THOMAS HARDEN

HARDEN

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 15:17:38

THOMAS HARDEN, a prosperous farmer of section 16, Prescott township, was born November 15, 1821. in Guernsey county, Ohio. His ancestors on his father’s side were from New Jersey and those on his mother’s from England. He obtained his education in the primitive log schoolhouse, Morrow county, Ohio, and at the age of twenty-four years left his parental home, and for twelve years cultivated a rented farm. In 1844 he married Miss Rice, a native of New York. He continued on the farm a short time after her death, and in 1875 located in Adams county, Iowa. In 1860 he was again married, this time to Miss Lockwood, of Vermont ancestry, and by this marriage there have been seven children, all of whom are living and have obtained a good education.

Mr. Harden is one of the oldest settlers in Adams county. At first his nearest post-office was St. Joseph, 113 miles distant. At the time he located near Quincy there were only seven settlers in the neighborhood, and the wolves were so plentiful and bold that they would sometimes, approach to the very door of his cabin. Of deer he has seen as many as twenty-four at one' time from his dwelling. Mrs. Harden, although having suffered much and long from pioneer privations, has a remarkably good memory. Her parents settled here about two years previous to Mr. Harden’s arrival, coming in 1855, by emigrant wagon, from Washington county, New York, and being six weeks on the journey. Her father died but a few years ago.

Mr. Harden’s home is about four miles from Corning, where he has by diligence, perseverance and economy accumulated an ample fortune, owning now over 500 acres of choice land. His beautiful barn is conspicuous for miles around. His three sons conduct the farm, and three of his children are married and reside elsewhere. In his political views Mr. Harden has been a life-long
Democrat.