Garrett "Hobart" Harbaugh was born on Aug. 12, 1896 in Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA, the son of Robert B. and Elizabeth (Long) Harbaugh Sr. 

He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighed 175 lbs.

The day after Christmas, on Dec. 26, 1923, when he was age 27, Hobart was united in the bonds of holy matrimony with 18-year-old Irene Burnsworth (1905-1981), daughter of Russell Burnsworth. There was a nine-year difference in their ages.

Hobart at right. Courtesy Raymond Norman and Carolyn Harbaugh

First wife Irene Burnworth

The couple were the parents of three children -- Edward "Lee" Harbaugh, Alvin Hobart Harbaugh and Audrey Forsyth.

Circa 1938, the Harbaughs resided in Grove City, Mercer County, PA and in 1940 in Irwin Township, Venango County, PA. His job in 1940 was as a machine shop laborer. 

At some point, Hobart and Irene separated. During World War II, when he registered for the military draft, he stated that his residence was Irwin Township, while Irene's was R.D. 3, Grove City, Mercer County. At the time, Hobart was age 45, and he was employed by Cooper Bessemer Inc. of Grove City. He did not have a telephone in his home. As of 1947, their address was in Barkeyville, PA.

They later divorced. 

Irene is said to have moved to Baltimore, MD and married a second time to Harry S. Silbaugh ( ? -1984). The couple relocated in about 1974 from Adamstown, MD to Riverview, FL, where they belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Brandon. 

At the age of 77, Irene died on Nov. 16, 1981, with her obituary published in the Tampa Tribune. Her widower maintained his home as of 1982 in Riverview, FL. At his death at age 77 on Oct. 29, 1984, said the Tribune, he was survived by brothers George of Farmington, PA and Robert of Gibbons Glade, PA and sisters Sarah Harbaugh of Sacramento, CA; Ruth Thorpe of Uniontown, PA; and Margaret Smell of Farmington. 

Hobart's longtime workplace, the Cooper-Bessemer plant in Grove City

The 1949 book Harbaugh History book states that of Hobart and Irene's children, "Both boys were in [World] War II, Lee in the Air Forces, and Alvin in the Merchant Marine... All are members of the Church of God." 

Obituary, 1970

In 1949, when the Harbaugh History book was published, Hobart resided at R.F.D. 3, Grove City, where he worked as a machinist. In due time, he moved to Franklin, Venango County.

By 1950, census records show that Hobart made his home in Irwin, Venango County. That year, his married son Edward "Lee" and family lived in the household. Hobart's occupation was as a "diesel engine hand" for a diesel engine plant, Cooper-Bessemer. He retired in 1960, after a 30-year-career there as a turret lathe operator.

On April 8, 1950, Hobart married a second time to Hazel Lee (Wood) Kreiter ( ? - ? ). She had been married before and brought these stepchildren into the second family -- John Kreiter, Walter Kreiter, Harold Kreiter, Harriet Sloan, James Kreiter and Charles Kreiter. Sadly, stepsons James and Charles were deceased by 1970. 

Hobart and Hazel made their final home together at 203 State Street in Grove City.

He passed away in Grove City Hospital at the age of 74 on Dec. 18, 1970, said the Franklin News-Herald, "following a five-year illness." He was laid to rest in Grove City's Crestview Memorial Park following a funeral service led by Rev. Carl LaTurco of the First Baptist Church. The headcount of his survivors was 23 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

Relaxing with friends. Courtesy Raymond Norman and Carolyn Harbaugh

~ Son Edward "Lee" Harbaugh ~

Son Edward "Lee" Harbaugh Sr. (1924-1982) was born on Oct. 30, 1924 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County.

He relocated to Harrisville, PA with his parents and was a graduate of Harrisville High School. In young manhood, he lived in Grove City, PA. 

Lee was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, in June 1943, and assigned to the Army Air Corps. He was deployed to the Pacific Theatre.

After the war, he returned to Grove City. In about 1946, he entered into marriage with FeDora Eileen Mayes ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was published in the Franklin (PA) News-Herald.

Lee was the father of Edward Lee Harbaugh Jr. and Garrett Mayes Harbaugh.

Lee during World War II. Courtesy Raymond Norman and Carolyn Harbaugh

As of 1947, at the birth of their eldest son, the Harbaughs dwelled in Barkeyville, PA. When the federal census enumeration was made in 1950, Lee and FeDora and sons lived under the roof of Lee's divorced father in Irwin, Venango County, PA. His employment that year was as a "caretaker" for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

Their marriage was troubled. In May 1952, Lee sued for divorce in Venango County. His petition was granted by Judge Lee A. McCracken in August 1952. He remained in Franklin as a single man. 

On June 26, 1953, at the age of 28, he wed a second time to Anna Grace (Aurand) Divelbliss (1923-2018) of Grove City, the daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Peters) Aurand. Anna was divorced from her first spouse, coal truck driver Curtis William Divelbliss (1919-1998), and brought three sons to the marriage with Lee -- Leonard Frank Divelbliss, Donald Lee Divelbliss and Raymond N. Divelbliss. Her daughter Virginia Marie Divelbliss had died at age one day in 1946.

Bird's-eye view of Franklin, PA

The three Divelbliss boys appear to have been adopted by Lee and took on the "Harbaugh" surname. The family's address in 1965-1971 was 1218 Otter Street in Franklin and in 1982 at 1108 Chestnut Street.

Obituary, 1982 Courtesy Raymond N. Harbaugh

Lee was pictured in a Sept. 7, 1954 edition of the News-Herald in his role as a foreman in the Venango County highway maintenance department of the Pennsylvania Department of Highways, placing "king-size" route signs along local roadways. He was assigned to the department's District 1-0 office.

Lee retired from PennDOT and then earned a living with Venango County Head Start. From 1969 to 1982, he and Anna Grace operated a family day care center in their residence. Said a newspaper, "he was known as 'Grandpa Harbaugh' to dozens of children in the community. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and bowling. He was also a familiar figure at the Little League baseball field, following the games of his own grandchildren and youngsters he knew through the day care program."

The family was plunged into anxiety when he was was diagnosed with cancer. After several months of suffering, he died at the age of 57 on March 6, 1982. Burial of the remains was in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Venango County. Rev. Jaime Potter Miller, of the Galloway United Methodist Church, presided at the funeral service.

Anna Grace outlived her spouse by more than 35 years. She held a membership in the Christ United Methodist Church in Franklin.

Death came to Franklin to carry her away, at the age of about 94, on Feb. 17, 2018. Funeral services were led by her pastor, Rev. Sam Wagner.  Her remains were laid to rest next to her daughter's in the Divelbliss plot in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Warfordsburg, Fulton County, PA.

Home of the Leonard Frank Harbaugh family

Leonard F. Harbaugh

Son Leonard Frank Divelbliss Harbaugh (1942-2006) was born on May 9, 1942 in Warfordsburg, Fulton County, PA. He was about 11 years of age when he took the "Harbaugh" name after his mother's remarriage to Edward "Lee" Harbaugh. He attended Franklin schools in boyhood and belonged to the Nicklin Methodist Church. He joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Circa 1960, he trained at Fort Knox, KY as a sharpshooter and then trained in mechanical skills. Upon completion of his military service, he returned home and became employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. On July 27, 1963, he was united in matrimony with Carol Jackalee Mowrey (Oct. 31, 1942-2001), daughter of Harry Wesley and Beulah Margaret (Walls) Mowrey of Berkeley Springs, WV. The nuptials were led by Rev. Jerry Almes in the Nicklin Methodist Church. Carol was a 1960 alumna of Berkeley Springs High School and, at the time of marriage, worked for Martinsburg Interwoven Mill in Martinsburg, WV. The wedding was announced in the Franklin News-Herald. At least five children were in this family -- Tammy Lynn Barth, Wesley "Todd" Mowery, twins Leonard Harbaugh and Lonnie Jay Harbaugh, and Keith Wayne Harbaugh.

Leonard, Operation Desert Storm Courtesy Raymond N. Harbaugh

As of 1971, the Harbaughs lived in Berkeley Springs at the address of 306 Independence Street and in 1982-1998 in Bunker Hill, WV. Carol at one time was employed by Rayloc, Inc. in Hancock, MD on a dis-assembly line. She was a member of the Women of the Moose and, in her free time, liked to garden, watch Western movies, take bus trips and work in her garden. The pair separated or divorced. During Operation Desert Storm, Leonard is believed to have served with the 157th Military Police Company in Saudi Arabia. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 64, in Bunker Hill, on Oct. 19, 2006. Carol spent many years as a companion of Donald Lee Miller of Cross Junction, VA. Carol died in the Berkeley Springs Center at age 78 on Oct. 3, 2021. Her remains sleep for the ages in Alpine United Methodist Church Cemetery in Berkeley Springs.

• Granddaughter Tammy Harbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She was united in wedlock with (?) Barth ( ? - ? ). Her home in 2021 was in Suffolk, VA.

• Grandson Wesley "Todd" Mowery ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He lived in Berkeley Springs circa 2021.

• Grandson Leonard Frank Harbaugh Jr. (1968- ? ) was born in 1968, a twin with his brother Lonnie. In 2021, he dwelled in Martinsburg, WV.

• Grandson Lonnie Jay Harbaugh (1968- ? ) was born in 1968, a twin with his brother Leonard. He has dwelled in Berkeley Springs, WV.

• Grandson Keith Wayne Harbaugh (1971- ? ) was born in 1971. News of his birth was printed in the Franklin (PA) News-Herald. In 2021, he resided in Berkeley Springs.

Son Donald E. Divelbliss Harbaugh Sr. (1944- ? ) was born on or about July 18, 1944. He was a 1961 honors graduate of Franklin High School. Donald also joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and also trained at Fort Knox. He then went on to learn military cryptography and was sent to Korea with the 7th Infantry Division. He entered into marriage with Shirley J. Robinson (Sept. 21, 1945-2019). The family dwelled in Hancock, MD in 1969 -- in Franklin, PA in 1982 -- in York, PA in 1998 -- and in Oil City, PA in 2018-2019. Sadly, after a lengthy illness, Shirley died at Sugar Creek Station at the age of 73 on May 19, 2019.

Son Raymond Norman Divelbliss Harbaugh (1945- ? ) was born in about 1945. He was about eight years old when Edward "Lee" Harbaugh became his stepfather, and the boy took on the "Harbaugh" name. He was a 1962 graduate of Franklin High School. Following in the footsteps of his elder brothers, Raymond entered the U.S. Army in December 1962. After basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, he attended an equipment maintenance school at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was deployed to Europe and in 1964 was with the 521st Engineer Group and its 68th Engineer Company near Mannheim Germany. Raymond made news in 1964 in his hometown newspaper, the Franklin News-Herald, for playing on an Army football team in Schwetzingen, Germany which had won its first five games. After completing his term of military duty, he returned home and secured a job with the Pennsylvania Department of Highways. On July 22, 1966, in nuptials held in the Nicklin Methodist Church, he was joined in wedlock with Karen Sue King ( ? - ? ), daughter of DeWayne H. King of Polk, PA. Rev. R.L. Karns officiated. An announcement of their marriage was printed in the News-Herald,which reported that she was attired in "a street-length dress of white lace and nylon organza. Her short veil was held by a Dior bow, and her corsage was red rosebuds." At the time, Karen Sue worked for Venango Industrial Company, Inc., having been a 1964 graduate of Victory Joint High School. The pair became the parents of Sonya Harbaugh and DeWayne Harbaugh. Their home in 1982 was in Diamond, PA. Raymond married a second time to Carolyn ( ? - ? ). Their home in 1998 was in Titusville, PA and in 2018 in Starr, SC. Raymond and Carolyn graciously have provided images for this biography.

• Granddaughter Sonya Harbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). She is believed to have married (?) Mullen.

• Grandson DeWayne Harbaugh ( ? - ? ) was born on (?).

Son Edward Lee Harbaugh Jr. (1947- ? ) was born in Dec. 1947. He was a 1965 graduate of Franklin High School. In July 1965, during the Vietnam War, he joined the U.S. Navy. At the age of 21, on Dec. 14, 1968, Edward was united in marriage with Linda Maxine Leaman (June 12, 1949-2021), daughter of Wilson Mark and Olive May (Simmonds) Leamon. The nuptials were held in her hometown of St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, in the St. Thomas Church, by the hand of Rev. Cooper. The newlyweds were pictured in the Franklin News Herald in an article saying the bride "wore a floor-length gown of silk and lace styled with ruffled three-quarter length sleeves and chapel train. Her tiered veil of silk illusion was secured with a pearl crown. She carried a bouqet of red carnations enhanced with white satin streamers, accented with miniature red carnations." Their marital union endured for a remarkable 52 years. At the time of their marriage, he had re-enlisted in the Navy for a six-year term. Two daughters born to the couple were Renee Flannery and Desiree Enck. Edward and Linda's dwelling in 1982-2018 was in Frederick, MD. Said an obituary, "Linda devoted her life to teaching preschool-aged children, most recently at Brook Hill Weekday Preschool where she retired. She had a kind, loving heart, and touched the lives of many children and their families." Grief cascaded over the family when Linda died in Frederick on Sept. 26, 2021. Her funeral service was held at Brook Hill United Methodist Church in Frederick. 

• Granddaughter Renee Harbaugh wed Jerry Flannery. They are the parents of Jensen Flannery, Allison Flannery, Madison Flannery and Benjamin Flannery.

• Granddaughter Desiree Harbaugh married Daniel Enck. Together they produced two children -- Graelyn Enck and Korley Enck.

Son Garrett Mayes Harbaugh (1949- ? ) was born in Sept. 1949 in Franklin Hospital. In 1967, he married Connie Ann Bacher ( ? - ? ). One known child of the pair was Laura A. Wielandt. Garrett in the early 1980s lived in Franklin. Later, he relocated to Reno, NV. In about March 1997, at the age of 47, he married Terri Lynn Potter ( ? - ? ) who was 15 years younger. Their marriage license was announced in the Reno Gazette-Journal. The Harbaughs made their home in 2018 in Port St. Lucie, FL.

• Granddaughter Laura A. Wielandt joined the U.S. Air Force. Circa 1997, she completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. 

~ Son Alvin Hobart "Al" Harbaugh ~

Son Alvin Hobart "Al" Harbaugh (1928- ? ) was born in about 1928.

In young manhood, Alvin dwelled in Barkeyville, PA. He is known to have joined the Merchant Marine and saw service during World War II. After the war, he returned to Barkeyville where he played baseball with the local Wesley team. The Franklin (PA) News-Herald reported in June 1947 that he was a ctacher and had broken his arm when hit by a pitch. 

Alvin rejoined the Navy in late 1947 or early 1948 and was on duty in New Jersey before sailing for Alaska where he served for 22 months and achieved the rank of lieutenant. He also was drafted in 1950 during the Korean War.

Evidence suggests that he moved to Uniontown after the war, where he owned and operated Harbaugh's Amoco Service at the corner of East Main and Coolspring Streets.

Alvin is believed to have wed Betty Smell ( ? - ? ), daughter of Clyde H. and Mary Louise (Poundstone) Smell of McClellandtown Road, Uniontown. Their union endured for an extraordinary 62 years until cleaved apart by death.

Together, they produced a brood of four -- Karen Haley, Ricky Harbaugh, Debra Fuller and David Harbaugh. 

Their home in 1958-2012 was in Rockville, MD. The family is known to have traveled to the annual Harbaugh Reunion in July 1972, and again in July 1975, both held at the Mountain Fellowship Center near Uniontown. At 180 miles, they received the award for "traveled farthest" in both of those years.

Sadly, Alvin died four days before Christmas 2012. Burial of the remains was in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family requested in a Washington Post obituary that any memorial contributions be made to Montgomery Hospice Casey House of Rockville. 

Daughter Karen Harbaugh was joined in matrimony with Patrick Haley.

Son Ricky Harbaugh wed Martha.

Daughter Debra Harbaugh was joined in wedlock with Leroy Fuller. 

Son David Harbaugh ( ? - ? ).

~ Daughter Audrey (Harbaugh) Forsyth ~

Daughter Audrey Jean Harbaugh (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935.

She resided in Franklin as childhood and then relocated to Baltimore, likely with her mother after her parents' divorce. 

Audrey was joined in wedlock with William R. Forsyth ( ? -1991). 

Four daughters born in this union were Diana J. Marshall, Cheryl A. Diesel Norton, Sandra L. Binetti Geary and Bonita L. Forsyth. 

In 1970-1982, the Forsyths lived in Baltimore, MD and in 1984 in Dundalk, MD.

Sadness blanketed the family when William passed away on Nov. 8, 1991.

Audrey survived him by nearly 16 years. died on June 22, 2007. An obituary in the Baltimore Sun said that she was survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Interment of the remains was in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery.

Daughter Diana J. Forsyth ( ? -2017) was born on (?). She wed William "Will" Marshall ( ? - ? ). Their duo of daughters included Dawn Stevens and Lisa Marshall. They dwelled in Dundalk, MD. Sadly, Diane passed away on March 10, 2017. An obituary appeared in the Dundalk Eagle. 

• Granddaughter Dawn Marshall wed Jay Stevens. They are the parents of Mylana Stevens and Marlow Stevens.

• Granddaughter Lisa Marshall ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2017.

Daughter Cheryl A. Forsyth was united in matrimony with (?) Diesel and Larry Norton.

Daughter Sandra L. "Sandi" Forsyth entered into marriage with (?) Binetti and James Geary. She is believed to reside today in York, PA.

Daughter Bonita L. Forsyth ( ? -2012) was born on (?). She appears not to have married. She passed away in the Baltimore area on July 8, 2012. Her Baltimore Sun obituary reported that burial was in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, and the family requested that any memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.    

Copyright © 2003-2004, 2008, 2011, 2020, 2022-2023 Mark A. Miner