Mr. Harter was a rich man who married women to get rich and not out of love. He came to an orphanage to adopt an orphan. He initially chose Moe but as they drove off in their car Moe asked if he could go back and adopt his two friends, Larry and Curly. Mr. Harter thought three kids were too much and dropped Moe off back at the orphanage and adopted a young Teddy.