OBIT: James HARDING, 1932, Salisbury, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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JAMES HARDING

  The people of Salisbury and vicinity were shocked, as well as saddened when it 
became known that James Harding, a respected citizen, prominently connected with 
the business activities and the social life of Salisbury Borough and Elk Lick 
Township, had suddenly expired between the noon hour and one o'clock, p.m., 
Sunday, March 16.  Although he had not been in robust health for some time, his 
condition was not regarded as serious, and he was about town as late as last 
Friday afternoon.  It was noticed by some that he was looking a little pale, but 
to those with whom he had been conversing, he did not appear to be ill.  They 
knew, however, that he had undergone a surgical operation for mastoid trouble 
several months ago, and more recently had been confined to his home on account 
of pleurisy, for several days.  Under those circumstances, it was but natural 
that he looked less robust than usual, but his friends generally believed him to 
be well on the way to complete recovery.
  When he returned home in the afternoon, Friday, he was not feeling very well, 
and on Saturday remained in bed all day.  By Sunday morning he was feeling 
somewhat better, and was up and about the house for a while, but soon became 
very short of breath, and began to suffer pain in the region of the heart.  A 
doctor was called, who diagnosed the trouble as an acute attack of heart 
trouble.  The doctor remained about an hour after doing what he could to ease 
the patient, then left him resting easy, and returned home.  Not long 
thereafter, members of Mr. Harding's family began to suspect that he was dying, 
and promptly summoned the same doctor that had been summoned before, also 
another one, but before either of them could reach Mr. Harding's bedside, he 
passed as peacefully away as a babe going to sleep on its mother's breast.  It 
had always been his wish to go just that way when his time came to pass on to 
the great beyond.
  Mr. Harding was born in Northumberland County, England, Sept. 24, 1859, and 
passed out of this life at the age of 72 years, 5 months and 19 days.  He became 
an orphan at the age of 9 years, and, while he had friends to help him in his 
early struggles, he was on his own resources to a great extent, and had many 
disadvantages to contend with.  However, he was a plucky lad, and determined to 
make the best of his meagre advantages.  He managed to get a practical education 
in the common school branches, and at an early age became identified with the 
coal mining industry, first as a miner and mine laborer, but was soon able to 
qualify as a mine foreman, and later as a mine superintendent.
  During his early manhood he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Isabel 
Hopper, and at the age of 22 years, emigrated with his wife to America, locating 
first at Monongahela, Pa.  He soon thereafter took out naturalization papers and 
from the time he became a naturalized citizen until the day he died, his loyalty 
to the United States was steadfast and unwavering at all times.  He soon became 
prominently identified with the coal mining industry in this country, both as a 
mine foreman and a mine superintendent.  
  He located with his family in Elk Lick Township, Somerset County, in 1899, as 
a mine foreman in the employ of the Merchants Coal Company, but located 
elsewhere a few years later.  In 1907, he again located in Elk Lick Township, 
and a few years later became a citizen of Salisbury, after embarking in the coal 
mining business for himself, operating a mine at Coal Run, which during the 
World War was very profitable to him and his eldest son, John Harding, and 
enabled them to furnish profitable employment to a considerable number of 
employees, until the present depression in the coal mining business set in 
several years ago.
  During all the years Mr. Harding was a resident of Salisbury, he had the 
welfare of the community at heart, and could always be depended on to do what he 
could to make it a better place in which to live.  He had confidence in the 
community, which he showed by acquiring therein a nice modern home and other 
property.  During the years he resided in Salisbury he also served as a member 
of the School Board, the Town Council, the Board of Health, and was also 
officially connected with such organizations as the local branch of the Parent-
Teacher Association, Chamber of Commerce, etc.  He also did his part in helping 
along any and all community welfare movements and local charities.  He will be 
missed by his co-workers in such movements, and by many others.
  He was a good husband to his devoted wife who survives him, and a kind and 
loving father to his four surviving children, namely, Mary, wife of M. A. 
Wagner; John, William and Mima, all residents of this community, the last named 
at home.  He is also survived by two grandsons, three granddaughters, and one 
great-grandson.
  The funeral was held at the family home, North Grant Street, Wednesday 
afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. S. D. Sigler.  The burial 
arrangement was in charge of Funeral Director W. C. Price of Meyersdale, and the 
obsequies at the cemetery were in charge of the Meyersdale Masonic Lodge, of 
which Mr. Harding was a member since the year 1900.  He also was a member of 
some of the higher degrees of the Masonic fraternity.
  The funeral was largely attended, and the floral tributes were many, and very 
beautiful.  Interment was in the Salisbury I.O.O.F. Cemetery.  As a mark of 
respect for one who had served the community well as a school director, the 
schools closed at noon on the day of the funeral.

Meyersdale Republican, March 17, 1932