Francis and Anna Ruth

Anna Ruth (Harbaugh) Bates was born in 1928 in Confluence, Somerset County, PA, the third of seven children born to William Elliot and Ethel Irene (Ream) Harbaugh.

In 1937, when Anna Ruth was a young girl, her parents moved to a new farm in Clarksville, Washington County, PA. There, her family raised horses, chickens, pigs and dairy cows.

As a child, Anna Ruth and her siblings would walk to school and back home. The boys would work in the fields and the girls had house chores. They also had to care for the chickens and pigs.

Anna Ruth, age 6 months

She attended Sunday School in girlhood at the Mt. Zion Church in Fredericktown.

Because her father never learned to drive, Anna did so by means of their tractor in the fields while her father and brothers bailed hay. She did not obtain her Pennsylvania driver’s license until much later when her oldest daughter Janet was a year old. 

Her father Elliot was employed for years as a miner for the Jones Laughlin Steel Corporation Vesta No. 5 Mine. Her mother Ethel cooked and baked bread and pies to feed her family.

Anna also worked at a dry cleaner in Fredericktown, Washington County. She was paid $17.00 per week, which she used to help her family, funds that in turn paid the household electric bills.

Above, Anna Ruth, age 18, on a date with her future husband at Ohiopyle. Below, L-R: William Alfred Harbaugh, Marshall Lester Harbaugh, Sara Elizabeth Scott, Eunice “Dolly” Elleen Mraz, Tedford “Ted” Frantz Harbaugh, Ethel Irene Harbaugh, Anna Ruth Bates, William “Elliot” Harbaugh and Wilma Marie Harbaugh.

Mt. Zion Church, Fredericktown

At the age of 21, on Sept. 3, 1949, Anna was united in holy matrimony with 23-year-old Francis Waldo Bates (Nov. 17, 1925-1996). The wedding ceremony was held at the Mt. Zion Church in Fredericktown.

Francis was born in Clarksville, the son of Albert G. and Birdie (Piper) Bates.

Francis and WWII buddy Melvin Cole

Prior to marriage, Francis served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in World War II. While in Atlanta, GA, he was photographed with a buddy, Melvin Cole. They were both just 18 years old at the time.

The Bates went on to produce five children – Janet Lynn (Bates) Forester was born in Brownsville, Fayette County, PA; and Peggy Ann (Bates) Mountcastle was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA.

Then the family moved to Canton, Stark County, OH, where Randy Francis Bates was born, followed by Donna Jean (Bates) Ogrisseg and finally the youngest, Lesa Marie (Bates) Pacelli.

They remained in Canton for the rest of their lives.

As a family, the Bates attended many of the annual Harbaugh reunions held in southwestern Pennsylvania. At the 28th gathering, held Sun., Aug. 11, 1957 at the Odd Fellows Hall (Grove) near Kingwood, PA, son Randy was recorded as the youngest child at 4½ months.

The Bates family in the farmhouse at Clarksville

Anna Ruth and Francis

Seen here is a photo of Anna and Francis together at his sister's home in New Salem, Fayette County, PA.

Her mother and father celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on Nov. 9, 1972, an event which Anna Ruth and her siblings attended.

The Bateses eventually relocated to Canton, Stark County, OH. In 1976, their address was 1314 Western Avenue Southwest in Perry Township, Canton. That summer, their daughter Peggy Ann was named second runner-up in the "Miss Firefighter" competition.

Sadly, stricken with diabetes, Francis passed away on April 30, 1996 at the age of 70. He is buried at Sunset Hills Memory Gardens in Canton.

Anna Bates outlived her spouse by more than a decade. She succumbed at the age of 79 on April 30, 2007. An obituary noted that she was survived by eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

~ Daughter Janet Lynn (Bates) Forester ~

Daughter Janet Lynn Bates ( ? - ? ) was born in (?) in Brownsville, Fayette County, PA.

She entered into marriage with Ronald Forester ( ? - ? ).

They have resided in Massillon, OH.

Daughter Peggy Ann Bates ( ? - ? ) was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA. She relocated as a girl with her family to Canton, Stark County, OH. She liked to water ski, read, golf and raise plants.

In July 1976, she was employed at Amherst Beauty Shop and was named second runner-up in the "Miss Firefighter" competition held at the Imperial House Motel in the town of Belden. The news was reported in the Massillon Evening Independent.

Peggy wedded George Mountcastle ( ? - ? ).

Their home has been in Louisville, OH.

Son Randy Francis Bates ( ? - ? ) was born in (?) in Canton, Stark County, OH.

He was joined in wedlock with Joyce ( ? - ? ).

They have made a home in Chandlersville, OH.

~ Daughter Donna Jean (Bates) Ogrisseg ~

Daughter Donna Jean Bates ( ? -living) was born in (?) in Canton, Stark County, OH.

She was joined in wedlock with John Timothy "Tim" Ogrisseg (March 7, 1957-2021), son of John and Ellen Ogrisseg. He was a Timken High School graduate and served in the U.S. Navy.

Two daughters born into this family were Lindsey Pepper and Heidi Ogrisseg.

The Ogrissegs dwelled in North Canton, OH. Tim was employed for three decades with Mitchell Communications.

She helped prepare this biography circa 2003, with updates since then by the founder of this website.

Grief blanketed the family when, after a short illness, Tim passed away on Oct. 18, 2021. Interment of his remains was in Sunset Hills Memory Gardens, following military rites at the graveside.

Daughter Lindsey Ogrisseg wedded Tony Pepper.

Daughter Heidi Ogrisseg is married to or a partner of Taryn Pack.

~ Daughter Lesa (Bates) Pacelli ~

Daughter Lesa Bates ( ? - ? ) was born in (?) in Canton, Stark County, OH.

She was united in matrimony with Nick Pacelli ( ? - ? ).

They have lived in Canton.

Copyright © 2003, 2019, 2021 Donna Jean (Bates) Ogrisseg and Mark A. Miner