Columbia County PA Archives Biographies.....HARMAN, John G. 1873 - 
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  Author: Biographical Publishing Co.
  
  JOHN G. HARMAN,* the popular district attorney of Columbia County, is an
  enterprising young lawyer, who, although he has had but a few years' practice,
  gives promise of future greatness. He was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia County,
  March 16, 1873, and is a son of Peter S. and Rebecca (Freeze) Harman. His
  paternal grandfather was George Harman, who was born in Northumberland County,
  Pa., but settled in Mifflin township, Columbia County, in 1833. Early in life he
  learned the trade of a tanner, and after locating in Orangeville he purchased
  and operated a tannery for many years. He folded his hands in final rest at the
  age of eighty-three years. He chose as his companion in life Mary Knorr, by whom
  he had a large family of children, one of whom was Peter S. Harman.
  
    Peter S. Harman, the father of our subject, when thirteen years of age left
  the parental roof to make his way in the world. He learned the trade of a
  molder, serving an apprenticeship under Louis H. Maus of Bloomsburg, after which
  he followed that occupation as a journeyman for two years in several cities in
  the West. Upon returning East he. located in Philadelphia, where for three years
  he was engaged in the same line of work. He conducted a machine shop and foundry
  at Ma-hanoy for three years. He then moved to Bloomsburg and formed a
  partnership with B. F. Sharpless, and they conducted a foundry for four years,
  after which he conducted it alone for two years. In 1875, in company with George
  Hassert, a skilled mechanic, Mr. Harman bought the old Barton farm, upon which
  they erected a building and began the manufacture of stoves, plows, and mining
  cars. Their success was immediate and the business grew with such rapidity that
  it was necessary to enlarge the plant in 1879, and they have since given
  employment to sixty hands the year around. It is one of the principal industries
  in the vicinity. When the elevator works failed. Mr. Harman was one of the first
  to advance the necessary capital to place it on its feet again and revive the
  business interests of the town. He purchased a house and lot of John Penman on
  Iron street and built a fine residence, in which he and his family have since
  resided. In 1856 he married Rebecca Freeze, a daughter of James and Frances
  (Goss) Freeze, and they became the happy parents of seven children, a record of
  whom is as follows: Frank F., who died at the age of five years; Howard F., who
  died at the age of three; Grace, the wife of Daniel Butler; Fanny, wife of
  William E. Hartman; Jennie, who married Amos H. Stroh; James Lee, who married
  Jessie Kimble, was an apprentice to the trade of a molder, but is now the
  bookkeeper of his father's firm; Mary, who is at home; John G., in whom the
  interest of this sketch centers; and Paul Z., a student at the Bloomsburg State
  Normal School. Politically Mr. Harman was originally a Whig, but is now an
  unswerving Republican; he has served on the town council for three terms and has
  been president of it for four years. Religiously he is a liberal supporter of
  the Episcopal Church. -He is very prominent socially, being past master of
  Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., past high priest of Bloomsburg Chapter,
  No. 218, R. A. M.; past E. M. T. commander of Crusade Commandery, No. 12,
  Knights Templar; and V. G. treasurer of Zerrubabel Council, P. of J. John G.
  Harman, after completing the required course in the public schools, attended the
  State Normal School at Bloomsburg, from which institution he graduated with the
  class of 1891. He then read law under Col. John G. Freeze, one of the most
  distinguished lawyers of Columbia County, and was admitted lo the bar in May,
  1894. He immediately was taken in as a partner to his former preceptor, Col.
  Freeze, and they have since practiced together. Being an earnest and eloquent
  pleader, our subject rose rapidly in his chosen profession to a position of
  prominence. In September, 1896, he was appointed district attorney to succeed T.
  B. Hanley. He completed the term of office in a satisfactory manner, and January
  1, 1897, was elected to that office, which he has creditably filled since.
  
    Mr. Harman was united in hymeneal bonds to Mary Sherwood, daughter of H. G.
  Sherwood of Bloomsburg, who is loved by a large circle of friends for her many
  estimable traits of character.
  
  
  
  Additional Comments:
  * The information contained in this biography was supplied by the subject of
  this sketch. A type-set copy of the biography was sent to the subject to be
  proof-read, but the subject did not edit and return the copy, so this biography
  may contain typographical errors.
  
    Extracted from:
      
      Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District
      Published by 
      Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899)
  
  
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