Rev. F. R. Harbaugh Dead

Death Caused By Heart Disease Last Thursday

He Was Twice Pastor of the Red Bank Presbyterian Church-An Invalid for Several Years Past-The Funeral Held on Sunday

Rev. Fullerton Reck Harbaugh of Red Bank died last Thursday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles Henry Ivins, with whom he had made his home for many years. Mr. Harbaugh was 71 years old. He had been an invalid a long time and he suffered with a complication of diseases, but heart disease was the direct cause of death.

Mr. Harbaugh was a graduate of Princeton college, and was a man of exceptionally high intellectual attainments. He chose the ministry as his career and his first charge was at Red Bank, he coming to this town in October, 1853. At that time there was no Presbyterian church building at Red Bank, the Presbyterians, as well as members of other religious sects, worshipping in the old forum, which was then on Mechanic street.

Mr. Harbaugh left Red Bank after a year of service here, and went to Burlington. He was afterward at Hackettstown, Philadelphia and Belvidere. In March, 1874, he was again called to Red Bank, where he served until his health failed. The church retired him on a pension of $400 a year, which was regularly paid up to the time of his death. The clergymen who served in the Presbyterian church between Mr. Harbaugh’s first and second appointments were Revs. William Scribner, D. D. Sahler, D. V. McLean and John R. Hamilton. Rev. R. G. Davey succeeded Mr. Harbaugh, and Mr. Davey now retires to take charge of a church at Toronto.

Mr. Harbaugh was born at Frederick, Maryland, April 21st, 1829. He was the son of Catherine Bentz and Samuel Harbaugh. Mr. Harbaugh married Mrs. Ellen Vandergrift of Trenton on May 31st, 1853. His wife was a widow, and was the daughter of Stacy G. Potts, a judge of the New Jersey supreme court. She died many years ago. Mr. Harbaugh left but one child--Mrs. Annie Ivins, with whom he lived.

A memorial service was held in the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning, and the funeral was held at the house on Sunday afternoon. A large number were present, in spite of the storm, to pay their last respects to the dead clergyman. The sermon was preached by Rev. Edward B. Hodge of Philadelphia, a lifelong friend of Mr. Harbaugh’s. Other clergymen present were Rev. James A. Reynolds, Rev. R. G. Davey, Rev. W. B. Matteson, Rev. Robert Mackellar and Rev. Samuel D. Price of Shrewsbury. The burial was at Fair View cemetery. The bearers were Matthew Rue, Frank Byram, Isaac H. Adlem, Henry S. White, William J. Sickles and George V. Sneeden.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Feb 28, 1900