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SZP-A-HSTS HALF JlL OEZLSTTTTIR/YMR. AND MRS. THOMAS HARDING.Yesterday was a happy day for Mr.and Mrs. T. D. Harding, two of LaPorte's wellknown residents. Just 50years ago they were united inmarriage by Rev. Caleb Davis, fatherof Hon. E. W. Davis. It has been 50years of happy married life and the celebration of the golden anniversary is a distinction enjoyed by but few.Thomas D. Harding was born May 22, 1832, on a farm near Gallon, Richmond county, Ohio. His parents, John and Alvira Harding, migrated to Indiana in 1834, locating in the summer thereof near Union Mills, this county. In 1849 the family moved to the Taylor farm, three miles north of LaPorte. The father of Mr. Harding died 15 years ago and the mother passed away about five years later. After receiving a common school education, Mr. Harding learned the carpenter trade, which occupation he followed for many years, becoming an expert cabinet maker. Soon after the civil war broke out he enlisted in Co. G, 87th Indiana infantry, and was in jthe service for nearly two years, be-! ing sent home on a sick leave before fthe war was over. For more than a (year after he returned to LaPorte he was unable to leave the house, the war having so undermined his system. He went through the battles of Perryville and Hoover's Gap and was in the skirmish at Tallehoma. He | was sent to the hospital the day before the battle of Chickamauga and so did not take part in that famous fight. A brother, S. E. Harding, who was in *the same company, was killed at ’ Chickamauga. Mr, Harding has al-; ways been an active Republican and!has filled several minor township ! offices. Two years ago he was the Republican candidate for justice of the peace in this township. He is a 'member of Patton post. No. 147, G. *A. R., and has filled the positions ofiQuartermaster 2 terms, sen. vice commander three terms and commander ' one term. At present Mr. Harding Is {a servant of Uncle Sam's, being roralroute carrier No. 6 out of the LaPorte i office. Mr. Harding is enjoying excellent health and in spite of his advanced years does not miss a day on bis route. He has three brothers and two sisters, Wm. N. Harding of Sweet Home, Ark., Lucius T. Harding of La Porte, Hugh Harding of Little Rock, Ark., Mrs. Sarah Stillson of Center township and Mrs. Mary Cross of Waterford.iMrs. Harding, previous to her marriage was Phoebe Cross, daughter of Tbeophilus and Betsy Cross and was born in Portage county, Ohio, March 6, 1836. When ten years old she was brought to LaPorte county by her parents.The marriage of Thomas D. Harding and Phoebe Cross took place May 25, 1854, at the bride’s home. Rev. Caleb Davis, who officiated, was the pastor of the Christian church. The house in which the ceremony occurred is now occupied by James Rambo and is on Mr. Harding's mail route. To this union 15 children were born, of whom ten are now living, they being: Oscar Harding of MichiganCity, Franklin Harding of Oswego, Kan., Lucius Harding of Michigan City, Thomas D. Harding, Jr., of La Porte, Mrs. Eva Payne of Westville, Mrs. Ada Lange of Galena township, Mrs. Emma Suit of Plymouth, Miss Elizabeth Harding of LaPorte, Mrs. Sylvia Hueklns of Door Village and Miss Winifred Harding of LaPorte. Mr. and Mrs. Harding also have 18 grandchildren living. Both are honored members of the First Baptist church. 'During the day Mr. and Mrs. Harding entertained all their relatives and a number of their old friends from out of town at a reunion. A sumptuous dinner was the feature of the event. The happy couple received a large number of handsome presents, indicative of the esteem in which they are held. Last evening they jwelcomed all their town friends,at an informal reception at their home on Ridge street.
Newspaper Details
La Porte Weekly Herald
La Porte, Indiana, US
Thu, May 26, 1904
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Sherri A.
IN, USA 20 Sep 2019
Other Publications Near La Porte, Indiana
La Porte Weekly Union
La Porte Weekly Herald
