BIO: William H. Harder; Buffalo, Erie Co., NY

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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History of Northwestern New York: Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee and
Orleans Counties.
Lewis Historical Pub. Company, pub. about 1947 (?)
Vol. 3 Biographies

WILLIAM H. HARDER

From its inception in 1932 William H. Harder has been associated with the
First Boston Corporation, in New York and Buffalo. He has been company manager
in Buffalo since 1937, and this investment banking firm has benefited to a
remarkable degree from his contribution to it.

Mr. Harder was born September 13, 1908, in Buffalo, New York, son of the late
Edwin Harder, a native Pennsylvanian, and Cordelia (Cousins) Harder, who was
born in northern New York State and came to Buffalo at the turn of the
century. Edwin Harder was a graduate in electrical engineering from
Pennsylvania State College, and for some years prior to his death he was with
the Buffalo General Electric Company.

William H. Harder attended public schools in Buffalo, was graduated from
Lafayette High School here, then entered Cornell University, where he received
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1930. He became associated first of all with
the First National Bank of Boston, being affiliated with their New York City
organization in the capacity of clerk. Remaining there until 1932, he then
became a clerk with the First Boston Corporation, of New York and Buffalo. His
own work was in New York. In 1934 he became a sales representative of the
company, and after gaining his initial experience in the sales department
there he returned to his native city of Buffalo in 1935 to be assistant
manager of the First Boston Corporation in this city. In 1937 he was made
manager, and he so continues down to the time of writing. The Buffalo office
of the company was started in 1932 and has undergone a period of continuing
growth and development since that time.

The First Boston Corporation has rendered outstanding service to both the
Federal Government and private industry in financing World War II. As the war
drew to a close, it turned its attention more concentratedly upon the coming
peace era. In capital resources the corporation stands second among the
Nation’s investment banking houses in a tabulation published by "Finance" and
presumably compiled by reliable sources. The manner in which the capital has
been employed has been creditable, too, demonstrating the corporation’s
knowledge of markets and market values in the world of industry. In addition
to being one of the largest wholsesalers and one of the largest retailers of
securities, the First Boston Corporation keeps in intimate connection with
dealers, large and small throughout the Nation, and among its many services
offers a full advisory assistance to its customers and others. The cmpany
avoids securities which are of a purely speculative nature, all of its
thousands of transactions of varying types being those suitable for investment
purposes. Whether buying $50 or $100 worth of government bonds, or as much as
$100,000,000 worth or more, the organization gives the same careful attention
to its large numbers of customers. Underwriting municipal bond issues, public
utility issues and issues of securities for paper, oil, gas and other types of
companies, the First BostOn Corporation renders a greatly diversified service
and one that has gained in size, scope and importance with recent years. In
1945 investment banking firms were reported as having more than $367,000,000
in capital at their disposal for underwriting securities issues, and standing
very near the top of the list in this heavy financing is the First Boston
Corporation.

In addition to his splendid work in this connection Mr. Harder takes a deep
interest in community affairs. He is a member of the Buffalo Athletic Club.
the Cornell Club of New York. the Cornell Club of Buffalo. the Midday Club and
the Wanakah Country Club. The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity of Cornell University
claims him as a member. He is a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of
Buffalo.

William H. Harder married, in 1935, in Buffalo, New York. Jane Torrence, of
this city, daughter of Clifford M. and Lena (Lokey) Torrence. Her father is
now deceased. He was instrumental in organizing the Sun Oil Company in the
western New York area. Mrs. Harder herself was born in Toledo, Ohio, and came
to Buffalo at the age of two years with her parents. attending high school at
Silver Creek, New York, then matriculating at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Harder became the parents of three children: 1. William H., Jr.,
born in November, 1937. in Buffalo. 2. Luella, born here in 1939. 3. Torrence.
born in September, 1943. in this city.