Organizer and founder of the Harding Glass Co. in Fort Smith in 1917, Charles Harding first established glass manufacturing plants in Bradford, Pennsylvania and Clarksville, West Virginia. He was president of the Harding Glass Co. at the time of his death on Oct. 4, 1935 at the age of 73. The Long-Bell Lumber Co. of Kansas City made window sashes and doors in Fort Smith in conjunction with Harding Glass.

Active in political, civic and commercial affairs of Fort Smith, Harding even ran for lieutenant governor as a Republican in 1928. He also chaired the Sebastian County Republican Central Committee and a member of the State Republican Committee.

Harding was a director of City National Bank for several years and was president of the Citizen's Gas Co. as well as the Citizens' Pipeline Co.

Born in Liberty, Pennsylvania on Feb. 13, 1862, he began his career as a window glass maker as a young man. Harding also was:

• The husband of Kathryn Clark Harding;
• A member of the Lions Club;
• A member of the Business Man's Club;
• Buried in Forest Park Cemetery.

Source: "Death Claims Harding After Long Illness," Southwest Times Record, Sunday, Oct. 6, 1935. This date is approximate. The source is an undated clip in a scrapbook in the archives of the Fort Smith Historical Society.