>From the Flora, Indiana, newspaper (undated): "JOHN HARTER, WELL RESPECTED CITIZEN, IS BECKONED AWAY. "Friends of John Harter, one of the city's oldest and most highly esteemed residents, were grievously shocked about seven o'clock Thursday evening of last week when it became known that he had expired suddenly about 6:30 with heart trouble at his home on South Division street. His last sickness was perhaps of not over thirty or forty-five minutes' duration, although for a couple weeks prior to his death he had been accustomed to dizzy and smothering spells. "The day previous he had assisted his children in helping to clean up his home, which he seemed to enjoy to the fullest extent. Thursday afternoon he had been around the home apparently in his usual health. In the evening he had gone to the barnlot to feed his horse and chickens and to gather the eggs. Upon returning to the house he had paused to chat and joke for a few minutes with a neighbor, Samuel Miller, who was at the rear of his residence. He then went into the house, where he was informed by his wife that the supper was ready. Instead of going to the supper table, however, he complained that he was not feeling very well and went into the bed room, where he laid down on a bed, his clothing and shoes still on. Shortly, Mrs. Harter went into the room and, seeing that he was ill, a physician was notified. The physician at once saw that his life was fast ebbing and gave him a stimulant but nothing could be done and at about 6:30 he closed his eyes in that last long sleep. So sudden had been the end that even many close relatives had not learned of his illness. "Funeral services were held at the Church of the Brethren Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev A P Musselman, and Rev A G Crosswhite of Peru, a former pastor. Interment was made in Maple Lawn. "John Harter, oldest of seven children of Lewis and Catherine Myer Harter, was born in Carroll County, two miles northwest of Flora, on April 2, 1837, on a farm which his grandfather, David Harter, had homesteaded in 1827. His parents were both natives of Ohio who emigrated to Indiana in its primeval state. At his death the subject of this article was past 88 years of age. "The educational privileges of Mr Harter were quite limited but by reading and close observation he became a well informed and intelligent man. At the age of 22 he left home and began the cultivation of a rented farm, finally accumulating 300 acres of fertile land. At the time of his demise he still owned 200 acres. "On January 10, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Eikenberry and they had shared each others joys and sorrows for over 64 years. Four years ago they observed their sixtieth wedding anniversary at the family home, surrounded by their children and families. To the union were born nine children. "The oldest to the youngest are: Joseph L of Olivet, Michigan; Martin, of Nappanee; William and Mrs Emma Brubaker of this city; Mrs Ellen Cripe of Miami, Florida; Mrs Rebecca Crume, of this city; Mrs. Susie Sink, of Delphi; Franklin, deceased; and Reuben, of north of town. All with the exception of Joseph were present at the last sad rites of the father. He also leaves 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Two grand- children had preceded him. "Deceased was one of the sturdy pioneers of this community, being a child of the second family to live in Jackson township. What is now the west portion of Flora and which is known as the Harter addition, was once his farm, on which he labored, even clearing much of the land from its wild forests that it might be cultivated. "His early boyhood was full of interesting epocs. He saw this country when it was a dense woods, with here and there a trail cut through the wilderness. He had known the hardships of the early pioneers. Often he had taken a big wagon and oxen and journeyed to Lafayette to bring back flour and a feed supply for his father's, as well as the neighboring families, and had gone to Michigan City, a several days' drive, to bring home salt and other commodities. "He had, in his early days, played with the Indians, who at that time had a settlement on Wild Cat near Cutler. He had seen them come to the home of his parents to trade or to borrow a big kettle, which they would almost always bring back the following day. He had had the opportunity of hunting deer, wolves and other wild game that was so prevalent at that time. He had often told of these hunts and said that the last deer he had ever killed was in the Mountain vicinity northeast of Flora. He had witnessed the transfiguration of these big woods into fertile fields with their fields waving high with golden grain and tasseled corn. In fact it had been privileged him to see all the changes that have come about in Carroll county for almost four-score years. "He had always been of robust physique and health. Only three times in his long span of life had he known the meaning of a doctor's visit to his home. The first was twenty-five years ago; the second about three years ago when he fell at his home and was hurt; and the last time was last Thursday evening. "He moved from what is now the west part of FLora to the old Harter homestead, which now comes into possession of his heirs, just a year before the railroad was built through this city. Flora at that time was practically unknown. After moving to the farm he remained until about eighteen years ago when he and his companion retired, moving to this city, which has since been their home. He was always known as being hale and hearty physically. "He was ever an active figure in the community. In politics he was a staunch Republican, although always fair to those of opposite faith. Hunting and fishing were ever his delight, even to his last days. On the Monday previous to his death, in company with Lewis Harter, another resident of past 80 years of age, he had gone to the gravel pit east of town and made a nice catch. He loved, inf act, the wild outdoors. The duties of home were a constant pleasure, too, for he loved the fireside and all that pertained to it. "His desirse for the house of God were constant and he loved to assemble in worship. For almost 45 years he and his wife had been members of the Church of the Brethren. To this faith he had always been faithful. His life speaks for itself --- he has been a good father and husband; he loved and cherished the things eternal; his was a life well lived, one full of things worth while, and in their memory of him the children that survive will ever have a lasting monument, one which the elements of weather and the ravages of time cannot destroy. The best, perhaps, that could be said of him is summed up in the following word of the poet: "Life's labor done, as sinks the clay Lightened from its load the spiritual ___________" The newspaper account follows with a photo of John Harter and his wife (Sarah Eikenberry) as they looked on their 60th wedding anniversary. Alas, I don't know how to scan, and my xeroxed copy is poor. Happy hunting. **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)