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Mary E. Harding was born near Mt. Pulaski, Logan county Illinois, October 16, 1847.

She was the youngest of the eight children born to Rev. and Mrs. Richard Winans Clarks, and for eighteen years has been the only surviving member of that family. Three of these children died in infancy and Rev. Clark, who was a Methodist minister, died when the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age; the mother surviving him about thirteen years. In early girlhood Mrs. Harding joined the Methodist church, and has lived consistent with that faith all her life.

On March 31, 1866, she was united in marriage with Benjamin Harding, also of Logan county, Illinois, with whom she lived in the home of her childhood for 28 years. In this home all of the children of this union were born, and all of these, together with her husband, survive her. They are, Florence May, who has always lived with her parents; Mrs. Eliza Downing, of Mt. Pulaski, Ill.; C. E. Harding of Sac City, Iowa; and D. E. and L. B. Harding, of Rockwell City, Iowa.

In the spring of 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Harding and four children moved to Calhoun county, Iowa, and settled on a farm four miles south of Rockwell City, where they have lived ever since. Mrs. Harding had not been in good health for the past two years following a severe illness with pneumonia; her last illness was of little more than a week, and she passed peacefully away on Monday, November 30, 1914. No community has ever had a better example of the true wife and mother than that of Mrs. Harding, and to her was given the reward of seeing children of sterling worth grown to maturity.

She also looked with pride and love upon eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Ever a loyal friend and neighbor she possessed the respect and friendship of all who knew her. The sympathy of the entire neighborhood is extended to the family in their bereavement.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church in Rockwell City, Iowa, at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 2d, conducted by the pastor of the church. Burial in Rose Hill cemetery, Rockwell City.

Mrs. Eliza Downing departed from Mt. Pulaski Wednesday of last week for Rockwell City to make an extended visit with her parents, and did not know of her mother's serious condition at the time.

Mary Ellen Clark Harding was the great great grandmother of the submitter.

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