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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin Counties", published by Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1904.
HANS HARDER is to be classed
as one of the leading stockmen of central Washington and the success he
has won in this industry shows the determination and wisdom manifested
in its prosecution and which certainly entitles him to the position he
now occupies and the competence which is his to enjoy.
Hans Harder was born in Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany, on May 28, 1861, the son of John and Kate (Rathman) Harder, also
natives of the Fatherland. They were blessed with nine children,
named as follows, Claus, Kate, Henry, John, Christena, Max, Hans, Jacob,
and Annie. Hans was favored with good schooling until sixteen and
then was apprenticed to learn the miller's trade. For three years
he diligently followed that craft and became very proficient in it.
Then came three years of service in the Germany army, and in 1883, we find
young Harder setting his face for the new world. He located first
in Nebraska but in a short time came thence to Washington. He selected
Franklin county as his place of operation and with a capital of four thousand
dollars began the stock business. His headquarters were on the Snake
river, four miles south from Washtucna lake and his efforts, put forth
with wisdom and thrift, were crowned with success from the beginning.
As land was so plenty and it was open to all, no one thought of taking
it in those good old days. Later, however, as the country began to
settle up, each one of the early stockmen began to secure land for their
use. Mr. Harder leased eight sections from the railroad company in
1894 and soon thereafter bought school land. In 1899, he purchased
fifteen sections of land where he now lives, two miles east from Kahlotus.
This land is utilized in handling his herds and today he has about five
hundred cattle and three thousand sheep. He has abundance of water
and a goodly portion of his estate is irrigated.
In May, 1893, Mr. Harder married Miss Dora,
daughter of Harm Schlomer, a native of Germany. Mrs. Harder is one
of a family of six children, named as follows, Detlef, John, Dora, Pete,
Hiecke, and Herman. To Mr. and Mrs. Harder, four children have been
born, John, Harry, George, and Katie M. In political matters, Mr.
Harder is allied with the Republican party and is actively interested in
the campaigns. He has always given of his time and means to assist
in forwarding educational interests and is a member of the school board
at this time.
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