William E. Harding, RR Engineer, 1900

William E. Harding

Utica Saturday Globe, June 1900

 

William E. Harding

1845 - 1912

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Everybody along the line of the Ontario & Western Railway knows "Bill" Haring, the oldest in term of service and one of the jolliest engineers on the road.  Mr. Harding completed 30 years in the employ of the company Monday and ever since has been growing fat on the congratulations and well wishes of his myriad of friends.  Only one other engineer on the road contends with Mr. Harding for first palce and that is "Ed" McNiff, of Middletown. They entered the employ of the company only four or five days apart.  Mr. McNiff having the start, but he has since been employed by another company for six months, while Mr. Harding has been with this road continuously since June 11, 1870.  For 19 years his run has been between Oneida and Norwich, first on an accommodation train and later on the milk, running daily between these points.  He has never had an accident of any account.

 

Mr. Harding is a native of England and was born in Somersetshire March 4, 1845.  At the age of 14 he came over to Canada, where he lived for about four years before he dropped down into New York State, and in August, 1863, began braking for the Rome & Watertown road.  Two years later he became a fireman on the Oswego & Rome road and at the end of three years went home to England for a twelvemonths' visit, returning in the spring of 1870, accompanied by his parents.  On June 11 he began firing an engine for the then New York & Oswego Midland, now the Ontario & Western.  On March 7 of the following year he was given charge of an engine. He had several years of interesting experience as an engineman on the old Auburn branch during its palmist days, when wood was used as fuel and locomotives were far from the perfect machines they are today.  His has been a remarkable record, but is nothing more than his faithful skill and jolly good nature deserves.

 

Mr. Harding is a member of the Oswego Division, No. 152, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  He is also a member of Oswego lodge, No. 127, F.& A.M., and a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar.  He is one of the most popular men anywhere on the line of the road.

 

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Funeral

Oswego Daily Times, September 11, 1912

 

The funeral of the late William E. Harding was held this afternoon at 3:30 from his late residence, the rev. George h. Young conducting the services. The bearers were from Oswego Lodge, No. 1278, F.&A.M. and from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of the O.&W. Interment was at Riverside cemetery.