HARDING, Luther R.

HARDING, REEVES, MAPES, HERREMAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/5/2014 at 13:46:03

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 663-64. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ LUTHER R. HARDING

Numbered among the sterling representatives of the great basic industry of agriculture in Cerro Gordo county is this well known pioneer whose name [Luther R. Harding] initiates this paragraph and he is the owner of a finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, eligibly located in sections 21 and 22 of Lincoln township. He has been a resident of this county for nearly forty years, and it has been his privilege and pleasure to contribute his measure to the industrial and civic development and upbuilding of one of the opulent and progressive sections of the fine old Hawkeye state. Upon coming to this county Mr. Harding first located near Mason City but for the past thirty-six years he has resided on his present homestead in Lincoln township. His energy, industry and progressive methods are clearly shown in the status of his farm, which is under a high degree of cultivation and which has permanent improvements of the highest order.

Luther R. Harding was born in Orange county New York, on the 23d of April, 1832, and is a son of Harvey and Fanny (Reeves) Harding, both of whom are likewise natives of the old Empire state, which continued to represent their home until their death and within which the respective families were founded in the pioneer days of the history of that commonwealth. The mother died at the old home in New York and the father passed away while making a visit to his son in Iowa. The family name has been identified with agricultural pursuits in America since the Colonial epoch, and its representatives have ever stood exemplar of sterling integrity in all the relations of life. The subject of this review was third in order of birth in a family of nine children, of whom seven are living, including two of his brothers who are residents of Cerro Gordo county.

Mr. Harding was reared to maturity in his native county and his educational advantages were those afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. There he continued to be actively engaged in farming until he had attained the age of forty years and he then came to Iowa and took up his residence in Cerro Gordo county, as has already been noted. At one time he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Lincoln township but he has since reduced his homestead by sale and by providing farms for his sons. He has been true to the duties of citizenship and has so demeaned himself as to retain at all times the unqualified esteem of his fellowmen. In politics he maintained an independent attitude. His wife is a member of the Congregational church.

At Otisville, New York, on the 11th of March, 1858, Mr. Harding was united in marriage to Miss Hanna (sic) Maria Mapes, who was born and reared in Orange county, that state. Of the five children, three are living, — Alva and Edgar, who are successful farmers of Lincoln township, and Harvey T., who is engaged in the coal business in the city of Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Harding have ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

NOTE: Luther R. Harding died May 19, 1912. Hannah Maria (Mapes) Harding was born August 26, 1836, and died July 5, 1910.
Alva Harding, son of Luther and Hannah, was born February 18, 1850, and died March 23, 1938. They were interred at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City IA.

Edgar Harding, son of Luther and Hannah, was born July, 1862, and died at Wilton Junction, IA. Cora Jeanette (Herreman) Harding, Edgar's wife, was born October 19, 1864, and died at Clear Lake August 18, 1929. They were interred at Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014