WILLIAMS COUNTY OHIO: OBITS: HARDING *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John E. Taylor, Jr. jetj@bright.net 23 October 1999 *********************************************************************** GEORGE W. HARDING From The Bryan Press, March 27, 1930 George W. HARDING was born near Newark, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1839, and died at his home on E. Butler street, Bryan, Ohio, March 23, 1930, aged 90 years, 6 months and 4 days. He learned the harness making trade at Utica, Ohio, and in 1860 came to Bryan, Ohio. Here he worked at his trade for several years, and on June 10, 1863 he embarked in the business for himself at the same location which he occupied at the time of his death. It was one of his ambitions to live so as to establish a new record for any one man being in business at the same stand. The record in the United States has been 65 years. He desired to live to make the record 70 years. This he was not permitted to do, but he did break the record by being in business at the same old stand on the south side of the square for nearly 67 years. He was a member of the first school board of the city and was president of the board when the first class was graduated 52 years ago and presented the diplomas. He also presented the diplomas to the class which graduated two years ago, which was the largest class ever graduated from the school. He also served the city as a member of the city council. Mr. HARDING united with the First English Lutheran church Aug. 16, 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. A. J. TURKLE, D. D. and has been a faithful member ever since. He was always at his place in the sanctuary when able to be there. He was a member of Bryan Lodge No. 215 F. & A. M. for more than sixty years, having been initiated as an Entered Apprentice June 17, 1869, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft July 22, 1869, and raised to a Master Mason August 12th., 1869. He was a Companion of Northwest Chapter No. 45 R. A. M. having received his degrees during the year 1870. He was also a Companion of Bryan Council No. 101 R. & S. M. having received his degrees June 9, 1909. He was a Past Master of Bryan Lodge No. 215 F. & A. M. having served during the lodge year of 1913 to 1914. He received a past master's jewel from Bryan Lodge No. 215 F. & A. M. and a Fifty Year medal from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. He was a faithful member of Bryan Lodge and will be greatly missed by the brothers. Mr. HARDING was initiated into Bryan Chapter No. 248 O. E. S. on July 15, 1907, while Margaret Jean RILEY was Worthy Matron and Eugene NEWMAN Worthy Patron. He never held office in the Chapter but was a loyal member. Because of his advanced age, at a meeting in October, 1928, he was made a life member. He was present at the second meeting in October and thanked the Chapter for this honor. This proved to be his last visit, and the order has lost a respected and admired member. George HARDING was also an honored member of I. O.O. F. to which order he belonged for more than 64 years. On Nov. 1, 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy E. HECKENLIVELY who departed this life Sept. 17, 1920. To this union were born four children, Stanley of Montpelier, Stanton of Bryan, Lena Evelyn, who departed this life Jan. 31, 1875 and Mary Leona who died May 30, 1929. Besides the two sons he is survived by five grandchildren and a host of friends. Mr. HARDING was the last of a family of nine children. It may also be stated that he numbered among his relatives the late President of the U. S., Warren HARDING. Funeral services were conducted at the First English Lutheran church on Tuesday afternoon, March 25, at 1:20, by his pastor, Rev. J. Ernest ZIMMERMAN, and interment was made in Fountain Grove cemetery. JOSEPH HENRY HARDING from The Bryan Press May 13, 1915, page 5 Joseph Henry HARDING, a brother of G. W. HARDING, of Bryan, died at his home in San Bernadino, Cal., a week ago. A San Bernadino paper prints an account of his funeral, which was held in the Congregational church and attended by ceremonies of the patriotic orders of which he was a member. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was born in Louisville, Ky., October 2, 1841. He enlisted at the age of 19 in the 31st. Ohio Infantry and served through the entire war. After the war he located in Bryan and lived here until about 1883, when he went West and made his home in Kansas and California ever since. He was married to Harriet SNYDER in 1870, and she survives him. They had five sons, all of whom were with the father in his last sickness, except the oldest, Jasper, who passed away some years ago. The G. A. R. and W. R. C., took part in the funeral and Mr. HARDING's death removed a prominent figure from the circles of his home city where he was highly respected. WILLIAM HARDING, Sr. From The Bryan Press, July 14, 1892, page 2 and The Bryan Democrat, July 14, 1892, page 8. HARDING - On Thursday, July 7th., at the age of 83 years, William HARDING, SR. Wm. HARDING, Sr., was born in Padbury, Buckinghamshire, England, April 5th., 1809. He sailed from Liverpool, March 30th, 1832, and arrived in New York Harbor, May 1st. On January 8th, 1834, at Springfield, Onida county, N. Y., he united in marriage with Miss Matilda BAYLIS, a native of Finmore, Oxfordshire, England. She bore him nine children, four of which died in early childhood and one, Mrs. Charlotte PERKINS, died in Kansas last fall. Three sons, Geo. W., of Bryan, William, od Defiance, and Joseph, of Kansas, and one daughter, Mrs. Noah DALLY, of Bryan, and B. F. REPP, to whom he was a father since his eighth year, yet survive to mourn his loss and cherish his memory. His devoted wife died about twenty years ago, and he married Mrs. Maria (FREEMAN) BAKER, who also preceded him into the "land of the majority." At the residence of his son, George, on East Butler st., after an illness of but eight days, in the presence of his sons George and William, and daughter Mrs. DALLY, and others, on last Thursday evening, he peacefully departed for the land of eternal youth. Thus after 83 years, 3 months and 2 days, Father HARDING is no more in the flesh. For the past 55 years he has been a citizen of Ohio. The first twenty-six years of this he lived in Knox and Licking counties and the last twenty-nine in Williams county, coming here on July 10th, 1863 - twenty-nine years ago to the day of his funeral. The only public office he ever held was township trustee for one term, soon after coming to this county. The funeral services were held on last Sunday at 3pm., in the English Lutheran church, of which he was the oldest and one of the most esteemed members. We wish through your paper, to thank our neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted us during the sickness and death of our father. - G. W. HARDING and Family. DEATH OF WM. HARDING from The Bryan Democrat, Feb. 24, 1920, page 1 William HARDING, aged 72 years, brother of G. W. HARDING of East Butler street, and a former resident and business man of Bryan, passed away at the home of his son, Bert HARDING, four miles southeast of Defiance, Saturday, February 21, 1920. For a number of years, Mr. HARDING conducted a harness store just north of the First National Bank, selling to B. F. REPP some twenty years ago and moving to Defiance. He was a Civil War veteran, enlisting at the age of 16 years and serving throughout, being made captain of his company during the time. He leaves a widow, one son, one daughter and 9 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the home of his son Tuesday afternoon, February 24, at 2 o'clock, Interment will be in the Defiance cemetery.