Harding, F. W.

HARDING, BRANNON, DYE

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/24/2021 at 16:01:32

F. W. Harding, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 10, Oregon Township, where he owns 120 acres of fine land, which is well improved. He is one of ten children of Lewis G. and Mary (Brannon) Harding, who were natives of Ohio, the former being of Scotch-English and the latter of English descent. Of their children nine are yet living, three residing in this county. The family came to this county in 1861, where the parents died some years ago.

F.W. Harding was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1835. He was reared on a farm and has followed that occupation through life. He was married in Muskingum County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1857, to Harriet Dye, the daughter of William and Peggy Dye. She was born in Ohio in 1836. They have had eight children, seven now living – Alta, Elmer, John D., Laura, Emma, Edward and Mary. The deceased one was named Cora E. Of the living ones, Alta married James Dawson, by whom she has two children – Wood and Marion; Laura married Hugh Newell; they have two children - Lillie B. and an infant. Emma married Harry Caple, and has one child, Emma B. The others are all at home. Mrs. Harding’s parents were natives of Virginia, but of German descent; both died in Muskingum County, Ohio.

Mr. Harding commenced life with but little means but possessed with a will to do, and strong arms. He has toiled on, assisted by his good wife, until he is now the possessor of one of the best farms in Oregon Township. On the premises is a good dwelling-houses erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,000; a good barn and all necessary out-buildings. A look at the place will convince one that its owner knows how to run a farm. In addition to general farming he is engaged to a considerable extent in raising stock, which he himself ships to the Chicago market.

Politically Mr. Harding is a Republican, while he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While not so long a resident of Washington County as many others, he yet has resided here long enough to entitle him to membership in the Old Settlers Society, and in the meetings of the body takes considerable interest, and at the present time is one of the Executive Committee. Socially he is a member of the Odd Fellows, and as a citizen is respected by all.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of F. W. Hardin, pages 220-221.