Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 342. CHARLES V. HARDING Among the hardy pioneers of the State of Oregon occurs the name of Charles V. Harding. This gentleman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 10, 1842, and was the son of D. R. Harding and Susan Kendall, natives of Maryland and Louisville, Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Harding, Sr., was a druggist of St. Louis, and later, in 1843, removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he died in 1870, his wife having died in 1857. Our subject left home at the age of fifteen years, and has been making his own way in the world ever since. He served an apprenticeship in a printing office for five years, and in 1862 came across the plains to Salt Lake City, where he engaged in stage driving for Ben Holladay several years, and many interesting stories he can tell of his adventures and perilous trips during his long service in that business. He drove the first stage across the mountains, locating a road from Salt Lake to Boise City, Idaho, and on the Dalles, Oregon, in 1864. In 1867 he came to La Grande, Oregon, remained three years, and then went back to Idaho and took charge of a station, but afterward he returned to Oregon and engaged in farming for some years and then sold his farm near La Grande, where he engaged in the butcher business, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Harding was married in 1871, to Miss Emma Palmer, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Oregon with her parents, in 1864, and settled in Grande Ronde valley. Mr. and Mrs. Harding have had seven children, namely: William D., Charles E., Frederick J:, Joseph P., Lucy H., Cora, and an infant. Mr. Harding has made his way up the ladder of fortune from the very bottom, at which he started when a boy of fifteen, and has been assisted by no one on his upward progress. He and his interesting family reside in a good residence, which is his property, and he is also the owner of a good business in La Grande. Mr. Harding is a member of I.O.O.F., and in political matters supports the platform compiled by the Democratic party. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.