Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B.F. Bowen Surnames in this biography are: Harden, Jessup, Bales, Cook, Compton, Test, JOHN C. HARDEN. In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success, often times through unfavorable environment and in the face of apparently discouraging circumstances, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gains new strength through the discipline. Such a character is that possessed by the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this brief review. John C. Harden is a native of Guilford County, North Carolina born on the 23d of March, 1835. His boyhood days were spent upon a farm, and he early became inured to the arduous and ceaseless labor incident to an agricultural life. He had the misfortune, when but sixteen years old, to lose his mother by death, and at nineteen years of age he boldly struck out for himself. During the years of his boyhood his educational advantages had been very limited. In the fall of 1854, believing that his good fortune lay further west, he came to Indiana. He first assisted his father to move, and then secured employment with Jesse B. Jessup. That same fall he assisted in the building of the Union schoolhouse, the substantial character of the structure being attested by the fact that it is still in use, though now as a barn. For five years he was in the employ of various farmers, three years of this time being with John H. Bales, father of Oliver H. Bales. Upon his marriage, in 1859, he became possessed through his wife of a part of the Hiatt farm and then bought another interest in the same farm, thus giving him a holding of ninety-four acres. There was on it at that time but one small house and Mr. Harden was compelled to go in debt for a part of the purchase price. However, this has been his home ever since, and by indefatigable industry, sound judgment and wise economy he prospered so that he was at length enabled to increase his holdings to two hundred and fifty-four acres. This includes nearly all of the Hiatt farm and also two sets of farm buildings. The present residence of Mr. Harden was erected in 1873 and there is with it a good barn and other necessary outbuildings. Nearly all this land is rich and fertile bottomland, situated along the Blue River, and is particularly well adapted to the raising of corn. In addition to this fine property Mr. Harden owns three other valuable farms, one of one hundred acres, which he has owned for fifteen years, an eighty-acre tract adjoining the latter, and he also owns the old Cook farm of one hundred and seventeen acres in Greensboro Township. All three of these farms lie on the line between Wayne and Greensboro Townships, the last named tract having been entered about 1820 by Levi Cook, of South Carolina, who came here from Ohio for a permanent residence in 1.824 or 1825. It has been in the family ever since. Levi Cook also entered, in 1820, what has more recently been known as the Hiatt farm; this has also been kept in the family possession. Part of the residence now standing on the Cook farm was built by him sixty years ago. On the 3d of November, 1859, John C. Harden was united in marriage with Miss Ann Hiatt, the daughter of James and Betty ( Cook) Hiatt. James Hiatt was born in Ohio and his wife was a daughter of Levi Cook the pioneer mentioned above, and his wife, Betty, was still in girlhood when her parents came to the Hoosier state, and she and her husband settled on part of what is now the Harden property. James Hiatt died at the age of forty-one years, when the subject’s wife was but one year old. When the latter was eight years old her mother also passed away, leaving six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom Ann was the youngest. Their names were as follows: Job is an agriculturist at Bennett, Nebraska; Levi is a retired farmer at Tacoma, Washington; Seth is a farmer in Greensboro Township, Henry County, Indiana; Isaac is a miner at Baker City, Oregon, while the other sister, Abigail, died at the age of sixteen years. After the father’s death the mother had faithfully kept her family together, but upon her death they became scattered, Ann and her sister Abigail finding a home with their uncle, John Cook, who lived on the old Levi Cook homestead in Greensboro township. Abigail died there and Ann remained until her eighteenth year, then until her marriage lived with a cousin. Her marriage with John C. Harden was blessed by the birth of three sons, one of whom, William M., died in childhood. The others are Edwin, who married Nettie Compton, and owns part of the old Hiatt farm; he is the father of two children, Hazel and Hoyt; and Horace L., who lives on the old Levi Cook farm, married Emma Test and they have had five children, Margaret, James Alvin, John Frederick, Carol Ann and Russell, the last named dying in infancy. Politically Mr. Harden has given a life long allegiance to the Republican Party, having cast his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856. Mrs. Harden is a prohibitionist. Religiously Mrs. Harden is a birthright Quaker and Mr. Harden has since joined that society, of which they are still active and consistent members. While Mr. Harden has given considerable attention to the tilling of the soil, he has not confined his attention to that line alone, but also handles considerable live stock, principally cattle and hogs, and keeps some splendid draft horses. He is also a director in the Citizen’s Bank at Knightstown. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, deeply interested in the welfare of his community and all that contributes to its advancement. His business efforts have been crowned with a degree of success richly merited and because of his straightforward, honorable life he has won a high place in the regard of his associates. I typed this for those that are researching these surname. Sorry, but I don’t know any more about this family, or this biography. Typed by Lora Radiches.