Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/499

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COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

tion in 1880. They were then employing from twenty to thirty hands. A t that time they added the manufacture o f mining cars and castings to the old lines, turned out all kinds o f machinery for ojKuing and operating mines, and established a complete *repair shop, repairing threshing machines, etc. Ihc foundry has a frontage o f 300 feet on the south end o f East street, near the Delaware & l4ickawanna railroad, and is 300 feet deep. S ixty men are employed regularly, and a large amount o f work is turned out, the methods of production and product Ikiuc kept strictly upto-date. M r. Ilam tan and M r. Hassert both hcing practical mechanics as well a s good nwmagcrs, the bu.siness has alw ays had the bene­ fit o f experienced and skillful supervision, and alt the work has l>ccn up to the highest stand­ ards. M r. Hannan continued his connection with the foundry until his death, which occurrcil Oct. 15, 1899. A fte r his w ife ’s death a few years later the business was incorporated as Harman & Hassert (In c.), and their son Jam es Lee Harman, who had been associated with his father from 1888, I>ccamc president and general iiunager. which rehtions he has since sustained. 'Ute plant is the Largest o f its kind in Bloomsburg. M r. Harman w as a self-made man. and w as as enlcritrising and progressive in every rcs|)cct as he w as in the promotion o f his ovm interests. He was alw ays concerned fo r the w elfare of the town and the general good, and gave practical proof o f his spirit when the elevator works failed, l>ctng one of the first to invest money to start same nmning again. Employment w as then given to a large number o f men and business interests were materially l)cncfi(cd. 1 le served four years as president of the fxtrough council o f Bloomsburg. and three years as councilman. H e w as originally a Whtg in ]>olitics and a Republican from the formation of the party, and in religious con­ nection a member of the Episcopal Church. Fratcnially he was a Mason, lie longing to Washington Lodge, No. 265. F, & A . M., of which he w as a past m aster: he w as a past high priest o f Bloomsburg Chapter, N o. 2 18, R. A . M .: past T . I. G . master o f Mount .Moriah Council, No. 10, K. & S . M .; past eminent commander o f Crusade Commandery, No. 12. K. T .; and <*. treasurer o f Zerubhabcl Council. P. o f J .. sixteenth degree. On Ju n e 29. 185b, M r. Harman married Reltccca Freeze, (laughter o f Jam es and Frances (G ossc) Freeze, the former one of the early milters o f Bloomsburg. T o this m ar­ riage were l>om nine children, two o f whom

died young, Fran k Freeze when five years old and llo w ard Feton at the age o f three, tbe others being: (irace, the w ife o f Daniel Butler; Fanny, w ife of W'illiam E . H artn u n; Jennie, who wedded A oh>s H . S tro h; Jam es Lee; M a ry; John G . F ., former district altome)' of Columbia coun ty; and Paul Zahner, who was educated at the Bloomsburg State normal school. The family home was on Iron street, M r. Harman having bought a lot o f John Pennvin on which he built a handsome residence. T he mother o f this fam ily died Ju ly 5, 1902. Jam es Lee Harman w as bom at Bloomsburg A pril 23, 1867, there received his early education in the public schools. Subsequently he studied four years at the Bloomsburg State N ornul school. H aving decided to enter his father’s field o f work, the molder's trade, he served a regular apprenticeship. He then took a course in business college at Scranton, Pa., graduating in 1888. after which he entered the office o f Hannan & Hassert’s establishment. Incoming bookkeeper. H e continued to be associated with his father in business until the lattcr’s death, since when he has had charge o f same as president and general nuinager. H e is one of the most successful business men in Bloomsburg, where his keen intelligence and strong qualities are much appreciated. Mr. Harman is (he owner of a farm convenient to B loom sbu ^ and spends much time in the scientific cultivation ot that property, in which work he finds pleasant recreation. H e is a high Mason, Itclonging to Washington l>odge, No. 265, F . & A . M., o f which he is a past m aster: to Bloomsburg R oyal Arch Chapter. No. 2 18 : Mount Moriah Council, No. to, R. & S, M . ( o f which he was T. I. G. M .) : Cru­ sade Commandery, N o. 12, K . T .; Enoch (irand l2)dge o f Perfection, fourteenth d ^ rc e, Scottish Rite (o f which he w as T. P. G. M .); Caldwell Consistof)*, S. P. R. S. (thirty-second degree), o f which he has lieen gnmd treas­ u rer; Oriental Conclave, X o. 2, o f which he has liecn treasurer; the Craftsm an Club of Bloom sbufxi and L u Temple, A. A. O. N. At. S., o f Philadelphia, lie takes a prominent part in the activities of these bodies. In church connection he is a true Episcopalian. On M ay 28, 1895, M r. Harman married Jessie Kimble, daughter o f Smith V, and Sarah (H ow ell) Kimble. M IIT O N J. H E S S. D. D. S ., was for over twenty vears a successful dental practitioner at BtoomsKurg. but is now giving all his time to business, principally lu m ^ r interests and the maiiagcinciit o the estate o f his brother.