History of Cottage Grove, (Lane County) Oregon United States of America

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Biographies:

Biography of Benjamin Franklin Harding

Benjamin Franklin Harding, senator, was born in Wyoming county, Pa., Jan. 4, 1823; son of Elisha and Amy (Jenkins) Harding. He attended the schools of his native county, came to the bar in 1847, the following year removed to Illinois, and in 1849 crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. In 1850 he was chosen a member of the legislative assembly of the territory of Oregon; and was again a member and also speaker of the house in 1852. In 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce U.S. district attorney for the territory and in 1854 was made its secretary, which office he held till Feb. 14, 1859, when Oregon was admitted as a state. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1859-62, being speaker the last two years. He was then elected as a Union or Douglas Democrat to the U.S. senate to complete the unexpired term of Edward D. Baker, who was killed at the battle of Ball's Bluff. He took his seat Dee. 1, 1862, during the third session of the 37th congress and served to March 3, 1865, when he returned to Oregon and engaged in the practice of law. He died at Cottage Grove, Oregon, June 16, 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor