Fremont County CO Archives Biographies.....Harding, Theodore Marsh October 6, 1855 - June 27, 1913
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carolyn Golowka http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002972 September 30, 2009, 9:32 pm

Source: "History of Colorado," published by Linderman Co., Inc. Denver 1927
Author: James H. Baker & LeRoy R. Hafen, Ph D

Pages 198-199

   Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 6, 1855, Theodore Marsh Harding was for
many hears a prominent citizen of Colorado and well known and highly esteemed
resident of Canon City.  He was the eleventh direct descendant of an old English
family, of whom three brothers, together with their cousin, came to America in
1623, the cousin being Lady Mary Harding, who became the wife of William
Georges, the first governor of Maine.
   Mr. Harding was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati, and at the age
of fifteen entered the employ of Perin & Gaff, wholesale hardware merchants.  He
soon mastered the details of the business and was chosen to represent the firm
as traveling salesman, a position he held until overwork and a tendency to
pulmonary affection induced him to remove to Colorado.  He went to Canon City in
April, 1878, and from that time until his death on June 27, 1913, he was
intimately associated with the growth and development of the town and its
surroundings.
   Canon City at the time Mr. Harding cast his lot with it, was on the eve of
the struggle between the Santa Fe and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroads for the
possession of the Royal Gorge, and, with the keen foresight he so often
displayed in later years, he established a hardware store shortly after his
arrival which is still continued by his family.  It was a farsighted and
profitable investment.
   The activities of Mr. Hading for the advancement of the interests and welfare
of Canon City began with the day of his arrival there and continued as long as
he lived.  He was a leader in all things having to do with the progress of the
community.  He was enterprising and public-spirited and cooperated in all
movements designed for the general good.  He was a director in the first company
that sought railroad connection between Canon City and the Cripple Creek
district; he was president of the Canon City Business Men’s Association; and the
precursor of its Chamber of Commerce.  He was a promoter of improvement
districts by means of which cement sidewalks were built in the more sparsely
settled portions of the town; was na advocate of good roads; and was influential
in the establishment of Canon City’s scenic highway system, particularly its
famous Skyline Drive.
   Mr. Harding was a staunch churchman of the Episcopal faith and contributed
liberally to the support of religion.  He was a member of the Masonic and Elks
lodges.  His death occurred June 27, 1913.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/fremont/bios/harding300nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cofiles/

File size: 3.2 Kb