To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 5/1/12 • Approved: 5/1/12 • Last Updated: 3/19/21 • R685122-G685121-S3
Stephen
December 31, 1851 - January 16, 1928
*Obituary May 31, 1928 page 13 col 4 and page 14 col 1
STEPHEN BENJAMIN HARDING
On December 30, 1851, there was born to William Brice Harding, a son whom they called
Stephen Benjamin. Before the child had grown to the age of reason, his parents migrated
to Arkansas and settled in Bradley County. Under the guidance of his God-fearing
Christian parents, the boy grew to manhood owing allegiance only to the country in which he preferred to remain as a man. Bradley County may well mark the passing of a man who chose to stay in the vicinity into which he came at a tender age, in which he spent all
of his life, in which he retained all of his business interests and in which he died. Stephen Benjamin Harding was not yet ten years old when the guns resounded at Fort
Sumpter and the long trying period of the Civil War with the blighting effects it had
on those who held allegiance to the flag of a nation that fell deprived the young boy
of the advantages of education that shold be the right of every youth. On January 1,
1879, he married Miss Josie St. John of Bradley County, Arkansas, who survives him and
is a resident of Warren. It was not until after his marriage that it was possible for him to complete his education, but spurred on by ambition and true worthiness, he prepared
himself for a business career. In 1900, he established himself in the city of Warren and
engaged with his brother, Richard in the hardware business. For 14 years his efforts in business were pre-eminently successful. It is seldom given to any of us to live so long and to very few are afforded the opportunity of Christian sacrifice which 13 years of illness made necessary on the part of the deceased. During all those long years he was never known to complain, finding comfort in the words of the Good Book and taking them from the inspiration which made his fortitude possible. On January 16, 1928, his suffering was called to an end and there passed from the earth a steadfast and true
Christian southern gentleman.
Contributed on 5/1/12 by ashaw444
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 685122