Barta Wold - A Woman Of Accomplishment

Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold

At the age of eighty (80) Barta had the foresight to put in writing her family accomplishments which are contained in a notebook on file at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, One Town Square, Austin, Pennsylvania.  The information  provided here is only a small parcel taken from that information.

Barta was born in Norway and came to Austin in 1890 to join her father who had immigrated to the United States in 1889 finding work at the Goodyear Lumber Company.  Barta writes the following:

"Hagbarta (Barta) Johanna Wold. 1888-         Single.  Valedictorian of High School class in Austin, 1907.  At 13 years of age, was teaching a class in Citizenship for Swedish men.  Also played organ in Swedish Mission Church on Turner Street.  Received a scholarship for Lycoming College (Dickinson Seminary) Williamsport with A.B. in Classics.  Member Sigma Alpha Sorority.  Taught 1909-1912 in Austin.  One year at Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pa. to study French, German, Latin & History.  Due to 1911 flood in Austin, unable to finish at Wilson; entered the Nurses Training School, University of Penna. at Phila., Pa.  Charge of Health Program at Drexel Institute, and was one of the first school nurses in Phila.  Resigned from Drexel to serve in France with Base Hospital #20 from U. of P.  W.W.I. left Base  #20 for service on Hospital Train  #56.  After mustering out in New York, accepted a position with the War Community Chest for 18 months to head a pilot project, working with miners and their families in Jefferson and Indiana Counties, Pa.  Program included: classes in citizenship, cooking and sewing and home nursing; Laid foundation for school nursing in Jefferson County.  Supervisor of Instruction at the Post Graduate Hospital N.Y. City.  24 years as Executive Secretary with the Lycoming Co. Tuberculosis Society; for nine years State Health Chairman for the Pa. Congress P.T.A.; President, Williamsport Civic Club; Lycoming County Federation of Women's Club; member St. Pauls Lutheran Church, member of Altar Committee and President of W.S.C.S.; member of Alumni Board, Lycoming College.  Also took a horseback trip with friend, Dorothy Wallard, from Schenectady, N.Y. to Austin.  Retired 1955.  After retirement returned to Austin; supervised M.Y.F. at the Methodist Church and President W.S.C.S.; President Vets Auxiliary; member American Legion.  Wrote "Nurse Goes to War":, "Austin Pa.,The Hemlock City", compiled booklet for the Diamond Jubilee of Austin Methodist Church, compiled "First Eighty Years in U.S.A".  Owns the old homestead and lives there with her dog, Spinkey.  Age 82 years in 1970."

Barta in uniform

The Honored Guests included a multitude of  local, county and state officials including Mr. Bernard Cooney, Mr. Russell Hofer, and Frances Bennett from Austin.

Barta passed away in 1984 and is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Austin, Potter County, Pennsylvania.

A search of the internet will reveal many more fascinating information on this wonderful woman, including her being the first to file for naturalization in Potter County on December 24, 1909.

As a result of Barta penning "Austin, Pennsylvania, The Hemlock City 1890-1910" we are aware of early events in the development of Potter County.

The Hemlock City can be purchased at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society museum or calling Ronnie Ebbert at (814)647-8358