JOHN A. HARMAN. The Harman family of Donegal township, Westmoreland county, was founded in America by Andrew Harman. greatgrandfather of John A. Harman. who immigrated from Germany in 1767. and settled in that part of Donegal township known as Four Mile Run. which at that early date was practically an unbroken wilderness. Being the first white settler in that region he and his family were completely isolated from their own race during their first year's residence there, and saw only the savage inhabitants of the forest, with whom they lived in comparative peace and tranquilly for several years. Possessing the requisite amount of energy and perseverance, this sturdy German pioneer succeeded in clearing off a good farm, which he cultivated with prosperous results for the remainder of his active career. As a member of the Lutheran church he was actively identified with the establishment and early development of that faith in Westmoreland countv. and in this particular sphere of usefulness his descendants followed in his footsteps, many of them having participated actively in organizing religious and educational institutions.

John A. Harman was born at the Shaffer homestead in Donegal township, January 5, 1832. His education was acquired in the public schools, and , the early years of his life were spent at home assisting his father in carrying on the farm.

As second sergeant of Company I, One Hundred and SixtyEighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, he went to the front October 16. 1862. for service in the Civil war, and was honorably discharged July 25. 1863. On March 31, 1865, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out as a second corporal of his company at Newberne, North Carolina, June 25, 1865.

Upon his return from the army he resumed farming at County Line and Jacob's Creek in Mount Pleasant township, from whence he removed in April, 1867, to a farm in the vicinity of Stahlstown, Donegal township, and has resided there ever since.

For many years he has devoted much of his time to veterinary surgery, in which he has attained much success, and his professional reputation extends far beyond the limits of his own locality. Mr. Harman has acquired prosperity as both farmer and veterinary surgeon, and his earnest endeavors, professionally and otherwise, to make himself useful are sincerely appreciated throughout the broad area of his particular field of operation.

As a citizen of unquestionable integrity he has acquired a far-reaching influence in all matters relative to the political, moral and religious welfare of the comunity, and his activities in its behalf proved exceedingly beneficial. He liasheld the offices of justice of the peace, assessor, tax collector, school director and judge of elections, and has performed the duties of each of these important positions with marked ability.

Politically he acts with the Democratic party. His religious services have been rendered chiefly in behalf of the church of his ancestors. He has occupied various positions of prominence and trust, including those of deacon, elder and trustee, and his labors as a member of the building committee which superintended the erection of the present Luthran church edifice in his locality were especially valuable. He in one of the most prominent members of Post 596, Grand Army of the Republic, of Stahlstown, having served as its commander and vice-commander.

Mr. Harman married, August 31, 1854, Phoebe Louisa Roadman, a native of Mount Pleasant township, daughter of John and Peggy (McLain) Roadman, who were prosperous farming people of that township. Of this union were born twelve children, namely: William Andrew, born July 22, 1855: Mary Elizabeth, born January 27, 1857; James, a tvin of Mary Elizabeth, died aged four months; Samuel M., born September 17, 1858; Sarah Malinda. born July 24, 1860; Julia A., born November 8, 1862; Catherine P., deceased, born December 22, 1864; Calvin, born February 12, 1867; Nettie, born June 22, 1869; Auradila, born October 21, 1871 ; Flora E., born November i, 1874; an infant who only lived a few hours. Of these seven were born in Mount Pleasant township, and the others were born near Stahlstown.

- William Andrew, who was educated for a teacher, now resides in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and is a travelling salesman. In 1877 he changed his religious faith, going from the Lutheran church to that of the United Brethren, and in 1883 became a charter member of the first United Brethren congregation established in Westmoreland county. He participated actively in propagating that denomination in this part of the state, and in 1884 assisted in erecting its first house of worship near Jones Mills, this county. On October 16, 1886. he was ordained to the ministry. His first wife, whom he married September 12, 1875, was Emma C. Horner. She died and he married (second), February 16, 1892. Ella B. Kuhns.

- Mary Elizabeth married, October 13, 1877. Charles C. Hunter, a cabinet-maker by trade, and now a merchant in Pittsburg, this state.
- Samuel M., who is now following the carpenter's trade in connection with farming at Derry Station, Pennsylvania, married, October 2. 1884. Rebecca Hunter.
- Sarah Malinda married George Hellin. a carpenter of Scottdale, this state, December 29, 1880.
- Julia A., wife of William A. Hunter, of Mount Pleasant. They were married August 15, 1880.
- Calvin married Allic Bell, August 13, 1888, and is now following the occupation of a carpenter at Summit Mines, this state.
- Nettie is now residing at Jones Mills, and is the wife of David Burnhart, whom she married December 25. 1892.
- Auradila married, November 16, 1899, Walter A. Robb, a farmer of Florence, Pennsylvania.
- Flora E. married, June 17, 1897, H. Freeman Piper, who is engaged in farming at Stahlstown.

History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Volume 2 By John Newton Boucher, John Woolf Jordan