Benjamin G. Harding, farmer at Crescent City, was born in Green County, Kentucky, December 20, 1820, son of Payne and Matilda (Reed) Harding, natives of that state but of Virginia ancestry, and farmers. The parents moved from Kentucky to Hendricks County, Indiana, where they remained fourteen years, clearing two farms. The mother dying there, the father moved to Linn County, Iowa, bought a farm on Cedar River and commenced improving it; and, in December 1859, married Mary REYNOLDS. Several years afterward, he disposed of that property and purchased a farm in Decatur County, this state, and moved upon it, but shortly left that and settled in Chariton County, Missouri, where his second wife died. After residing there ten years, he sold and came to live with his son, our present subject, and died March 22, 1883, at the age of eighty-three years. He had eight children, namely: Sarah and Elizabeth, deceased; Benjamin G., the third born; Emily, wife of James KIRK of Missouri; Rowanna, deceased; Mary Ann, now the wife of George DAUGHERTY of Iowa; and Martha and Samuel, also both deceased.

Benjamin, brought up to farm life, left home at the age of 20 years and began life for himself by raising livestock extensively and successfully. In five years, he sold out and moved to Decatur County, Iowa, and bought 90 acres of unimproved land, lived upon it four years and was married there. He then located in Crescent City and engaged in farming and buying cattle, and turning them to sell to emigrants. This he followed for nine years and then bought forty acres of partly improved land on section 13, and this he has made a comfortable home. He erected a frame house twenty-eight feet square and one and a half stories high, the usual farm buildings, and planted a fine grove and orchard, etc., and the premises denote thrift and prosperity. He has added to his farm until he now has 210 acres of fine land, of which 100 acres are in cultivation. Fifty acres are in Hazel Dell Township. He has experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life, commencing with nothing, but has faced them bravely and won success.

Politically, he is a stanch Democrat and takes great interest in the public affairs of the town and county. He has held various township offices; is a lover of law and order; a member of the M. P. Society of Crescent City, of which he is usually the spokesman, being deeply interested in the work. He and his wife are members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, of which is an ordained elder; and he has officiated as pastor of the Crescent City and other congregations of this faith in the vicinity for twenty years. He is a representative citizen and farmer of this county and has many friends.

February 19, 1857, he married Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Elsa and Mary (HALL) HASKINS, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, who in 1838 moved to Missouri and afterward came to Crescent City, where they both died, he at the age of 77 years and she at 78, spending her last days at the residence of Mr. Harding. Mr. and Mrs. Harding's children are ten in number, namely: Samuel P., at Crescent City; Oliver, in Crescent Township; Emma, wife of Charles SAPWORTH of Hazel Dell Township; Olive May and Jason, at home; George Jackson of Council Bluffs; Don Carlos, Pearl, Charles, and Mary, all at home. There are also two grandchildren whom they are bringing up, named Myrtle M. and William B.

Contributed By: Mona Sarratt-Knight