Parker W. Harding
Note: In the following biography the original author consistently refers to Monona county, whereas the towns mentioned of Denison, Charter Oak and Dow City are located in Crawford county, Iowa.
For thirty-eight years Parker W. Harding has been a member of the Iowa bar and for more than a quarter of a century has practiced in Denison, where his thorough preparation of his cases and devotion to the interests entrusted to him have brought him a large clientele.
Mr. Harding was born at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada, on the 27th of October, 1863, and is the only child born to the union of Simeon and Margaret (McTuhae) Harding. His father was for many years a sea captain and master mariner but later in life retired and came to the United States, locating in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1918. The mother passed away one year later.
Having acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Nova Scotia, Parker W. Harding then attended the College of Arcadia, and later took up the study of law. In 1888 he went to Charter Oak, Iowa, where he completed his law studies and in 1890 was admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession at Charter Oak until 1900, when he came to Denison, Monona county, where he has continued in practice to the present time.
Well versed in the basic principles of jurisprudence, and keeping in close touch with precedents and the latest court decisions, he has won success in the practice and has gained a large and representative clientele. He is a member of the Monona County Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
In 1890 Mr. Harding was united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. Keran, daughter of Charles H. Keran, of Dow City, Iowa. Mrs. Harding studied law under her husband's direction, was admitted to the bar in 1892, and they now practice together in the state, federal and United States supreme courts. She is active in the club, civic and social life of Denison and is extremely popular among her associates.
Politically Mr. Harding is a stanch supporter of the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. He belongs to the Denison Chamber of Commerce and has ever stood ready to cooperate with his fellow citizens in all efforts to advance the prosperity or general welfare of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Harding have a beautiful home in Denison, where the genuine spirit of hospitality is always in evidence. Mr. Harding's favorite diversion is traveling, and he is also fond of golf as a means of recreation. Genial and friendly in his social relations, he has gained a wide acquaintance throughout Monona county and is universally regarded as one of its representative citizens, as well as leading lawyers.
Source: Northwestern Iowa Its History and Traditions 1804-1926 , Arthur Francis Allen, Supervising Editor, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company , Chicago, 1927
Biography courtesy of Debbie Gerisher of the Iowa History Project for IAGenWeb