguided by parental hand and without instruc- tion at a mother's knee, is far from an enviable one; and he who can avoid the pitfalls and sur- mount the obstacles that bestrew the path of an orphan lad deserves double commendation. The inspiring encouragement of a father, the gentle counsel of a mother never aided Frank G. Harris in his upward struggle, but the manliness, the sturdy strength of mind and the ambition which he inherited from his parents have been his guiding stars. Beginning actual contact with the stern realities of life at an age when most lads are still at their books, he made his mark at every undertaking in which he engaged, still keeping before him that hope of some day being able to enjoy the educational advantages which circumstances had denied to him. This thought never deserted him, but in his hours of labor the aspirations to greater things spurred him on. Finally his dreams were realized, and the education for which he had longed was his. That he has used it and his talents to good advantage, the story of his life will prove.
FRANK G. HARRIS, of Clearfield, was born on the 6th day of November, 1845, at Karthaus, Pennsylvania. His parents were John and Eleanor Graham Harris, the former of whom was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, coming to Pennsylvania when he had reached the age of thirty. The mother was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and the daughter of Francis and Jane Graham. The difficulties which Frank G. Harris has successfully surmounted show him to have inherited all the rugged strength of his paternal
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ancestry, and a determination to succeed received from his mother's family, which was among the earliest of those fearless pioneers who had transformed a wilderness into one of the most prosperous countries on the face of the globe. His early schooling was extremely limited, as his parents died when he was but a small boy, and he was unable to attend the public schools after he had reached the age of twelve years. But in his short scholastic career he imbibed a love of learning which spurred him on in the years of his toil and which he was able to gratify after he had attained man's estate. After the death of his parents he made his home with Colonel S. C. Patchin, who had married Hetty Graham, his mother's sister. While still but a lad he began to work on his uncle's farm and as a laborer in the saw mills in the summer; in the winter going into the woods as a lumberman. At the age of fifteen he made his first trip down the Susquehanna on a raft of timber, yet when he was twenty he was considered one of the best pilots on the river. But such humble occupations, honorable though they were, did not satisfy his ambitions. He realized that he possessed talents which would gain him a higher place in the world than that of a common laborer, and he gave his spare hours to study. With such assiduity did he apply himself to his books that without any further schooling he was able to enter Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1873. Determined to obtain the best education that was within his reach, he then enrolled as a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in June, 1876.
At the term following his graduation from Lafayette College he was placed in the Principalship of the Grammar School of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, in which place he has since resided. But the occupation of teaching not being particularly congenial to him and the Bar offering special attractions, he determined to embrace the profession of law, and while still in charge of the school at Clear- field, with that energy which has ever been the keynote of his success, he applied himself to his books, being enrolled as a student of law with Murray & Gordon. The rapidity with which he
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mastered the intricacies of legal practice soon proved the wisdom of his choice, and he was admitted as a member of the Clearfield Bar on January 14, 1879, and to the practice of the profession of law he has ever since devoted a large part of his time and atten- tion. Mr. Harris, as a result, has won an enviable reputation and made a creditable record as an attorney. While teaching school and reading law he found time to build up a business as real estate and insurance agent, which he has since continued, and now divides his time between this calling and his growing legal practice.
Mr. Harris, politically, has always been a Republican, and in his district has taken an active part in the work of his organization. In the many campaigns of both the county and State he has been a prominent figure, having been one of the strongest speakers in every contest in his county for twenty years. In 1880 and 1881 he was Chairman of the Republican County Committee and, in 1883, was Delegate to the State Convention that nominated James A. Beaver for Governor. In 1880 he was elected to the Town Council of Clearfield, in which office he remained until 1887, being entrusted by that body with the duties of Town Clerk. In November, 1896, Mr. Harris was elected a member of the Legislature from Clearfield County. Mr. Harris is a member of the Judiciary General Committee, and is Chairman of the Game and Fish Committee of the House. He has taken an active part in all the business of that body, and in debate has won recog- nition as an orator of considerable ability.
On April 15, 1879, he was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Baird, of Clinton County, Pennsylvania. They have had three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom died during their childhood.
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FRANKLIN M. HARRIS.
RANKLIN M. HARRIS was born in Philadelphia, December 25, 1839. His paternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Delaware and were pioneers in the development of the Diamond State. His maternal progenitors were among the first wool manufacturers in Germantown, which many generations ago was the centre of this industry in Philadelphia. Mr. Harris' great- grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and followed General Washington through some of the most vigorous campaigns which culminated in the freedom of the United States and their recognition by the mother country. In the snow-bound camp at Valley Forge he was one of the bravest sufferers who took all the hardships incident to that historic campaign with stoicism and fortitude. Joseph Harris, his grandfather, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was as brave in the defense of his country as his father had been. Joseph Harris was also for many years one of the Commissioners of the old district of Moyamensing, and he was one of the first of the Harris family to adopt the building trade. He attained considerable reputation in this connection and achieved a notable distinction as a builder of some of the finest residences in the city. He erected Peale's Museum, which was long a historic structure. Mr. Harris' father was also a builder and was noted for his energy and his marked capability in the trade. He had a bright future, but was not destined to realize the full expectations that were entertained for him, for, while exe- cuting a large contract at Galveston, Texas, he was stricken with yellow fever and died before he had reached liis twenty-second year. This early loss was a great deprivation to the subject of
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this sketch, for, when he was merely a tot, his mother was left a widow, and as soon as he reached an age when he could be of any assistance he was compelled to shoulder the burden of respon- sibilities which seldom come to children so young. He received a good public school education, however, which was of much benefit to him, and after leaving school he was indentured to James W. Howard, a mason and builder, with whom he served an apprentice- ship of more than seven years. On reaching maturity he was made his employer's superintendent. He had bright prospects in the trade and was already becoming known as a thoroughly progressive young business man when the Civil War broke out. Into this strife, notwithstanding, he entered with the same patriotic energy and zeal which had animated his ancestors, and immediately after the attack on Fort Sumter he promptly responded to the call for troops. He enlisted in the Eighteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, into which he was mustered, April 24, 1861, and pro- ceeded to Baltimore for three months' service. On the 15th of August he enlisted for three years in the Ninety-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, known as "Goslin's Zouaves." As a member thereof Mr. Harris participated in such important and sanguinary battles as those of West Point, Gaines' Mills, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Freder- icksburg, Franklin's Crossing, Chancellorsville, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Rappahannock Station, Gettysburg, Mine Run, and numerous skirmishes. He was promoted from time to time until November 14, 1862, when he became First Lieutenant.
Until the second battle of Bull Run Lieutenant Harris had been in excellent health, but after that his strength gave way under the terrible strain, and in the spring of 1864 Colonel Car- rell, his commander, sent him home for light duty at Camp Cad- walader, where he remained until honorably discharged. After the war he resumed his business relation with Mr. Howard, forming a co-partnership under the name of James W. Howard & Com- pany, which continued until 1885, when he withdrew and engaged in business for himself. Mr. Harris, from that time on, has figured prominently in the development of the city of Philadelphia
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and in its building and real estate interests. He operated as an individual builder for four years, and, in 1889, he formed the present firm of Franklin M. Harris & Company. They have been engaged in the construction of some of the largest buildings in and around Philadelphia.
In 1889, at the suggestion of Ex-Mayor Stokley and other residents of the new Thirty-second Ward, Mr. Harris stood as thie Republican candidate for Select Council. The contest was a warm one, and Mr. Harris was elected representative of his party in Select Council from that time until the present. The esteem in which he is hield, both as a member of this body and as a citizen, has been indicated in the importance of the committees to which he lias been appointed. During 1892 and 1893 he was Chairman of the Electrical Committee; in 1893 and 1894, of the Railroad Committee, and since 1894, of the Steam Railroad Committee. In these capacities, as well as through his general interest in the affairs of Councils, his services have been of great value to the city and especially to his ward, which, being a new division of the city at that time, required an immense amount of care and good government to advance its interests along the same progres- sive lines as those which marked the improvements throughout the city at large. Mr. Harris was elected, in 1895, Commissioner for the erection of the Public Buildings, and is deeply interested as an official in numerous business concerns. He was President of the Master Builders' Exchange in 1894, and is also a leading member of the Bricklayers' Company. Socially, Mr. Harris is widely known, being a popular club man and a ready-witted after- dinner speaker. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Odd Fellows, Grand Army of the Republic, Manufacturers' Club, Columbia Club, Five O'clock Club, Exchange Club, Sons of Delaware, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the Franklin Institute. He is also a trustee of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church. He resides at 1820 North Broad Street. He has a fine library, where he spends most of his leisure time reading and studying.
THOMAS S. HARRISON.
IN diplomacy and commerce, as well as in the higher political affairs of his community, Thomas S. Har- rison, the subject of this biography, has for a number of years taken a leading part. Through a long and active career in the commerce of the country and its manufacturing interests, he has evidenced the possession of great ability, especially as a director of enterprises. In the administration of municipal affairs, he has from time to time been identified with reform movements; and as a traveled man, and one of large natural diplomacy, he was fittingly honored, in April, 1897, with the appointment as Consul-General and Diplomatic Agent to Cairo, Egypt.
THOMAS SKELTON HARRISON was born in Philadelphia in 1840. He is the son of Michael Lieb Harrison and Virginia Johnston, of Virginia. His father was the son of John Harrison, who founded the house of Harrison Brothers & Company, and a nephew of Dr. Michael Lieb, at one time a United States Senator from Pennsylvania. The family has given to Philadelphia, and the State, some of its best known and most notable men, not only in business, but as well in philanthropic, educational and political affairs. Mr. Harrison was educated in the private school of John W. Faires, from which he graduated to enter the Sopho- more Class of the University of Pennsylvania. This, indeed, was his original attention, but at the outset a business career held forth more inducements to him, and he preferred to accept the opportunities afforded by a participation in the commercial affairs of his community, rather than continue his education beyond the point which it had then reached. He entered the employ of Har-
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rison & Newhall, proprietors of the Pennsylvania Sugar Refinery. On July 6, 1861, he entered the United States Navy as Paymaster, and served until August 17, 1864. He participated in all the expeditions and engagements from Port Royal to the Savannah River, Fernandina, and around the west coast of Florida, and Egmont Keys. During his term of service in the navy, he was represented also in the Federal Army, having placed a soldier there at the beginning of the war. He is said to have been the only Union soldier, besides the Count of Paris, who did not draw his pay. The whole of this, amounting to $5,400, he gave to the War Library and Museum of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of Pennsylvania. This was one of the earliest acts of Mr. Harrison's career, in which he demonstrated his fealty to the best interests of the Commonwealth of which he was so energetic and progres- sive a son, and from time to time since then he has performed similar services.
When Mr. Harrison left the navy, he entered the firm of Harrison Brothers & Company, in which he has since been a partner. For seventeen years he was President of the Manufac- turing Chemists' Association of the United States, comprising over thirteen hundred establishments, and controlling $150,000,000 of capital, and is still interested in it. This is one of the most important organizations of the country, and the fact that Mr. Har- rison was chosen as its President speaks volumes for his ability, and indicates something of the esteem in which he is held by the leading men of the United States. Mr. Harrison took an active interest in the Centennial Celebration. He was Chairman of the Citizens' Committee that went to Harrisburg to obtain State aid, and his committee was successful. He was also Chairman of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Committee to entertain, in 1875, the Governors and editors of the West and Northwest, to interest them in the celebration, and he presided at the dinner given in the park at Albert Hall.
In the political conduct of the city of Philadelphia, the name of Harrison has always been prominently identified with move- ments tending towards reform. He was a member of the Execu-
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tive Committee of One Hundred, a member of the Committee of Fifty, and was one of the warmest supporters of the Bullitt Bill, being largely instrumental in securing its passage. As stated, in April, 1897, Mr. Harrison was appointed Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General of the United States at Cairo, Egypt, by President McKinley, being confirmed by the Senate the same month. He had never solicited the honor, but was selected as one of the most representative citizens to occupy such an important post. For this office Mr. Harrison is in every way fitted, both by experience and natural ability. Mr. Harrison had visited Egypt twice within a comparatively short time prior to his appointment. He became acquainted with the Khedive, and likewise acquired a considerable knowledge of the country. He returned from his last visit prior to his nomination by President Mckinley, in 1895, and sent as a gift to the Khedive a magnificent horse. In return he was deco- rated by His Highness, in 1896, and made Commander of the Imperial Order of the Medjidieh.
Aside from his official position as Diplomatic Agent, Mr. Har- rison finds his chief interests in the affairs of the firm of Harrison Brothers & Company, manufacturers of white lead, colors and chemicals, whose large establishment is located on Gray's Ferry Road. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Loyal Legion, and was the Senior Vice Commander of Pennsylvania during the years of 1894 and 1895. He is a member of the Union League, the Phil- adelphia, Art, Rabbit and Tuxedo clubs.
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WILLIAM J. HARVEY.
T HE pride of early American ancestry largely figures in the lines of social life, and Pennsylvania is unusually rich in its possession of notable men who have descended from patriotic sires. An Amer- ican with a family tree of several generations' growth upon this soil, William J. Harvey, President of the Wilkes- Barre Council and one of the most extensive real estate owners and operators in his section, is a scion of one of the leading Wyoming Valley families. John Harvey, a native of Massa- chusetts, was in the Narragansett War and was wounded in the Great Swamp Fight, December 19, 1675. He settled in Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, where he died in 1705. Benja- min Harvey, his grandson (the progenitor of the Wyoming Valley family), moved from Lyme, in 1772, with three sons and two daughters. One son died in the Continental Army in 1777, another was killed in the Wyoming Valley massacre, July 3, 1778; the father and his only remaining son, Elisha, were in the service of the United States at Wyoming Post, where, in December, 1780, they were captured by Indians and taken to Canada. The father was soon released, but the son was held until exchanged, two years later. The young frontiersman was the grandfather of William Jameson Harvey, the subject of this sketch. Returning from his captivity, he married, in 1786, Rosanna Jameson, of Con- necticut. Jameson Harvey, their son, took for his wife Mary Campbell, of Luzerne County, a granddaughter of Captain Lazarus Stewart, at one time the leader of the noted "Paxtang Rangers," and who fell at the head of a company of militia which he com- manded in the Wyoming massacre.
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WILLIAM JAMESON HARVEY was born in what is now West Nanticoke, Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, May 13, 1838. He received his education at the Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pennsylvania, at a private school in Middletown, Connecticut, and at the Edgehill School, Princeton, New Jersey. His father, in 1830, had opened the Harvey coal mine at Nanticoke, and the young inan, on leaving school, became manager of the mine. When the war broke out he was eager to fight for the Union. On October 15, 1861, he enlisted for three years as a private in Company F, of the Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers. On November 7th he was made First Lieutenant of Company I, and on the 20th the Adjutant of the regiment. At that time the regiment was in winter quarters at Camp Pierpont, Virginia, and had the reputation of being one of the best disciplined in the Reserve Corps. In the spring of 1862 the "Reserves " composed the Second Division of the First Corps, commanded by General McDowell, and during the Peninsular campaign was an important part of the Army of the Potomac. Adjutant Harvey participated in all the engagements, including Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill. The campaign in Maryland followed, with the battles of South Mountain, Antietam (where the Seventh Regiment met with severe losses) and the pur- suit of Stuart's Cavalry. After eight months of hard campaign- ing and fighting, the "Reserves" went into camp at Belle Plain, Virginia, November, 1862, and on the 25th of that month Adjutant Harvey resigned his commission and returned to his home. Early the next year he and his younger brother, Henry Harrison Harvey, under the firm name of Harvey Brothers, succeeded their father in the management of the Harvey mine, which they carried on until 1871, when the property was sold. Mr. Harvey and his brother were also engaged in the lumber business at Plymouth until 1886. In 1870 the Harvey Brothers and A. J. Davis secured the Wilkes- Barre and Kingston Street Railroad. William J. Harvey was Manager of the road and President of the company from 1871 to 1892, when the owners disposed of their franchise and stock. He has been a Director in the Miners' Savings Bank, Wilkes-Barre,
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since 1885; President of the Grand Opera Company since 1892, when its present handsome building was erected, and President of the Wyoming Valley Lace Mills since 1894. With his brother he has been engaged in the real estate and stock brokerage busi- ness for about twenty years. Mr. Harvey has for many years interested himself in breeding fine horses for speed and has owned some very valuable roadsters. In politics he is a Republican. He moved from West Nanticoke to Wilkes-Barre in 1871, and a few years later was elected a member of the School Board of the Third District. He served for about seven years, during five of which he was President. In February, 1885, he was elected to the City Councils and since then has been regularly returned. He was President of the Council from 1886 to April, 1891, and in May, 1894, was again chosen for the office, which he still occupies. In November, 1892, he was elected a Republican Presidential Elector from the Twelfth Congressional District. For more than twenty years he has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity; he is a Past Commander of Dieu C. Veut Commandery of Knights Temp- lar, Wilkes-Barre, of which he was a charter member; is a Noble of Irem Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and a Trustee of the Wilkes-Barre Lodge of the Order of Elks. He is a member of the Union League, Philadelphia, of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and Conyngham Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is President of the West Side Driving Association, honorary Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and a Vice-President of the Luzerne County Humane Association.
Mr. Harvey has been twice married; in 1869 to the daughter of Harrison Wright, of Wilkes-Barre, who died in 1877, leaving one son; and, in 1880, to Mrs. Amanda Laning Merritt, daughter of A. C. Laning, of Wilkes-Barre, who died in 1886, leaving one son.
JOHN HAUGH.
E ARLY in the first half of the century by the vast emigration from the old world to the new, there was transplanted upon Pennsylvania soil much of the energy which, in after years, largely contributed to the general era of prosperity with which the Commonwealth was blessed. As the State at large was benefited so were the individual factors who had a part in establishing its prosperous conditions. These are the men who to-day are spoken of as "self-made," and of their number John Haugh, who is widely known as one of Philadelphia's leading oil merchants, is entitled to recognition as a pioneer.
JOHN HAUGH was born at Clare, Ireland, June 20, 1835. His parents were Edward Haugh and Ellen Haugh, who were mem- bers of the higher agricultural class, and the son, John, received many well-taught lessons from them, although his regular school- ing was limited owing to their circumstances. His mother was a cousin of Eugene Curry, the great Irish historian and a man of much eminence in his country. John Haugh's education was re- ceived in village schools of Ireland and at night schools, as at the early age of fourteen years he was compelled to go to work in a grocery store. On March 17, 1848, he arrived in Philadelphia, having determined in his early youth to seek his fortune in the new world, and when he came to the Quaker City he went to what was then the separate village of Manayunk, where he ob- tained work in an old landmark there, a grocery store, in which he spent five years. For several years after this he was employed by Edward Campbell, another old resident of Philadelphia, whose business establishment was in Richmond, and then he found an
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