Reading Eagle-Jul 30, 1914
VETERAN WRITES HIS OBITUARY
WITNESSED SHOOTING OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Florin Harbach shoemaker in Reading 40 years, who passed away in St Joseph's Hospital, kept his pledge never to reveal the burial place of Lincoln's assasin.
Florin Harbach, a Civil War veteran who for 40 years conducted a shoemaker shop in this city, and who wrote his own obituary, died of asthma and general dibility late Wednesday afternoon at the age of 75 years.
When an Eagle reporter called at the home of his daughter, Annie, wife of Henry D. Bennethum, 268 S. 17th St. , Mr. Bennethum was asked to search for a picture. While doing this he came across a time-worn piece of paper with an account of Mr. Harbach's life. The phrasing and general makeup indicates that the deceased wrote the sketch to be published with the account of his death. It was written with a copying pencil in a firm hand and did not give any indication of approaching feebleness. Mr Harbach had been a reader of the Eagle for many years and in view of this fact the paper was handed to the reporter. It follows:
"Florin Harbach was born in Bern township Jan 22, 1839, and was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah (nee Moyer) Harbach. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years. His mother died in 1847 and his father in 1852. The young boy was hired out as a farm hand to William Althouse until 16 years of age when he came to Reading and hired himself to John K Shoemaker, boatman. At the age of 19 he he hired out to Samuel Warley, who was well-known shoemaker, for three years.
On June 14, 1861 he enlisted in Company A, third regiment, P.R.V.C., for three years and was appointed corporal. He served throughout the war in the following engagements: Leesburg, Mechanicsville, Gainesville, Charles City Crossroads, Marlville Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In the last-named battle he was wounded and after a long illness he was discharged from the Eckington Hospital, D.C., on a surgeon's certificate, Feb 28 1863.
He re-enlisted on April 15, 1864, in company F, 14th regiment, V.R.C. and was discharged on Nov 14, 1865.
Deceased was married to Sallie E. Shoemaker on Jan 22, 1866, and four children were born to the couple: John H. -Reading, J. Irvin deceased, George S,- Reading, and Annie, wife of Harry D. Bennethum, this city. Mr. Harbach was a member of the Emblematic Lodge and was one of the organizers of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was a member of the McLean Post G.A.R. and the First Reformed Church. His wife died on March 12, 1895, and the deceased entered the Soldiers Home at old Port Comfort, Va, on May 11, 1897. He was the only surviving member of his immediate family. His father, mother and six brothers and sisters having passed away. Brothers Daniel, Franklin and Wellington served throughout the war in other regiments.
An incident which he was wont to relate to his family, but did not appear in his own handwriting was that he was one of the company of soldiers present when J. Wilkes Booth, assassin of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, was shot at Bowling Green, near Fredericksburg, Va., April 25, 1865. Here Booth had taken refuge in a barn. He refused to surrender and consequently the barn was fired. When the structure was almost consumed by the flames the fugitive was shot. Mr. Harbach claimed that he was one of a few men who buried Booth under a pledge that they would never reveal the spot where the interment was made. He sacredly kept the pledge. The deceased sometime before his demise as far as he knew all the comrades who assisted in this secret burial had passed away.
After the war Mr. Harbach opened a shoemaker shop in this city, conducting the business successfully at 844 N. Eighth Street, for about 40 years. He made a specialty of fine hand-made boots and shoes in which line of work he at times employed several hands a quartet century or more ago. During his stay at the soldier's home he was appointed captain of the ward to which he was assigned. He spent the winter months in that place and in the summer he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bennethum.
VETERAN WRITES HIS OBITUARY
WITNESSED SHOOTING OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Florin Harbach shoemaker in Reading 40 years, who passed away in St Joseph's Hospital, kept his pledge never to reveal the burial place of Lincoln's assasin.
Florin Harbach, a Civil War veteran who for 40 years conducted a shoemaker shop in this city, and who wrote his own obituary, died of asthma and general dibility late Wednesday afternoon at the age of 75 years.
When an Eagle reporter called at the home of his daughter, Annie, wife of Henry D. Bennethum, 268 S. 17th St. , Mr. Bennethum was asked to search for a picture. While doing this he came across a time-worn piece of paper with an account of Mr. Harbach's life. The phrasing and general makeup indicates that the deceased wrote the sketch to be published with the account of his death. It was written with a copying pencil in a firm hand and did not give any indication of approaching feebleness. Mr Harbach had been a reader of the Eagle for many years and in view of this fact the paper was handed to the reporter. It follows:
"Florin Harbach was born in Bern township Jan 22, 1839, and was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah (nee Moyer) Harbach. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years. His mother died in 1847 and his father in 1852. The young boy was hired out as a farm hand to William Althouse until 16 years of age when he came to Reading and hired himself to John K Shoemaker, boatman. At the age of 19 he he hired out to Samuel Warley, who was well-known shoemaker, for three years.
On June 14, 1861 he enlisted in Company A, third regiment, P.R.V.C., for three years and was appointed corporal. He served throughout the war in the following engagements: Leesburg, Mechanicsville, Gainesville, Charles City Crossroads, Marlville Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In the last-named battle he was wounded and after a long illness he was discharged from the Eckington Hospital, D.C., on a surgeon's certificate, Feb 28 1863.
He re-enlisted on April 15, 1864, in company F, 14th regiment, V.R.C. and was discharged on Nov 14, 1865.
Deceased was married to Sallie E. Shoemaker on Jan 22, 1866, and four children were born to the couple: John H. -Reading, J. Irvin deceased, George S,- Reading, and Annie, wife of Harry D. Bennethum, this city. Mr. Harbach was a member of the Emblematic Lodge and was one of the organizers of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was a member of the McLean Post G.A.R. and the First Reformed Church. His wife died on March 12, 1895, and the deceased entered the Soldiers Home at old Port Comfort, Va, on May 11, 1897. He was the only surviving member of his immediate family. His father, mother and six brothers and sisters having passed away. Brothers Daniel, Franklin and Wellington served throughout the war in other regiments.
An incident which he was wont to relate to his family, but did not appear in his own handwriting was that he was one of the company of soldiers present when J. Wilkes Booth, assassin of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, was shot at Bowling Green, near Fredericksburg, Va., April 25, 1865. Here Booth had taken refuge in a barn. He refused to surrender and consequently the barn was fired. When the structure was almost consumed by the flames the fugitive was shot. Mr. Harbach claimed that he was one of a few men who buried Booth under a pledge that they would never reveal the spot where the interment was made. He sacredly kept the pledge. The deceased sometime before his demise as far as he knew all the comrades who assisted in this secret burial had passed away.
After the war Mr. Harbach opened a shoemaker shop in this city, conducting the business successfully at 844 N. Eighth Street, for about 40 years. He made a specialty of fine hand-made boots and shoes in which line of work he at times employed several hands a quartet century or more ago. During his stay at the soldier's home he was appointed captain of the ward to which he was assigned. He spent the winter months in that place and in the summer he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bennethum.
Reading Eagle-Jul 30, 1914
VETERAN WRITES HIS OBITUARY
WITNESSED SHOOTING OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Florin Harbach shoemaker in Reading 40 years, who passed away in St Joseph's Hospital, kept his pledge never to reveal the burial place of Lincoln's assasin.
Florin Harbach, a Civil War veteran who for 40 years conducted a shoemaker shop in this city, and who wrote his own obituary, died of asthma and general dibility late Wednesday afternoon at the age of 75 years.
When an Eagle reporter called at the home of his daughter, Annie, wife of Henry D. Bennethum, 268 S. 17th St. , Mr. Bennethum was asked to search for a picture. While doing this he came across a time-worn piece of paper with an account of Mr. Harbach's life. The phrasing and general makeup indicates that the deceased wrote the sketch to be published with the account of his death. It was written with a copying pencil in a firm hand and did not give any indication of approaching feebleness. Mr Harbach had been a reader of the Eagle for many years and in view of this fact the paper was handed to the reporter. It follows:
"Florin Harbach was born in Bern township Jan 22, 1839, and was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah (nee Moyer) Harbach. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years. His mother died in 1847 and his father in 1852. The young boy was hired out as a farm hand to William Althouse until 16 years of age when he came to Reading and hired himself to John K Shoemaker, boatman. At the age of 19 he he hired out to Samuel Warley, who was well-known shoemaker, for three years.
On June 14, 1861 he enlisted in Company A, third regiment, P.R.V.C., for three years and was appointed corporal. He served throughout the war in the following engagements: Leesburg, Mechanicsville, Gainesville, Charles City Crossroads, Marlville Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In the last-named battle he was wounded and after a long illness he was discharged from the Eckington Hospital, D.C., on a surgeon's certificate, Feb 28 1863.
He re-enlisted on April 15, 1864, in company F, 14th regiment, V.R.C. and was discharged on Nov 14, 1865.
Deceased was married to Sallie E. Shoemaker on Jan 22, 1866, and four children were born to the couple: John H. -Reading, J. Irvin deceased, George S,- Reading, and Annie, wife of Harry D. Bennethum, this city. Mr. Harbach was a member of the Emblematic Lodge and was one of the organizers of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was a member of the McLean Post G.A.R. and the First Reformed Church. His wife died on March 12, 1895, and the deceased entered the Soldiers Home at old Port Comfort, Va, on May 11, 1897. He was the only surviving member of his immediate family. His father, mother and six brothers and sisters having passed away. Brothers Daniel, Franklin and Wellington served throughout the war in other regiments.
An incident which he was wont to relate to his family, but did not appear in his own handwriting was that he was one of the company of soldiers present when J. Wilkes Booth, assassin of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, was shot at Bowling Green, near Fredericksburg, Va., April 25, 1865. Here Booth had taken refuge in a barn. He refused to surrender and consequently the barn was fired. When the structure was almost consumed by the flames the fugitive was shot. Mr. Harbach claimed that he was one of a few men who buried Booth under a pledge that they would never reveal the spot where the interment was made. He sacredly kept the pledge. The deceased sometime before his demise as far as he knew all the comrades who assisted in this secret burial had passed away.
After the war Mr. Harbach opened a shoemaker shop in this city, conducting the business successfully at 844 N. Eighth Street, for about 40 years. He made a specialty of fine hand-made boots and shoes in which line of work he at times employed several hands a quartet century or more ago. During his stay at the soldier's home he was appointed captain of the ward to which he was assigned. He spent the winter months in that place and in the summer he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bennethum.
VETERAN WRITES HIS OBITUARY
WITNESSED SHOOTING OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH
Florin Harbach shoemaker in Reading 40 years, who passed away in St Joseph's Hospital, kept his pledge never to reveal the burial place of Lincoln's assasin.
Florin Harbach, a Civil War veteran who for 40 years conducted a shoemaker shop in this city, and who wrote his own obituary, died of asthma and general dibility late Wednesday afternoon at the age of 75 years.
When an Eagle reporter called at the home of his daughter, Annie, wife of Henry D. Bennethum, 268 S. 17th St. , Mr. Bennethum was asked to search for a picture. While doing this he came across a time-worn piece of paper with an account of Mr. Harbach's life. The phrasing and general makeup indicates that the deceased wrote the sketch to be published with the account of his death. It was written with a copying pencil in a firm hand and did not give any indication of approaching feebleness. Mr Harbach had been a reader of the Eagle for many years and in view of this fact the paper was handed to the reporter. It follows:
"Florin Harbach was born in Bern township Jan 22, 1839, and was the son of the late Jacob and Sarah (nee Moyer) Harbach. He was left an orphan at the age of eight years. His mother died in 1847 and his father in 1852. The young boy was hired out as a farm hand to William Althouse until 16 years of age when he came to Reading and hired himself to John K Shoemaker, boatman. At the age of 19 he he hired out to Samuel Warley, who was well-known shoemaker, for three years.
On June 14, 1861 he enlisted in Company A, third regiment, P.R.V.C., for three years and was appointed corporal. He served throughout the war in the following engagements: Leesburg, Mechanicsville, Gainesville, Charles City Crossroads, Marlville Hill, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In the last-named battle he was wounded and after a long illness he was discharged from the Eckington Hospital, D.C., on a surgeon's certificate, Feb 28 1863.
He re-enlisted on April 15, 1864, in company F, 14th regiment, V.R.C. and was discharged on Nov 14, 1865.
Deceased was married to Sallie E. Shoemaker on Jan 22, 1866, and four children were born to the couple: John H. -Reading, J. Irvin deceased, George S,- Reading, and Annie, wife of Harry D. Bennethum, this city. Mr. Harbach was a member of the Emblematic Lodge and was one of the organizers of the Daughters of Rebekah. He was a member of the McLean Post G.A.R. and the First Reformed Church. His wife died on March 12, 1895, and the deceased entered the Soldiers Home at old Port Comfort, Va, on May 11, 1897. He was the only surviving member of his immediate family. His father, mother and six brothers and sisters having passed away. Brothers Daniel, Franklin and Wellington served throughout the war in other regiments.
An incident which he was wont to relate to his family, but did not appear in his own handwriting was that he was one of the company of soldiers present when J. Wilkes Booth, assassin of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, was shot at Bowling Green, near Fredericksburg, Va., April 25, 1865. Here Booth had taken refuge in a barn. He refused to surrender and consequently the barn was fired. When the structure was almost consumed by the flames the fugitive was shot. Mr. Harbach claimed that he was one of a few men who buried Booth under a pledge that they would never reveal the spot where the interment was made. He sacredly kept the pledge. The deceased sometime before his demise as far as he knew all the comrades who assisted in this secret burial had passed away.
After the war Mr. Harbach opened a shoemaker shop in this city, conducting the business successfully at 844 N. Eighth Street, for about 40 years. He made a specialty of fine hand-made boots and shoes in which line of work he at times employed several hands a quartet century or more ago. During his stay at the soldier's home he was appointed captain of the ward to which he was assigned. He spent the winter months in that place and in the summer he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Bennethum.
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