Minerd.com Biography of William Elliot and Ethel Irene (Ream) Harbaugh of Clarksville, PA

Ethel Irene Ream (1899-1975) and
William Elliott Harbaugh
(1899-1973)

Ethel Irene (Ream) Harbaugh was born May 17, 1899 in Lower Turkeyfoot Township in the community of Confluence, Somerset County, PA. She was the third of 16 children born to Joseph and Sarah Ellen (Harbaugh) Ream.

Like her sisters before her, Ethel worked hard on the family farm near the old Jersey settlement. There was a daily routine of washing clothes, baking bread, scrubbing floors and preparing meals.

As the story goes, Ethel was teased about a certain young man named William "Elliot" Harbaugh, who was a cousin. It was reported that she replied curtly that “I wouldn’t marry him if he was the last man on earth.”

Needless to say Ethel already knew Elliot, who was her cousin, and they eventually were married. Elliot (1899-1973) was the son of Marshall and Annie M. (Shroyer) Harbaugh. (Note -- Elliot was a brother to Nora Harbaugh, who married Ethel’s brother Edgar. Eliot and Nora's grandparents were Joseph and Jane (Williams) Harbaugh.)

The Harbaughs had seven children -- Sara Elizabeth Scott, William Alfred Harbaugh, Anna Ruth Bates, Marshall Lester Harbaugh, Wilma Marie Adams, Tedford "Ted" Frantz Harbaugh and Eunice "Dolly" Eileen Mraz.

The Harbaughs, July 1938, after the birth of their youngest child

Ethel and Elliot moved in about 1937 to Sandy Plaines, near Clarksville, Greene County, PA, where they lived the rest of their lives. Their home was at the top of Black Dog Hollow Road. There was a coal mine behind the barn on their property, and their sons and friends would occasionally dig coal for the family's use.

Elliot is known to have labored at the Vesta No. 5 coal mine of the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation.

In the mid-1940s, Elliot provided family history information for the Coopriders' 1947 book, Harbaugh History, a standard reference in the Harbaugh family.

Jones & Laughlin Steel's Vesta-Shannopin mines, where coal traveled by conveyor over the suspension bridge at right into the coal preparation plant for cleaning and loading into barges bound for J&L Steel plants.

The family enjoyed attending the annual Harbaugh Reunions and are known to have been present in 1961 and 1963 (when they received the "Largest Family Present" award). Son Ted kept the tradition going with the "Most Recent Married" award in 1957 and the "Largest Family" award (in 1969-72, 1978-82 and 1991-96). They also helped with children's games over the years, and Ted was elected Vice President in 1972-77 and 1985-86 and was President in 1983-85.

A niece recalls fond memories of visiting the Harbaugh farm in Clarksville every summer. "It was a once a year trip," she said, "although now it doesn't seem that far. They always had home cured hams in the smoke house and our visit was an occasion for Uncle Elliot to bring in a ham. They had a huge table and the eating was 'good'."

Ethel outlived him by two years, and passed away of leukemia on Jan. 19, 1975. They are buried at the Maple Summit Cemetery, Mill Run, Fayette County, PA.

The Harbaugh clan, clockwise from lower left: Dolly, Bill, Anna Ruth, Lester, Wilma, Ted, Sara, Elliot and Ethel.

Daughter Sara Elizabeth Harbaugh (1924-1997) was born on Aug. 4, 1924 in Confluence.

In 1953, the family moved to Canton, Stark County, OH and remained there for good. They were members of the Christian Tabernacle Church.

Sadly, Donald died just 17 days before his 69th birthday on Dec. 8, 1990. Burial was in Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton, with Rev. John Henninger officiating.

Sara survived for another seven years. She passed into eternity on Oct. 31, 1997 in Canton's Aultman Hospital. An obituary was published in her home town newspaper, the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter.

Son William Alfred Harbaugh (1925-2009) was born in Confluence, Somerset County.

At the age of 29, he married 24-year-old Joye M. Doman (June 1, 1930-2017) on Oct. 13, 1954. She was the daughter of Tracy M. and Hilda S. (Ryan) Doman.

They made a home in Sandy Plains near Clarksville and were members of East Bethlehem Baptist Church.

William was employed in Jones & Laughlin Corporation's Vesta 5 Mine, where he was a roof bolter and logged more than two decades of work, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local No. 762 and the East Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Said the Uniontown Herald-Standard, "He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting and gardening. He was quite the handyman and always willing to lend a hand to those who asked. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family."

Joye worked for the A&P Store at various sites throughout the region and was a member of the United Food Workers Local 590. After a 34-year career, she retired in 1981. She enjoyed photography, telephone conversations and sending cards to loved ones.

In 2000, William attended the annual Harbaugh Reunion, wearing a ballcap of the Harbaugh-Mediate Inc. of Youngwood, PA, a Caterpillar replacement parts business. He was photographed at the event by the founder of this website.

William died at the age of 83 on April 8, 2009, in the Southwest Regional Medical Center. He was laid to rest in the Beallsville Cemetery. At the time of his death, William along with Joye had produced two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Joye outlived her spouse by eight years. She succumbed at the age of 87, on Oct. 21, 2017, as a patient in Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Burial was in Beallsville Cemetery, with Pastor James Cannon preaching the funeral service. The Washington Observer-Reporter printed an obituary.

Daughter Brenda Harbaugh married Douglas Hutchinson. They live in Clarksville and are the parents of René Gardner and Bradley W. Hutchinson.

During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army with the 7th Cavalry Regiment.

After the war, he returned home to Fredericktown, Deemston Borough, and made a living in road paving and construction with Blacktop Paving and Russell Industries.

He also belonged to the National Pike Gas, Horse & Steam Association and Heavy Highway Local 14693 of the United Steel Workers of America. Said the Washington (PA) Observer Reporter, he "enjoyed tinkering around his garage and also antique cars and trucks. He was an avid hunter and trapper."

Les passed away at the age of 83 on Nov. 7, 2012. Burial was in Buckingham Cemetery in Deemston Borough.

Daughter Wilma Marie Harbaugh (1931-1964) was born on April 15, 1931 in Confluence.

She moved as a girl with her parents and siblings to Fredericktown, Washington County, PA.

At the age of 16, in November 1946, she married 22-year-old Walter Louis Adams, Jr. ( ? - ? ), the son of Walter and Effie (Brooks) Adams Sr. of Fredericktown. Walter was an iron worker, as was his father. Because she was underage, her father had to sign his consent.

Sadly, the Adams' marriage fell apart, and they divorced. Their son was taken in by Wilma's parents and raised in their home.

Wilma took back her maiden name and remained in Clarksville. She was a member of the East Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Tragically, at the age of 32, while driving on the night of Valentine's Day 1964 near her home, Wilma suffered a heart attack and died. The news was covered in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Her remains were lowered into eternal repose in the Maple Summit Church Cemetery.

Son Walter Louis "Big Lou" Adams III (1947-2005) was born on April 22, 1947 in Waynesburg, Greene County, PA. He was raised by his Harbaugh grandparents. On June 14, 1969, at the age of 22, he was united in wedlock with Vicki Reese ( ? - ? ). The couple did not reproduce. Walter was employed by Greif Brothers of Washington, PA as a truck driver and by Bedway Security Services as a security guard. He belonged to the Miner's Club of Richeyville, PA. Sadly, Walter died at the age of 58 on May 12, 2005 in Washington Hospital.

Son Tedford Frantz "Ted" Harbaugh (1933-1995) was born on St. Patrick's Day 1933 in Confluence. At the age of four he moved with his family to Deemston Borough where he remained for the rest of his life.

The pair went on to bear a family of six children -- Daniel F. "Danny" Harbuagh, Betty A. Harbaugh, Valerie Lynn Parsons, April V. Masciarelli, Katherine I. "Katy" Bogus Kozak and Elliot D. Harbaugh.

During the Korean War, Ted served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He later accepted employment with Blacktop Paving Company of Washington, PA. In the community, he was a member of the East Bethlehem Baptist Church, first vice commander of the Hanson-Cole American Legion post in Fredericktown. Related to his work, Ted served as president of Local 14693 of the United Steelworkers of America. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Ted died at the age of 62 on Sept. 28, 1995 in Fayette Health Care Center in Uniontown. Burial was in Maple Summit Cemetery, with Rev. Homer D. Harden and Rev. Del Meagley officiating.

Son Daniel F. "Danny" Harbaugh ( ? -living) was born in (?). He lived in Fredericktown in 1995. He wed Sandy ( ? -living)

Daughter Betty A. Harbaugh ( ? -living) has resided in Scenery Hill, Washington County.

Daughter Valerie Lynn Harbaugh (1962-2022) was born on Aug. 14, 1962 in Washington, PA. Circa 1989-1990, she was joined in wedlock with David Parsons ( ? -living). Their union endured for 32 years. Two daughters in this family were Elissabeth Parsons and Amber Parsons. They made their home for years in Wheeling, WV. Valerie taught with the Switzeerland of Ohio School District and served as a pastor at the Island Christian Church. Said an obituary, she "was the most selfless, loving, caring, and giving mother and wife. She welcomed and loved every person unconditionally. Valerie served on the WV Disciples Women's Cabinet, a member of the Tuesday Morning Pastors Study Group, a founding member of the Wheeling St. Baldrick's day event, and was a pastor, author, teacher, workshop leader, singer, actress, model, and spokesmodel." Sadness blanketed the family when Valerie, age 59, died in the West Virginia University Medicine Wheeling Hospital on May 3, 2022.

Daughter April V. Harbaugh ( ? -living) was wedded to (?) Masciarelli. They had two known children -- Jessica Masciarelli and Autumn Masciarelli. In 1995, the family lived in Fredericktown.

Daughter Katherine I. "Katy" Harbaugh was united in matrimony with (?) Bogus. She dwelled in Fredericktown. In time she married again to (?) Kozak ( ? - ? ).

Bert was a farmer. One of their nieces recalled that he hauled milk from the Harbaughs' Clarksville farm to Cameron, WV. In 1975-1995, they made their residence in Fredericktown, Washington County.

Daughter Deborah K. "Debbie" Mraz (1960-2016) was born on Dec. 20, 1960 in Washington, Washington County. She grew up in Deemston and graduated from Beth-Center High School. She married (?) Massini and produced one daughter, Nicolette Penska. Debbie attended East Bethlehem Baptist Church and enjoyed animals. Circa 2016, she resided in Hidden Valley, Somerset County, PA was employed as dining manager at the Pike Run Country Club in Somerset. Sadly, at the age of 55, Debbie died unexpectedly in her home on April 18, 2016. Rev. George Lammay officiated at her funeral service, followed by interment in Scenery Hill Cemetery. In an obituary, the Somerset Daily American said that "Being with her family and making others happy will always be a fond memory of everyone she touched."