My Genealogy Hound

HARRY J. NEWMAN, senior partner in the manufacturing firm of H. J. Newman & Co., was born in Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1865, and is the son of Jared R. and Harriet A. (Pike) Newman and grandson of James Newman, a native of Vermont, who was one of the early farmer settlers of Cattaraugus county, New York. He married, reared a family of eight children and died in Cattaraugus county in 1857. Jared R. Newman, the father of subject, was born in Cattaraugus county in 1832, and while still a young man traveled through the north-west. Among other places visited was Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, when it was a very small village, and the Indians were more numerous than the whites. He returned from his western trip and finally located in Franklin, Pa., where, embarking in the furniture business, he conducted it successfully until 1876, when, disposing of it, he came to Jamestown. Soon after this he began furniture manufacturing, which was continued to the time of his death, when a company, of which his son is the head, succeeded him. He married Harriet A. Pike, who bore him one son, the subject of this sketch. A republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church, he also had the distinction of being among the first members of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the fourth on the charter of the third lodge in Pennsylvania. He died May 19, 1887, the funeral being largely attended by the lodge and his many friends.

Harry J. Newman received a good early education, and was taught the principles of business by his father, whom he succeeded at his death. Beginning in 1887, the business grew until at present it requires a building 112x48, two stories high, located on Holmes street, to do the work. At the death of his father he associated others with him, and the business requires now about forty men. He united in marriage, July 5, 1886, with Mary Eva Fisher, a daughter of Z. W. Fisher, who was one of the earliest settlers of McKean county, Pa., where he lived until the oil excitement, finally locating in Jamestown, where he now lives a quiet life. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have one child, Mary M.

In politics Mr. Newman is like his father, identified with the republicans, and is a Mason, being a member of Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 145, of Jamestown, and is enthusiastic in their work. He is recognized as a sagacious business man, proof of which is plainly shown by the success of the business house of which he is the head. With a large circle of friends Mr. and Mrs. Newman have a pleasant future in view.