James E. Harder
Nov. 20, 1844-Oct. 6, 1929
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Monday, October 7, 1929, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
JAMES E. HARDER, 85, FORMER ALDERMAN, SUPERVISOR IS DEAD
Prominent Niles and Cass County Civil War Veteran Passes Away
James E. Harder, 85, died last evening at 8:30 in Toledo, Ohio, where he had been since last May after having spent last winter in Pawating hospital.
Mr. Harder, a veteran of the civil war and a resident of Niles for many years, had an eventful and interesting life. Born in Kinderhook, N.Y., on Nov. 20, 1844 he spent his boyhood days there or until his father, William N. Harder moved to Michigan in 1858 and settled upon a farm of 200 acres about three miles east of Niles in Howard township. This farm he cleared and improved and occupied until his death in 1865. When the civil war broke out James E. Harder, the youngest of the family was lift in sole charge of the farm when his two brothers enlisted with the 12th and 17th Michigan regiment respectively at the end of three years of service, one re-enlisted and the other returned to the farm to permit his brother, James to join the colors. Mr. Harder enlisted in Company C., 15th Michigan infantry as a private with which he served until mustered out after the cessation of hostilities at Little Rock, Ark., in August 1865. The regiment was attached to Sherman's army but entering the service during the later part of the war did not see much duty on the active field of battle.
Mr. Harder's education was started in the public schools of New York and was continued in Michigan, and he completed a course in Kalamazoo college. He taught in the public schools in Cass county for several years. Later he came to Niles and engaged in conduct of merchantile enterprizes, handling agricultural implements, coal, wood and other commodities under the firm name of Harder and Haynes. About seven years later he went on the road as a traveling salesman, representing a carriage and buggy house.
Mr. Harder served the city of Niles as a member of the Berrien county board of supervisors and as a member of the city council. Until his health failed he was active in the work of the Presbyterian church, and was dean of session having been an elder for more than 50 years.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, October 8, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
News in Brief: FUNERAL JAMES E. HARDER
The body of James E. Harder will be brought to Niles this afternoon from Toledo, Ohio where he died on Sunday and will be taken to the . .[illegible] ..it may be viewed by friends after 7 o'clock this evening. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the Presbyterian church. The rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the church , will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. The committal services will be in charge of St. Joseph Lodge No. 4, F & A.M.
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI), Tuesday, October 8, 1929, page 4, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
News in Brief: FUNERAL JAMES E. HARDER
The body of James E. Harder will be brought to Niles this afternoon from Toledo, Ohio where died on Sunday and will be taken to the . .[Illegible]. It may be viewed by friends after 7 o'clock this evening. The Funereal services will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock in the Presbyterian church. The Rev. G. W. Simon, pastor of the church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. The committal services will be in charge of the St. Joseph Lodge, No. 4, F. and A. M.