The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-11-14
OBITUARY.

Capt. William Harding was born
at Waltham, England, May II. 1926
He was "A son of Henry and Elnora
Harding. He had no brothers but
an only sister When n young man
he emigrated to this country and
his subsequent career as citizen
and soldier prove conclusively that
he was strongly attached TO the land
OF his adoption. December 20, 1851
he united in marriage with Esther
Grath of Maiden Greek, Berks Co.,
who survives him together with his
son Henry of Fremont, Elnora, in
termarried with Henry II. Reichen-
bach of Meiserville, and Alise NJ. in
termarried with Adam S. Heiser,
who reside at Magadore, Ohio. AZ
ter his marriage he lived in Berks
Co., until 1855, when he moved to
Perry township, Snyder Co., and in
1855 he moved to Fremont where he
lived to the time of his death. Hon.
j. B. Packer when in Congress Sc
cured for him n position in the Pub
lie Library at Washington ID. c.,
which he held four years. During
that time he had access to the Bo-
tanical Garden located at Washing
ton, where he cultivated his taste in
Botany, and became quite proficient
in this study. The rare and beauti-
full plants that adorned his yard at
his home i'll Fremont were very at
tractive. He could readily give all
the difficult scientific names of these
plants, and would become enthusi-
astic in speaking of his botanical
collections when visited by his mum
erous friends Every year he would
send choice boquette to his init
mate friend and lamented Mai Dill
of Freebpi. 9ea AZ noted for his
patriotism. ana enlis ~ ~ she Mex
leap VAR, but only reacfs5 Sert
Brown, Texas, when the war ended.
For three years he served faithfully
in the war of the Rebellion and was
n member of Gen. Crawford's staff,
and participated in many hard fought
battles. He served rs Justice of the
Peace of Perry twp, for n period of
twenty years, and resigned this office
II short time before his death. He
was well versed in the law pertain
ing to Justices Court, and had an
extensive business for country
Justice He was considered safe
counsellor, and served rs executor,
administrator, assignee and guar
dian i'll n number of estates. As II
legal advisor he had the full conf
dence of the people in his locality.
He was influential as local politi-
clan and his assistance was sought
by those of his party who were aspi-
rants to Office. He also held the
office OF storekeeper and gaugerthree
and one-half years. He was also
noted for his sociability and strong
attachment to his friends, and he
was ready conversationalist. He
taught the public school at Fremont
in 1857 & '5S, and two terms at diff
ferent places in Perry twp. He was
a successful teacher and had taste
for drawing, which he taught in
school. He was also a good mathe-
matician and strict disciplinarian.
In the Spring of 1883 he started for
his native country England, and Wis
tied the scenes of his childhood. He
found his aged mother still alive,
and on his return he took great
pleasure in showing her picture and
other pictures of scenes in his ma
tive country. He came back broken
down in health and his disease grad
ually growing worse, but was care
fully and tenderly nursed by his de-
voted wife, and received the kind
attention of his son Henry and
daughter Elnora during his illness.
He died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1889, at /
a. m, aged Ga years, 8 months and
20 days. Monday, Nov. IL, his re-
mains were taken to Allentown,
Pa, where they were inferred the
following day. The G.. A. r. of
which he was a member, participated
in the funeral ex ercises.