Frank D. Harding, listed in the roster of Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry/Cavalry as being from Lakeland, Minnesota, enlisted on April 19, 1861, and was discharged on September 3, 1863, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Harding’s 1863 discharge paper notes that he was “25 years of age, five feet six inches high, light complexion, gray eyes, black hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a clerk.”
On August 29, 1863, Private Harding had received a commission as Captain of Company C of the 99th “Regiment of Infty. Corps d’Afrique Volunteers” [U.S. Colored Troops]. He was discharged from service on April 23, 1866, in Tallahassee, Florida.
Harding’s obituary appeared on the front page of the January 17, 1902, issue of The Hudson Star-Times. Unfortunately, some of the far left-hand column was covered by the preceding page when the newspaper was microfilmed; words that can’t be read are indicated by [?] in the following transcription.
CAPT. FRANK D. HARDING MUSTERED OUT
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Sturdy Hudson Pioneer Dies Suddenly–A whole City Mourns His Sad Departure.
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Old Friend’s Touching Tribute to his Memory
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Brave Soldier, a Devoted Husband, and a Worthy Citizen.
Seldom has this community been called to mourn the loss of so estimable a citizen as Capt. F. D. Harding, whose death [occurred?] so suddenly on Thursday last, the [9th].
Frank Dwight Harding was born June [?], 1837, at Brooklyn, Connecticut. He [came?] to Hudson, Wisconsin, in the spring [of?] 1855, where he was actively engaged [in?] the spring of 1861, when, on the first [call?] of President Lincoln, he at once [enlist]ed in Company G of the 4th Wisconsin regiment, and remained in the army [in?] active service until mustered out in [1865] as captain of the 99th colored infantry. He then returned to Hudson and [engaged?] in business in which he was very successful up to about four years since, [when?] he sold his business to his oldest [son].
[In?] December 1867, he was married to Addie L. Andrews, daughter of the late Ammah Andrews, one of Hudson’s [best?] and most respected citizens. It can not be otherwise than that Capt. Harding should be successful, as he was an excellent business man—prompt, en-[?] and reliable. He was Postmaster [of?] this city for eight years, being appointed [in?] 1879; a Director of the First National Bank, for the past twenty years, [has?] held many other positions of trust and responsibility, every one of which he discharged with ability and strict integrity.
Socially, he was most genial and kind. No one intimately acquainted with him failed to form for him an attachment as strong as it was enduring. He was one of the oldest members of our Masonic Lodge and a 32d degree Mason, and he was not only a Mason in fact, but a Mason in spirit and truth.
His many acts of generosity to the poor and his counsel and aid to those who came to him in trouble, rendered without stint, will never be known,—so quietly and unostentaciously [sic] were they performed. He was an exceedingly good husband and kind and indulgent father, yet exacting from his children their homage and respect.
His wife and five sons survive him. His sons are all actively engaged in life, except the youngest, still at school.
It is indeed not too much to say: We believe Capt. Harding never harbored ill will or evil to any one, but was always striving to do good to others as he had opportunity. His great heart responded to the best and noblest impulses of human nature—hence he was one to be loved and his memory to be revered by reason of his social, genial, kind, sympathetic and truly patriotic nature. H.
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Harding was afflicted with a tumer[sic]-growth or growths about the glands [in?] neck and throat, which threatened fatal results, which it was though [?] surgical attention might [?], at least for a few years to come. The afternoon of January 9, was ac[cordingly?] fixed upon for the ordeal. Doctors Rogers and Donovan of St. Paul, Doctors Johnson and Adams of this city and Dr. John Hardin, of Martell; a [?] the patient were in attendance and [?]red all the skill they could command. The operation seemed very successful and Harding rallied with satisfactory [?]tness and word was sent to the family [?] every indication was hopeful. So [?]tions continued until about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the nurse noticed [?]tling in the throat which caused [?]hension. He went at once to summon Doctor Adams, but on their prompt [?], alas, the worst had come, and the [?]ful man soon after breathed his last, the muscles of the throat utterly refusing [?]. News was at once given out to the city, and a pall of sadness was mani-[?] everywhere, as even the few friends who knew a dangerous operation was to be performed, had no idea that it would prove fatal.
The remains were taken from the hospital to the bereaved home in the evening; and arrangements were made for the funeral, which took place with masonic honors at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, and the service of the Episcopal church. Masons and Grand Army men marched to the cemetary [sic] in a body. Lodges from all the surrounding towns were represented, and many citizens turned out to pay their last respects to this worthy citizen and neighbor. The widow and five sons, Eddy, Frank, John, Harry and Fred survive.
The First National Bank people placed a beautiful floral wreath upon the casket and passed suitable resolutions in memory of their esteemed director.
Other floral offerings were numerous and appropriate, from friends and civic societies.
The honorary pall bearers were Capt. M. Herrick, Judge H. L. Humphrey, A. E. Jefferson, Wm. Whewell, D. Jones and J. G. Thompson. The active pall bearers were Messrs. E. E. Gatchell, Max Goldberg, Clyde Campbell, David Hanna, Geo. R. Hosford and W. A. Egloff.
At the grave the Masonic ritual was given, led by W. B. Andrews acting as Master.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 