Minerd.com Biography of William Sturgis and Viola Jane (Woomer Buck) Harbaugh of Winfield and Montandon, PA

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William Sturgis Harbaugh
(1898-1973)

William Sturgis Harbaugh

William Sturgis Harbaugh was born on Nov. 13, 1898 at Maple Summit, Fayette County, PA, the son of Robert B. and Elizabeth (Long) Harbaugh Sr.

William was a bachelor for many years, and resided with his mother. He remained single until at least as late as 1949, when the Harbaugh History book was published.

In August 1936, at the age of 38, he and his mother and siblings joined their cousins at the Harbaugh Reunion at Kingwood, Somerset County. He is seen in a group photograph taken that day.

At some point, William entered into marriage with widow Viola Jane (Woomer) Buck (May 7, 1900-1967), a native of Bald Eagle, PA. The identity of her parents was not known.

Viola had been married once before, to Alfred T. Buck ( ? -1943) and brought seven children into her union with our William. They included Harold Buck, Howard Buck, Nelson Buck, Lee Buck, Katherine Blue, Gladys Metzger and Violet Buck.

Imel Cemetery

The Harbaughs themselves did not reproduce.

The pair relocated to Winfield, Union County, PA, where he was a member of the Sound of the Gospel Church. Later, they dwelled in Milton/Montandon, Northumberland County.

Sadly, at the age of 67, Viola passed away, on May 22, 1967 from the effects of a heart attack produced by diabetes and hardening of the arteries. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in Highland Cemetery in New Columbia, PA. An obituary appeared in the Sunbury (PA) Daily Item. Among those from Fayette County who traveled to attend the funeral were William's brother and wife, Oakey and Gertrude (Shroyer) Harbaugh and William's sister and husband Ollie and Lloyd Hall and their daughters Ila and Ina.

In 1968, the newly widowed William traveled back home to attend the Harbaugh Reunion, and received the award for furthest-traveled -- a distance of 260 miles.

Obituary, 1973

Circa 1970, he remained in Montandon.

Later in life, he moved back to his home region, settling on Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown.

William died on July 25, 1973, at the age of 74. His remains were laid to rest in the Imel Cemetery, the family's ancient burial ground going back several generations.