IAGenWeb Project - Clayton co.


Wm. H. Harding
Giard Twp.

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
transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney

 

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