Minerd.com Biography of William Judson and Daisy (Glover) Harbaugh of Mill Run and Connellsville, PA

Home

William Judson Harbaugh
(1880-1955)

William Judson Harbaugh

William Judson Harbaugh was born on March 4, 1880 in Ohiopyle, Fayette County, PA, the son of Allen E. and Margaret (Williams) Harbaugh.

Young William made news at the tender age of 11 months, which is not altogether surprising since his father was a part-time journalist for the Connellsville (PA) Courier. Reported the Courier:

Quite a noble act was performed by a young dog of A.E. Harbaugh, one day last week. Willie, a small son of the gentleman named, was crossing the creek on a footbridge when he lost his balance and was about to fall into the stream. At this juncture the sagacious animal caught and held him until his mother came to the rescue.

At age 20, when the federal census of 1900 was enumerated, William was living at home with his parents. He worked that year as a "turner." As an adult, he stood 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weighed 155 lbs., with brown eyes and a ruddy complexion.

The following year, in February 1901, he and friends took part in a "sleighing party" from Mill Run to the home of Abram Skinner in nearby Stewart Township. Said the Courier:

A good time was had as the host and hostess were genial and kind. Mirth and music wiled time merrily, and at 11 o’clock supper was served… The cheerful crowd continued conversation until in the ‘wee sma’ hours,’ and so reluctant were the hosts to see the guests depart they wished them to tarry til the morning.

William and Daisy with children, l-r: Dorothy, Harold and William.

Williamwas employed at the Colborn & Dull but resigned in March 1901 to begin working at S.D. Sipe's new sawmill at Indian Creek, Fayette County. Nine years later, in 1910, the 30-year-old bachelor William was still living at home, and employed as a boilermaker for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

By 1916, he relocated to the nearest big town, Connellsville, Fayette County and continued to work for the B&O. The United States Census of 1920 shows him still a bachelor, working as a boilermaker and boarding in the household of Christ and Anne Calvin, who owned a local grocery store. He received a deep shock accompanied by grief in October 1922 when his 40-year-old brother Rev. John Austin Harbaugh succumbed to typhoid fever.

A little more than a year later, on Dec. 2, 1923, when William was age 43, he married his brother's widow, 26-year-old Daisy Estella (Glover) Harbaugh (May 21, 1897-1976. Daisy thus brought two children to the marriage – Harold Harbaugh and Dorothy Miller Leasure -- whom William raised as his own.

Picturesque Indian Valley and railroad line, early 1900s

Daily Courier, 1937

The couple went on to produce three children of their own – William Gradon Harbaugh, Genevieve Umbel Frazee and Alberta Beatty.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1930, the Harbaughs were counted as living on Gibson Avenue in Connellsville, with William's occupation listed as "Boiler Maker - RR." Daisy's mother, Arminda Glover, lived under their roof that year.

Daisy and her friend Laura Hewitt were badly injured in February 1937 when they were walking with friends and struck in a "hit and run" by a coal and lumber truck in Mill Run. Reported the Daily Courier, "As she was walking along the Connellsville- Farmington road at Mill Run in the direction of Connellsville facing traffic, a speeding truck approached and struck her, knocking her to the side of the road in a heap. E. Sturgis Colborn of Mill Run leaped into an automobile and gave chase, pursuing the fleeing truck for seven miles before he obtained the license number." Daisy was rushed to Connellsville State Hospital, where she was treated for "internal injuries, fractured pelvis and scalp wounds," and her friend for a severely injured right leg. While the Daily Courier noted that Daisy was "in an uncertain condition," she and her friend fortunately recovered.

During World War II, in 1942, William was living temporarily in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD, where he worked in the back shop of the B&O on Virginia Avenue. He registered for the military draft that year, and gave his addresses as both Mill Run and also 701 Lafayette Avenue in Culberland.

Holding baby Alberta, 1936 Harbaugh Reunion, with Daisy and Annie behind

William and Daisy and their family enjoyed going to the large, annual Harbaugh Reunions over the years. They are known to have attended the 1936 reunion, held that year on August in nearby Kingwood, Somerset County, PA. In a large group photo taken that day, William holds young daughter Alberta, with wife Daisy directly behind his head, and his sister Annie at right.

After working for the B&O for decades, William eventually retired from the company. He was a member of the B&O Veterans Association.

Like his father, William suffered from kidney disease as well as sugar diabetes. He passed away on Jan. 7, 1955, at the age of 75. He was laid to rest at the Indian Creek Baptist Church.

Daisy outlived him by 21 years. She moved to a daughter’s home in Wellington, Lorain County, OH. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Missionary Society of Wellington. She died of heart problems at age 79 on Oct. 16, 1976. Her remains were brought back to Mill Run for burial at the Indian Creek Baptist Church.

William and Dorothy Harbaugh

~ Son William Gradon Harbaugh ~

Son William Gradon Harbaugh (1924-2004) was born on Dec. 14, 1924 in Connellsville, Fayette County.

William was a boilermaker by trade. As a young man, he was employed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Then after the nation was plunged into World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 23, 1943. He was placed within the 88th Infantry Division "Blue Devils," seeing field artillery action in North Africa and Italy. He was pictured in a wartime article in the Connellsville Daily Courier under the headline "In North Africa."

On Sept. 14, 1955, when he was age 31 and she 19, William married Dorothy Lorraine Husak (July 27, 1936-2012), a native of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA.

The couple produced three sons -- Rev. William Bradford "Brad" Harbaugh, Joel Scott Harbaugh and Doyle Edwin Harbaugh.

World War II article

After the war, William worked for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, and is said to have been a welder who helped make repairs to the ill-fated ore hauling ship, the Edmund Fitzgerald.

In 1960, the Harbaughs moved to Wellington, Lorain County, OH, following a pattern of other family members who had found a good home there.

William then earned a living as a welder with General Dynamics in Lima, formerly the Lima Tank Plant, and belonged to the United Auto Workers in Lima. Circa 1984, they moved again, to Lima, Allen County, OH.

William died at home at the age of 79 on April 4, 2004. His remains were returned to his native Mill Run for a funeral at the Indian Creek Baptist Church, followed by burial in the church cemetery.

Dorothy outlived him by eight years, and moved to Wellington. Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, her "primary focus in lie was that of living a life pleasing to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dorothy was a member of Camden Baptist Church where she was active with the Ladies Missionary Society, Naomi Circle and an Awana Club teacher. She was also active with the Joy Clubs and Child Evangelism Fellowship. Dorothy was a prayer warrior and led adult ladies Bible studies. In her spare time she enjoyed baking, canning, cooking, gardening, painting with water colors and sewing. She devoted her life to being a God-honoring wife and mother..."

She died on March 14, 2012 at Keystone Pointe in LaGrange, OH. Her remains joined her husband's in eternal repose in the Indian Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Mill Run.

Brad and Robin Harbaugh

Son Rev. William Bradford "Brad" Harbaugh (1956-living) was born in 1956 in Connellsville, Fayette County. On May 21, 1978, he married Robin Carol Fischer (1956-living), a native of Camillus, NY. They have four children -- Andrew Bradford Harbaugh, Megann Gabrielle Harbaugh, Dr. Joshua William Harbaugh and Rebecca "Becca" Olivo. He holds a bachelor's degree from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, PA, a master's degree from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary and a doctorate in counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (2017). He has served for decades in full time ministry as a youth pastor in Fostoria, OH; a worship pastor in Grand Rapids, MI; and a senior pastor in Evart, MI. He has helped lead six Carpenters for Christ mission teams to build churches in Tennessee and other eastern U.S. states and similarly five teams to Kenya for pastor conferences, medical missions and prison ministry. For 13 years, he was a pastor of at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC, followed by three years as North Carolina's State Minister with Capitol Commission Inc. in Raleigh, NC.

Today he serves as Capitol's president and a member of its board of directors. Capitol is a team of non-denominational, non-partisan, non-political ministers in states coast to coast. These ministers serve in the name of Jesus, bringing a pastoral presence and providing prayer and biblical guidance through clearly written expositional Bible studies and personal soul care. They bring gospel hope and spiritual strength to all governing leaders and staff of both major parties, all human beings serving under duress. The result often is peacemaking. This ministry meets personally with governors, lieutenant governors, treasurers, secretaries of state, attorney generals and state and congressional legislators. Brad seeks to incite the church to pray for all their leaders. He points people consistently to their prayer tool, the website Pray1Tim2.org. He points out "praying for all your leaders is the priority command given by God to fight the good fight." He is deeply concerned about the apathy of all Americans regarding foundational rights, rights given to every human being by God. One of them, religious freedom, was a topical focus on Aug. 31, 2020 at the Commission's National Gathering in Topeka, KS. Although the mission of the Commission focuses on the gospel and discipleship, the ministry believes that it's important for the church to understand the battle for religious freedom going on in America and around the world. As he says, "The gospel without an attached agenda is extremely powerful." Brad and his ministry were the focus of our Photo of the Month for October 2020.

Above: the Brad and Robin Harbaugh family circa 2018. Below: Brad at the North Carolina state capitol in Raleigh.

Grandson Andrew Bradford Harbaugh (1979-living) was born in 1979 in Findlay, OH. On Aug. 4, 2001, in nuptials held at Calvary Baptist Church in Evart, MI, he was joined in wedlock with Melissa Joy Fisher ( ? -living), daughter of Donald and Pamela Fisher of Evart. At the time, he was a graduate of Mid-Michigan Community College and attended Grand Valley State University while also employed as an air driver for United Parcel Service in Big Rapids. Melissa also was a Mid-Michigan alumna and student at Grand Valley.

Granddaughter Megann Gabrielle Harbaugh (1983-living) was born in 1983 in Findlay, OH. She studied at Cedarville University where she competed in track and field and met her future husband, Matthew Stephens (1981-living). She moved to North Carolina where she graduated from Campbell University with her degree in elementary education. She and Matthew were married in 2004. Megann currently stays home with her three children -- Kara Stephens (2008), Caden Stephens (2011) and Gracynn Stephens (2014). She enjoys many hobbies such as woodworking, painting, cooking and designing- similar to her grandmother Dorothy Harbaugh. Matthew worked in various leadership positions for Qliktech over a 14 year span. He is currently leading a sales for a rapidly growing tech firm, Celonis. Megann and Matt have a passion for the Lord and enjoy being involved in their church and community. They dwell in Apex, NC.

Grandson Dr. Joshua William Harbaugh (1987-living) was born in 1987 in Grand Rapids, MI. He received a doctorate in nephrology and today is an internal medicine/kidney specialist in Winston Salem, NC, affiliated with North Carolina Baptist Hospital. On April 18, 2020, he was united in marriage with Kimberly Copus, daughter of Scott and Mary Lynn Copus. Joshua's father officiated the wedding ceremony, attended only by immediate family, and the rest watching via Zoom technology due to the nationwide Coronavirus-19 quarantine. Kimberly is a nurse in the Veterans Administration system.

Granddaughter Rebecca "Becca" Harbaugh ( ? -living) as a young woman demonstrated artistic gifts of her great great grandfather Allen when she took the lead role in "Beauty and the Beast" and "Oklahoma." But her heart for "human life" took her to nursing as a career. Over time, she has been employed as a registed nurse with Wake Forest Hospital, The Pregnancy Network and Nova Pregnancy Help Centers. On June 4, 2016, in a wedding held in The Butler Farm in Pleasant Garden, NC, she was married to Rudy Olivo ( ? -living). Early in 2020, Rudy was serving as a White House liaison for the U.S. Department of Labor and then accepted a new position as Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives for Vice President Mike Pence. The couple enjoy their daughter Everly Olivo.

Son Doyle Edwin Harbaugh (1958- ? ) was born in 1958 in Connellsville. In early adulthood he worked as a tool and die maker and clockmaker. After an injury which left him paralyzed from the waist down, he has remained active. He has resided in Wellington and Wakeman, OH. Doyle made news several times in the 1990s for taking part in sanctioned wheelchair hunting for deer in the Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County, OH (1994) and on the Miller Farm in Seneca County, OH (1999).

Son Joel Scott Harbaugh (1966- ? ) was born in 1966 in Wellington, OH. He has been employed over the yeas as a paramedic. Circa 2011, he is believed to have been a member of the Dayton Firefighter-Paramedic team in Ohio.

~ Daughter Genevieve Frances (Harbaugh) Umbel Frazee ~

Daughter Genevieve Frances Harbaugh (1927-2012) was born on May 13, 1927 in Connellsville, Fayette County.

She was married twice. On Aug. 5, 1951, she was joined in matrimony with her first spouse, Wendell Wayne Umbel (Feb. 17, 1926-1983), a native of Friendsville, Garrett County, MD.

The children born in this family were Wayne Wendell Umbel, Brenda Sue Umbel and Roy Allen Umbel. Sadness blanketed the family when daughter Brenda Sue died at birth on March 26, 1964.

The Umbels were longtime dairy farmers in or near Friendsville. Wendell also earned a living as a sales representative for a seed company.

Sadly, burdened with heart trouble, Wendell passed away the day after Christmas 1983. He rests for all time in Asher Glade Cemetery.

Genevieve lived as a widow for more than five years. On June 7, 1989, she was united in wedlock with her second husband, Wayne Russell Frazee (Aug. 31, 1923- ? ), a native of Markleysburg, Fayette County. Their wedding was held in Friendsville, MD at the Asher Glade Church of the Brethren. Wayne had been married previously and brought three sons to the union, Clinton Frazee, David Frazee and Gary Frazee.

The Frazees were farmers in Friendsville. They were members of the Asher Glade Church, where she was active in the Ladies Aid Society.

Sadly, she endured the failing health and death of her son Wayne (in 2004).

Genevieve passed away at the age of 84 on Jan. 17, 2012, while a patient at the Western Maryland H.S. Regional Medical Center in Cumberland. Led by Rev. Ed Moore and Rev. Nevin Umbel, funeral services were held in the family church, with interment following in Asher Glade Cemetery.

Son Wayne Wendell Umbel (1951-2004) was born on Oct. 15, 1951 in Connellsville. He grew up in Friendsville. He appears to have been twice-wed. On June 6, 1977, he wedded his first wife, Betty Ann Rupe (1955- ? ), a native of Nanty-Glo, PA. They were the parents of Scott Allen Umbel and Jennifer Ann Umbel. On April 13, 1990, he married Diana (Guyer) Smith ( ? - ? ). She brought two sons to the marriage, Lyn A. Smith and Adam Smith. They resided in Harrisonburg, VA. Wayne was employed selling seeds for Garst, Chem-Gro and Doeblers Seed Company. In his free time, he belonged to the Singers Glen Fire Company and was a member of the Fairview Church of the Brethren. With his health declining over the last decade of his life, Wayne was admitted to Rockingham Memorial Hospital. He succumbed there at the age of 52 on Sept. 17, 2004. A memorial service was held in the Ashers Glade Church of the Brethren, with interment in Harrisonburg.

Grandson Scott Allen Umbel (1978- ? ) was born in 1978 in Johnstown, Cambria County, PA. He lived in Singers Glen, VA in 2004.

Granddaughter Jennifer Ann Umbel (1986- ? ) was born in 1986. She made her home in 2004 in Hot Springs, AR.

Step-grandson Adam Smith resided in Staunton, VA.

Step-grandson Lyn A. Smith was deceased by 2004.

Son Roy Allen Umbel (1955- ? ) was born in 1955 in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD. He wedded Sonya ( ? - ? ). They live in Friendsville where he has worked as a dairy farmer and seed representative.

~ Daughter Alberta Arminda (Harbaugh) Beatty ~

Alberta and Don Beatty

Daughter Alberta Arminda Harbaugh (1935-living) was born in 1935 in Mill Run.

As a young woman, in 1954, she relocated to Wellington, Lorain County, OH. There, she earned a living as a telephone operator.

On Oct. 1, 1960, at the age of 25, she was joined in wedlock with World War II Army veteran Donald Edgar Beatty (May 21, 1926-2011), a native of Indiana, Indiana County, PA and the son of Edgar Miller and Gladys Faye (Fisher) Beatty. Their nuptials were held in the First Baptist Church of Wellington, led by Rev. Louis Tulga.

Their marriage endured for more than 50 years.

They were the parents of two -- Kevin Lee Beatty and Melissa Dawn Thomas.

For more than three decades, Donald was employed by the Elyria Chronicle Telegraph as a printer and advertising production foreman. He loved to read.

At the age of 84, a patient in Allen Mercy Hospital in Oberlin, Donald passed away on March 1, 2011. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church of Wellington, preached by Pastor Tom Alexander, with interment in Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

Son Kevin Lee Beatty (1965- ? ) was born in 1965 in Lorain County, OH. He married Denise Diane Frank (1965- ? ) of Wellington. The couple produced two sons, Benjamin Edward Beatty and Zachary Allen Beatty. Kevin resides in Texas.

Grandson Benjamin Edward Beatty (1985- ? ) was born in 1985 in South Amherst, OH.

Grandson Zachary Allen Beatty

Daughter Melissa Dawn Beatty (1967- ? ) was born in 1967 in Lorain County, OH or in Cleveland. Married and divorced, she retains the married name "Thomas." In 2011, her home was in Columbus, Franklin County, OH.