TxLa John Maurice Harding

These are grouped by family for ease of reading.

John M. HARDING Family

1950's

John M HARDING Father	Living HARDING Son
Living MILLS HARDING Mother	Living HARDING MOORE Daughter

John M. HARDING photo 1940's Father	Living MILLS HARDING Mother
Living HARDING My Father :) Son	Living HARDING Moore Photo date 1951 - 12 yrs old Daughter

Living Harding Family

Son
Living Harding
My Father :)

Mary Frances Buchanan Harding
photo date 1954 Sr in High School
SeeEhis class ring around her neck? :)
b. 24 Dec 1935 d. 9 Oct 2002
My Momma
Dad & I miss her Greatly!

Daughter:

Cathy (Me)
1960

Both Children:

Mary Frances Buchanan Harding, Cathy (me), & John Charles Harding (my brother)
1956-1978
Photo Taken in 1959
daughter & son

Living Moore Family
3 Children all Living, will post photo's when they are available.

Living Moore
Stationed at Ft Bliss, TX 1953-56 with the 3rd Guided Missile Group
Son-in-law to John M. Harding

Living Harding Moore
Daughter to John M. Harding

1980's
John M. Harding (subject of this page) & Living Mills Harding
Living Mills is now 84 and still with us! ;) Yeahhhhhh Nan!
My Grandparents

aka Dad - eventhough he's my grandpa :)
When you see the word Dad, I am referring to John M. my grandfather.

John Maurice Harding b. 25 Jan 1911 Cedar Hill, Robertson County, TN d. 1990 NM, son of
Samuel Vorhees Harding b. 2 June 1885 Keysburg, Logan County, KY d. Dec 1956 TX, son of
John Henry Harding b. 1 Sept 1847 Indiana d. 1930 Cedar Hill, TN-who was first a County Judge then a magistrate for over 50 years in the Logan Co, KY-Robertson Co, TN area who was a son of
Carpenter Harding b abt. 1816 OH d May 5, 1884 (Maybe was a Colonel of a regiment in the Mexican war) and served with the 22nd Indiana Volunteers in Civil War & 13th Indiana Volunteers Light Infantry Battallion. He was a son of
Stephen Harding from the lineage of John Harding who immigrated from England. Stephen information and backwards was obtained from the "Hardings in America" book by Wilbur Harding, who was also a descendant of John from England. (see Harding for more on that lineage)

Dad lived what I would call an exciting life. He was born in Cedar Hill, TN on the 25 Jan 1911. His parents eventually moved to Missouri. They had a farm for a while. Dad attended school, but as it was in those days work was important, too. He caught the "rambling fever" early in life, setting out as a young boy in the early 1920's riding the rails and ended up on his Uncle John's ranch in Del Rio, TX. He evetually moved back to Missouri where he met my Grandma.

My Grandfather - John Maurice HARDING is the one who started me on this Genealogical Quest. He had a very strong desire for me to know "his people" & share what information I could find in the future with our wee ones whom I like to call the "little people". He knew he was getting older, and although he was a mere 69 yrs young at this point, he had led a very interesting, yet hard life.

He was born an only child on Jan 25, 1911 to Samuel Vorhees Harding and Brewer Elizabeth Porter dau of Marcus Lafayette Porter and Harriett "Puss" Porthena Sprouse. Sam was born in Keysburg, Logan County, Kentucky on 2 June 1885. Sam's father, John Henry Harding, Squire was a JP (Justice of the Peace) for both Logan County, KY & Robertson County, TN. The John Henry Harding family moved to Cedar Hill, Tennessee between July 1887 to Feburary 1890. The children of John Henry Harding, esq. were born in Keysburg and Cedar Hill townships. Fannie, whom I believe was most likely named Frances after Ida's mother Frances P. {GATEWOOD] GRIMES wife of James L. GRIMES, was the first child born to John & Ida Harding and died before the age of 10. I am trying to locate her grave now. I believe it is most likely in the Keysburg area of Kentucky, in the Harding Cemetery.

After the Harding family moved to Cedar Hill, TN, Samuel, being the 3rd child born to the couple, met Brewer Elizabeth Porter and they married. The Samuel Harding family apparently stayed in the Cedar Hill area for some time, eventually moved to Holland and Sikeston areas in Missouri. Sam had a farm and Brewer Elizabeth taught school to the farmers children in the Holland Missouri area. more to come on this subject.

My notes and where my Genealogy search and need to know came from;
Place & Setting: 1980 Thanksgiving Day in New Mexico at my Aunt, his Daughter- Living Harding Moore's house- Family Get Together for the Holidays.

Dad and I would often sit on my Aunts front porch in a swing and talk for hours. My father built porch swings for my Grandparents and my Aunt & Uncle Moore. As Dad and I visited we never encountered the uncomfortable "quiet time" that comes in some people's conversation, you know the hesitation of what should be said or discussed next. I've always known how very fortunate I was to have him as my Grandpa. I love him and still miss him as does all of the family.

Since Dad and I sat together on this this lazy 1980 Thanksgiving afternoon, we had all finished our meals, thoroughly stuffed and we were relaxing smoking cigarettes and talking. We were away from the hustle and bustle of the other family members in the house and often found our solace having time to just sit and reminscence. Dad had always been a big part of my life, and he always called me "Honey" followed by a sweet gentle laugh or his special giggle. I can still hear it now eventhough he's been gone for over a decade. I also wish to state how thankful I am to my parents for allowing me the time to get to know my Grandparents. Along with my Aunt & Uncle who shared their lives with me and my deceased brother. All of their love and wisdom has guided me through my days and many, many travels.

Dad and I realized that since I had gotten married earlier that year, it very well could be my last Thanksgiving with the family since my husband was military. I was moving to Alabama in December so we weren't sure how often or when we would have "our time to talk."

As we sat talking and rocking, the events of his life began to unfold before my very ears. Included in these facts were the dates, places and names of people from his side of the family. I asked him to stop for a moment while I ran in the house retrieving a small notebook. Then his story began. He told me of his travels building buildings, schools, roads, and so forth all over the United States. I will add that information soon. (I have to find my old notes)

He had left home at a the very young age of 14, leaving the family home which was located in Missouri. He worked odd jobs for food and pay as he traveled the rails. (Hopped on the Railroad cars) This all took place abt 1925. Dad eventually ended up at his Uncle John Henry Harding's (This is the 5th child of John Henry Harding & Ida Grimes) who left TN in the early 1900's and had a ranch in Del Rio, Texas. (Note --Uncle--John Henry Harding Jr born 1890 Cedar Hill, TN d. TX) Whereas Granddaddy is John Henry Harding b Sept 1, 1847 Jefferson County, Indiana.

Dad shared stories of his days working on Uncle John's ranch and how much he had enjoyed it. Nan (Living [MILLS] HARDING) his wife, my Grandma, even states now that she remembers his memories as very Happy Ones. He showed such enthusiam and joy when speaking of it that his beautiful blue eyes would light up when recalled those days. He was happy but not very content since he had strong bonds to his mother. By the end of the summer, he grew as a man, gaining height and stamana and decided it was time to make his way back to Missouri. He lived many places throughout his life, but he always told me that Tennessee was his Home!

Another reason for returning to Missouri was that he HAD to meet my Grandmother! <g> Notes from my Grandmother about John M. One of his outstanding accomplishments was when he was the was the Business Agent for the SW District of Texas, which covered the area from El Paso, TX to Del Rio, TX, for the Heavy Equipment Operators Union once they moved to TX in the late 40's. Being a "Top Blade Operator", he once won a trip to Hawaii, but chose not to take the trip. He was also called a "Blade Hand". Nan (my Grandma) said that he could walk over, look at field and tell how much yardage was in the field and how long it would take him to level it. This was quite a feat in those days. He was known for his "Eye Leveling" talents.

His absolute passion in life was Fishing! Dad took me out fishing when I was a little girl and I remember the days, and although I was a mere 4 years old and older, he never complained when I needed help. I remember those days rather well. My 2nd husband, Roger and I fish often, it's our passion as well. One time when John (my deceased brother) and I were visiting Nan and Dad the rodeo was in town. Well, John and I just went nuts, we wanted the cowboy hats, the boots, guns with holsters, etc. I followed John where toys were concerned most of the time, I had just as many Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars as he did! :) (Ok, ok, I was a Tomboy) Nan and Dad took us out shopping and grant it they weren't rich by any means, but they always spoiled us and treated us both as if we were made of "gold". Nan often told us, you're as good as Gold to me! :) hehehe If I can get a copy of that one photo of John and I in our Cowboy duds I'll include a link in this area. Mom and Dad have one and I believe that Nan has one as well. I was probably 3 so that would have been 1961.

Thanks Auntie & Nan! :) They found the photo! lol

More on John M. Harding continued below

I will find my old notes and continue his story at a later date.
I hope you have enjoyed it up to now. :)

In the last month plus I've met a cousin, Jo, dau of Joe Davis Harding and Lillie Lemmons who is telling me all about our family, and John Henry Harding b 1847! A Robertson County Genealogical Researcher named Mark Lowe found her. He told me that he knew both "Granddaddy" (JHH) and Joe Davis Harding who was a Constable for over 60 years there in Cedar Hill, TN. I could never thank Mark enough for the wonderful gift that he has shared with me, my Family, my Legacy!

Jo is currently sharing information about "Granddaddy" (John Henry Harding) with me and I'll devote a web page solely to him and his accomplishments as time allows. I'd like to be able to tell all I can about each person so that our "wee ones" know about their ancestors. Apparently my grandfather, John M, took after his Grandfather John Henry in his even temperedness and kindness toward others. And the Love of his Grandchildren.

adding bits on:

Dad's was the funniest man, with the best sense of humor. He often times just tickled us all in what he'd say. Here is one example, I'll try to find them or get family to share them with me and add them in here:

She couldn't help being ugly, but she could've stayed home til after dark.

After he married my Grandmother, both families moved to Decatur, IL where Brewer, his mother, ran a boarding house, some notes mention that above. I'm not sure of the migration pattern or in sequencial order, yet. ;) But I will list some of the jobs that he held here. He was very versatile individual. He was one of those individuals that was able to do anything that he put his mind to. Dad and Uncle Geroge (maybe Carmody) worked at the Armour meat packing plant in Detroit, Michigan. It is rumored that Dad could pick up a side of beef in one swoop without breaking a sweat. I remember his arms being Huge when he picked me up. For some reason, I had a facination with hair on the men's arms and would often pull it as they held me. Although I was only 2, I do remember that for some odd reason. lol ;)

He worked at the Ford Bomber plant, building planes "Guppies" as I recall the plane being called, in Yipsilanti, Michigan, during WW2. I have a photograph that I will scan soon and include in here. He is standing with 2 or 3 other men in front of one of the "Guppies". He gave me that photograph back in the late 70's.
Note on Yipsilanti: My father said that he personally loved Michigan on Fri and Sat night being able to listen to the wompa and polka bands. My father is, among other things, well known as an accomplished musician, who per his request will remain Unamed :)

The John M. Harding family owned a house in Gillespie, IL. In 1944-45 Dad drove out to Taos, NM since he had a job out there. He called Nan and my father who was 9 or 10 and told them to sell the house and his truck. My father took care of all of the sales and the paperwork, then Dad drove back to IL picked them up and off they moved to Taos. The kids attended school there. My father got a dog that was half coyote half dog. The dog would disappear for days at a time. John, Dad, had finished that job and the family was moving again, this time to another job in Espinola, NM. Well, as you can imagine the dog was gone when it was time to leave. After 3 weeks in their new house, Coyote -that's the dogs name- came walking/limping up in the yard, his feet were bleeding and ears bleeding from being out, traveling and most likely fighting. He made that long journey and Found my Father in their New home. My Father says that it was the most amazing thing that he had ever seen.

My father stats that now they attended school in Espinola, NM then in Los Alamos, NM next. See below. He attended school at Riverside school. He had to walk across the Rio Grande River and walk across cotton fields to get to school. My Father said he hated playing the violin. He asked me if I've ever tried to loose a piano?...he lost 3 violins before they let him quit. <g> He would stick them in the bushes and walk away. Dad said, "Since you aren't going to quit loosing them, you don't have to play it" (smart huh?) He found a note on the fiddle, played the note -B flat- and Coyote would howl, Dad (John M.) would said "Boy, can't you find something on that fiddle that the dog don't know?" My father wanted a guitar, after he bought a bike and had a paper route, he saved his money and bought his first guitar. He said he ordered it through Sears Roebuck and it cost $12.00, had a kapo and a photo of Gene Autrey on front of the instruction book. Dad got his musical talent from the GRIMES's. Auntie -Living HARDING MOORE- plays the piano beautifully. So the Grimes talents in the family lineage continues.

Totavi
Click for Larger view of Trailer Park in 1946
Supplied by Gordon Scott, photo taken by Cad Scott both of NM.

In 1946 the Harding family moved to Totavi, NM and met the Scott family and an instant friendship was born. The men were working there at Los Alamos, NM, and there was a shortage of housing. So the government built this tralier court for all of the construction workers to live in and called it "Totavi". Los Alamos is high in the mountains of New Mexico. It's a Beatufiul Area, we almsot moved there in 1974 when my Father worked there for a year at the Nuclear Power Plant, Dad commuted. Back to Totavi, since this was as close as they could get the workers to the job site and there was no housing anywhere, everyone lived in travel trailers.

When any of them traveled to town, they had to carry their security badges or passes on them at all times. They were followed by the Secret Service Personnel and were watched as they shopped for things in town. My Father and Aunt attended school at the camp for a while. Later they rode a school bus to town. One day the bus driver passed out at the wheel, followed by all of the kids on the bus. My father was the only one still awake. He saw what was happening and jumped to the front of the bus, pushed the driver aside and applied the brakes, steering the bus to a safe stop. Next he drug each person off of the bus into the fresh air. Apparently they were all suffering from Affixiation. My Father was Is A Hero! yea!!! Nan said she went to school and complained that he was not recognized for his heroism. They explained that they couldn't release the story since they had top Security Officials children that atteneded school there. It would put them all in jeopardy should any names be released to the Newspaper. So she had to accept that explanation.

To be continued.

Next reference I have is them living in TX.