Harder, Florence M. (Cleland)

Mrs. James E. (Florence M. Cleland) Harder
January 19, 1848-October 31, 1918

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, October 31, 1918, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library


    Another highly respected pioneer resident has crossed the darkling river. This morning, Mrs. James E. Harder passed peacefully away at the family residence, 703 South Fourth street, after an illness of several months, aged 70 years.
    Flora M. Cleland was born in Bertrand township Jan. 19, 1848, her father's farm having been a part of the old Indian reservation.  As a young child she came to Niles with her parents, Andrew J. and Mary  Barron Cleland, and most of her unmarried life was spent in the family home on North Fourth street now owned and occupied by Dr. Ostrander.
    Her father and her grandfather, Martin Cleland, were pioneer manufacturers of Niles and were identified with much of the early development of the town. On Sept. 12, 1876, Miss Cleland was united in marriage with James E. Harder, and except for a few years spent on a nearby farm, she had lived for 38 years under the noble elms on South Fourth street, planted by her grandfather over 60 years ago.
    Through her life she had been a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, of which her father, grandfather and husband were officers.  Identified with all of its societies and activities until the recent years, her death will be deeply felt by a wide circle of friends.
    Mrs. Harder graduated from the Niles high school in 1866, in the fourth class graduated after the organization of the high school.  Soon after she entered Mt. Holyoke seminary at Kalamazoo, and after her graduation there, accepted a place on the faculty of the seminary.  She was eminently successful as a teacher and later was called to the Niles high school by Professor Thomas, then superintendent.  She taught on the high school faculty from 1870 to 1876, carrying through to graduation the class of 1876, a class not again equaled in size until 1903, which which included Congressman Hamilton, Honorable Dennis E. Alward of Lansing, George M. Gilllette, Zimri L. Cooper, Charles E. Smith, E.C. Griffin and others who later took a prominent part in business and politics.
    Ill health had removed her of recent years from social activities and her later life was devoted to her home and the church.  Her spirit of cheerfulness and courage, and her deep-rooted Christian principles, as they were brought out in the closing months of her life, bore an impress upon her close friends and her family that time cannot eradicate.
    Mrs. Harder was a member of the Ladies' Reading club and the Eastern Star.  Her eldest child, Ralph Walton, died at the age of 3 years.  She is survived by her husband, her children, Mary Florence of Niles, James Harold of Toledo, Worth Cleland of North Liberty, Ind., and William N. of Marion, O.; and by a sister, Mrs. Frederick H. Bacon of St. Louis; and two brothers, A. Vincent Cleland of Minneapolis and Herbert W. Cleland of St. Louis.
    The funeral will take place from the home at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Niles Daily Sun, Saturday, November 2, 1918, page 4, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

    Funeral services for Mrs. James E. Harder were held this afternoon from the residence on South Fourth street, Rev. E.G. Lewis officiating.  Mrs. R.K. Schell and Karl W. Knorr of Mishawaka sang "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and "Abide With Me." The body was borne to its last resting place in Silver Brook cemetery by W.M. Burns, C.E. White, A. J. Millman, George L. Faurote, Frederick Powell and W.F. Harrah.  Many beautiful floral pieces covered the casket.