Michael D. Harter

Michael Daniel Harter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 15th district
In office March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893
Preceded by	Charles H. Grosvenor
Succeeded by	H. Clay Van Voorhis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 14th district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895
Preceded by	James W. Owens
Succeeded by	Winfield S. Kerr
Personal details
Born	April 6, 1846 Canton, Ohio
Died	February 22, 1896 (aged 49) Fostoria, Ohio
Resting place	Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Ohio
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Mary L. Brown
Children	five
Signature

Michael Daniel Harter (April 6, 1846 – February 22, 1896) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio, grandson of Robert Moore.

Born in Canton, Ohio, Harter attended the public schools. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and banking. He moved to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1869. At the age of twenty-three became treasurer and manager of the Aultman & Taylor Co. upon its organization. He established the Harter Bank in 1866.^[1] He established the Isaac Harter Milling Company in Fostoria, the largest producer of flour in the state.^[1]

Harter was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congresses (March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1895). He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1894. In congress, he was strongly in favor of the Gold Standard, and against free silver, views in opposition to his own party. His views won out during the Panic of 1893, when congress, in special session, repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.^[1] He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spent his summers in Mansfield. He committed suicide in Fostoria, Ohio, February 22, 1896.^[2] He was interred in Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, Ohio.

Harter was married to Mary L. Brown in 1869, and they had three sons and two daughters. His wife and children, except one daughter survived him.^[1]

References

1. Danner, John, ed. (1904). Old Landmarks of Canton and Stark County, Ohio. Logansport, Indiana: B F Brown. pp. 1096–1098. OCLC 79257924.
2. "His Mind Unbalanced, Sad Suicide of Hon. Michael D. Harter". Kentucky New Era: 1. 1896-02-24.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Michael D. Harter (id: H000296)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Michael D. Harter at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.