Abner C. Harding

Abner Clark Harding (February 10, 1807 – July 19, 1874) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois and a Brigadier General in the U.S. army fighting for the North in the Civil War.

Abner C. Harding
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869
Preceded byCharles M. Harris
Succeeded byJohn B. Hawley
Personal details
Born(1807-02-10)February 10, 1807
East Hampton, Connecticut
DiedJuly 19, 1874(1874-07-19) (aged 67)
Monmouth, Illinois
Resting placeMonmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1862–1863
Rank Brigadier General
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Abner C. Harding was born in East Hampton, Connecticut on February 10, 1807.[1] He attended Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, where he studied law.[2] He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Oneida County, New York, about 1827. In 1838, he moved to Monmouth, Illinois, and continued practicing law. He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1848, and was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives the same year, serving until 1850.[1]

During the American Civil War, Harding enlisted as a private in the Union Army in the 83rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Later he was commissioned as a colonel, and was promoted to brigadier general in March 1863. He distinguished himself when the Union army defeated the Confederates in the Battle of Dover (1863).[3][4] His 800 troops held off 2500 Confederates[3][4] and resulted in the Union controlling Middle Tennessee. He was forced to resign due to deteriorating eyesight a few months later.

From 1865 to 1869, Harding served as a Republican member of Congress. During the 39th Congress, he served as Chairman of the Committee on the Militia. However, he was not a candidate for reelection in 1868 after serving in the 40th Congress, and later engaged in banking and railroad building. He was a founder and trustee of Monmouth College.[5] He died in Monmouth, Illinois on July 19, 1874, and was interred in Monmouth Cemetery.[6]

See also

References
  1. Moses, John, ed. (1896). Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of the Representative Men of the United States: Illinois Volume. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 278–279. Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  2. "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  3. "Battle Detail – The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. "Search For Battles - The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  5. "INDEX", Burlington West, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, England: Harvard University Press, 1941, doi:10.4159/harvard.9780674183360.c29, ISBN 9780674183360, retrieved January 30, 2023
  6. "Gen. A. C. Harding". Chicago Tribune. July 21, 1874. p. 3. Retrieved December 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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