Background
Harding was born in Palmyra (town), New York on February 28, 1808, the eldest son of David and Abigail Harding.
Harding was born in Palmyra (town), New York on February 28, 1808, the eldest son of David and Abigail Harding.
He studied law in the office of William R. Morris in Brookville, Indiana and became licensed to practice law on March 17, 1828.
Harding was an ardent abolitionist. In 1820 he moved with his family to Ripley County, Indiana. He then opened a law office in Richmond, Indiana which remained open for six months when he opened one in Versailles, Indiana.
The couple had ten children.
He stood unsuccessfully as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Indiana in 1842 and for Governor of Indiana in 1846. He was appointed Governor of Utah Territory by Abraham Lincoln in 1862.
Soon after he took office he issued a blanket pardon for all Morrisites convicted in connection with the Morrisite War. This resulted in a successful petition for his removal from office.
He was then appointed as United States. consul at Valparaíso, Chile.
He decided instead, for domestic reasons, to serve as Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. In 1865 he was removed from office for alleged incompetence and immorality. He died on February 12, 1891 in Milan, Ripley County, Indiana and was buried in the Greendale Cemetery, Greendale, Indiana. log home.