BIO: Hon. John E. HARDER, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 968 & 969.
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  HON. JOHN E. HARDER, long a successful business man and representative citizen 
of the borough of Clearfield, which, just previous to his death, he was serving 
as chief burgess, was owner and proprietor of Harder's Gun Works, one of the old 
and prosperous business concerns of this place, established in 1878.  He was 
born at Lock Haven in 1858, being one of a family of four children born to his 
parents, who were Jacob and Maud (Fletcher) Harder.  After graduating from the 
Lock Haven Seminary, he learned the gunsmith's trade under his father, and when 
sufficiently skilled, came in 1878 to Clearfield, where he established himself 
in business.  Keeping well in touch with the discoveries in mechanical science, 
Mr. Harder was always up to date in the character and quality of his goods, and 
from time to time found himself obliged to enlarge his plant.  The Harder's Gun 
Works manufacture and deal in gas and electric supplies, automobiles, guns, 
bicycles, fishing tackle, cutlery, base ball supplies and sporting goods, 
umbrellas, electrical appliances, fireworks and musical instruments.  They also 
repair bicycles, automobiles, guns, safes, umbrellas, typewriters, sewing-
machines, talking machines and skates, and make electric light and bell work a 
specialty.  In connection with the factory an automobile garage is also carried 
on and gasoline, lubricants and supplies handled.  A wide field is covered and 
there is a growing demand for the firm's products.
  Mr. Harder was a thirty-second degree Mason and belonged also to other 
fraternal organizations.  From early manhood he was politically identified with 
the Republican party, and whether serving his friends or holding office himself, 
was always loyal to its principles.  In 1898 he raised a volunteer company for 
possible service in the Spanish-American war and was chosen captain.  In 
February, 1909, he was elected chief burgess of Clearfield, having a majority of 
100 votes over his opponent, although the borough in nominally Democratic, and 
he was serving in this office at the time of his death, which took place 
suddenly on the afternoon of October 11, 1910.  He had made an excellent record 
as burgess, and his efforts in the direction of reform and progress were 
encouraged and supported by the best and most substantial citizens.
  Mr. Harder married Miss Frank L. Showers, a daughter of the late David 
Showers, formerly of Williamsport, Pa., and of this marriage was born a son, J. 
Emmott Harder, who is now the manager of Harder's Gun Works, the business being 
owned by Mrs. J. E. Harder, the widow of our subject.  The son, J. Emmot Harder, 
married Miss May Gearhart, of Clearfield.  Mrs. J. E. Harder, the elder, is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also her husband.  The family 
residence stands at No. 319 Locust street, which has been their home for twenty-
two years - a place well known to the best society of Clearfield for its 
cheerful and unostentatious hospitality.