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- "DEATH OF W. W. HARDING
The Well-Known Publisher Succumbs to an Attack of Pneumonia
William W. Harding, for many years proprietor and editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer, died at 6 o'clock yesterday morning, at the family residence, 804 Pine street. For some months Mr. Harding had been in failing health and on that account, in March last, he was obliged to relinquish the active management of the paper and its ownership was transferred to a stock company, with James Elverson as president. Hiss illness did not become alarming to his family until within the last four weeks, when he was attacked with pneumonia and the disease hastened his death.
Mr. Harding was a son of the late Jesper Harding. He was born in this city November 1, 1830, and after receiving a careful scholastic education had his first business training in the book publishing house of Appleton & Co. He became associated with his father, the founder and proprietor of the Pennsylvania Inquirer, in the publication of that journal in 1849. The firm of Jesper Harding & Son continued until 1859, when William W. Harding assumed sole control of the paper, Jesper Harding retiring. The history of THE INQUIRER is largely the life of W. W. Harding. In April 1860, he changed its shape from the large folio sheet to the quarto form and the name to that of THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, by which title it has ever since been known. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion THE INQUIRER assumed a leading position in the journalistic world, its special war correspondence and Congressional news being widely read and attracting much attention on account of the exclusive information gathered. As an earnest supporter of the government the paper was almost looked upon as officially voicing the sentiments of the national administration. During his long business career, Mr. Harding was thrown into contact with the leading men of the city and country. The announcement of his death was a surprise to many of his business and personal friends. Although aware of his failing health, they were not prepared for the serious turn in his illness. He leaves a widow and six children. Two brothers, George Harding and J. Morris Harding survive him. His twin brother, Barclay Harding, who founded the Evening Telegraph, died on October 30, 1865."
The Philadelphia Inquirer. 16 May 1889
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1830 - 1889 (58 years)
