Harter - David
Source: Crawfordsville Daily News-Review 10 July 1900 p 1
David Harter, one of Crawfordsville's oldest and most honored citizens, passed from this life at 6:30 o'clock last evening at the family residence on West Main Street. His demise due to a general decline he having been in feeble health for several years and bedfast for two months. The last day he was able to be up was on May 8th, his 85th birthday. Mr. Harter was born in Stark County, Ohio May 8th 1815 and was married October 20, 1840 to Susan M. Breed, the wedding taking place at Massalon, Ohio. Three years later they started overland for Indiana with a view of locating at Lafayette. Upon reaching Crawfordsville, however, they decided to stop for a time on account of muddy roads. This incident worked to the loss of Lafayette and gain of Crawfordsville for they took a fancy to the then straggling village and their journey was at end. The deceased came here as the agent for a large medical manufacturing concern and during the earlier years of his residence he was engaged in that business. In 1855 Mr. Harter entered into the dry goods partnership of Campbell & Galey and his partnership with Mr. Campbell continued until 1876. He then engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business until about four years ago when failing health compelled him to retire from active business pursuits. The passing away of Mr. Harter removed a citizen who did much for the city of his adoptinon and no words speak so eloquently as his life works. In christian and charitable works he took a prominent part and was ever ready to give of his time or his goods. He was active in the affairs of Center Church and for a quarter of a century served as Sabbath school superintendent. He was also president for a considerable period of the SUnday School Union. Mr. Harter and his good wife, together with two or three others were instrumental in organizing the YMCA in Crawfordsville and the first quarters were in the Harter block and were donated to the cause by the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harter celebrated their golden wedding in a happy manner nearly 10 years ago and had Providence seen fit to spare his life but a few months longer it would have been their unusual privilege to have reached the sixth decade. The aged wife, his loving helpmate for three score years and one daughter, Mrs. JP Walter survive him. The funeral will be conducted at the family residence at 2 p.m. Wednesday by Rev. Alexander and Nave. The burial will be at Oak Hill. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 13 July 1900
Last Monday evening at 6:30 o’clock occurred the death of David Harter at his home on West Main Street. Mr. Harter had been in declining health for several years but had been bedfast only since May 8th. That was his 85th birthday, and it had been his desire to live to see this. On that day there was a small gathering of the relatives at his home and he enjoyed the communion of the day but in the evening was taken down with what proved his last illness.
The funeral took place from the family residence Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock, the services being conducted by Rev. A. J. Alexander and Rev. H. L. Nave. The interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Harter was born May 8, 1815, in Starke County, Ohio, being the son of George Harter, and in that county he grew to manhood. On October 20, 1840, he was married to Miss Susan M. Breed, who survives him. To them were born six children, only one of whom, Mrs. James P. Walter, is now still living.
In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. Harter started for Lafayette, coming overland from Ohio, Mr. Harter having been commissioned to sell medicines in this part of the country. From Indianapolis they started for Lafayette via Crawfordsville, and on reaching this city found the roads so bad that they were unable to proceed. The roads did not improve and their enforced residence here became a voluntary one, they finding the community greatly to their liking. Mr. Harter continued in the medicine business until 1855, when he became a member of the firm of Campbell, Galey & Harter, dealers in general merchandise. Their establishment was located on North Green Street where the Ramsey block now stands. This was the business center of Crawfordsville at that time and the firm did a remarkably large business, drawing trade from many miles about. The partnership continued until the death of Mr. Campbell in 1876. Mr. Harter then entered the dry goods business for himself in the Harter block on East Main Street, but did not continue in it long. He retired from mercantile life and established a real estate and loan office, continuing this until three or four years ago. Mr. Harter was one of the pioneers of Crawfordsville modern business and was a clean and able representative of it. He was a man of sterling integrity and he had the confidence of the entire community.
Mr. Harter was a consistent member of Center Church during his entire residence here and he was one of the working members, always ready and willing to devote his time and money to the interest of the organization. He was likewise active in the cause of temperance and the Y. M. C. A., fitting up in his block at his own expense the first Y. M. C. A. quarters ever in Crawfordsville.
For a time Mr. Harter was a trustee of Wabash College, in all that was good in the life of Crawfordsville, Mr. Harter earnestly enlisted and he labored indefatigably for the upbuilding and maintenance of morality and righteousness in the community.
His death removes one whose whole life was a power for good and a bright example for all to follow. -s
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 13 July 1900
David Harter, whose death occurred here on Monday evening, his eighty fifth year, was the youngest of ten children, all of whom attained a greater age than seventy five years. His mother, two brothers, and a sister lived to be over ninety three years old. It would probably be difficult to find a __se parallel to this anywhere. - s