Wm. H. Harding, hotel keeper,
was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., on the 12th day of
March, 1816, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Demory)
Harding, natives of Vermont. There was a family of eight
children. His father was a stone mason and contractor,
and was employed on Government works for a number of
years. The subject of this sketch was reared on his
father's farm and received a common-school education.
When twenty-one years of age he went to Clark County, O.,
where he was employed as a school teacher. In 1838 he
married Virginia Crowl. Their union was blessed with five
children. In 1842 he went to Crawford County, O., where
he embarked in the hotel business and remained a number
of years. In 1852 he came to McGregor, Ia., and the
following year engaged in the hotel business, being known
from Boston to the Rocky Mountains. In 1864 he went to
Chicago where he remained a short time, when he returned
to Clayton County and settled in Giard Township. Mrs.
Harding died March 15, 1876, and he again married, Julia
M. Church. Mr. Harding has been identified with the
county for many years and has seen its many changes. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 819-820 |