A recent discovery in my family's historic documents is approximately 100 pages of long-hand script set down on 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 paper collected in a battered Warwick Stationery box. What at first glance seemed to be a collection of humorous anecdotes turned out to be the hand-written autobiography of Michigan Baptist Pastor Brent Harding (1843-1912). Born in Chesham, England, Harding was orphaned at eleven-years-old. At times suicidal, Harding was able to turn his life around, start a family, join the Royal English navy, nearly circumnavigate the globe, and eventually find his way to Bay City, Michigan in 1873 during its lumber production heyday living in a section of the city dubbed, "Hell's Half Mile" due to its collection of numerous saloons and prostitutes. At the end of his life Harding would eventually be the pastor in Breckenridge, Michigan. By good fortune the autobiography is set down on copies of a form letter dated 1905, supplying an approximate date of its creation. Until the full autobiography is properly transcribed with notation, I offer the first story regarding his work in the temperance movement. ________________________________ I was once attending a large gathering of temperance people in the city of Jackson, Michigan. A special committee was appointed consisting of Jessie M. Miller of Bay City and C.L. Mason of East Saginaw and Mrs. Judge Fuller of Coldwater to go visit the state prison and see as far as possible how many prisoners had been brought through the use of strong drink. They examined the record [and] received permission of the warden to talk with the prisoners. Several had been interviewed and selected the reason of being in the prison when a large, powerful man was brought before them. The usual question was asked, “What brought you to prison?” The reply came readily, “Well gentlemen it took the sheriff and half a dozen constables to bring me to prison.” The committee smiled and then said, “Well, John. That is not what we want to know. Did strong drink have anything to do with it?” “Why yes. Sure. It had all to do with it.” “How was that were you an habitual drunkard?” “No. Oh, no sir. I never drank a drop of liquor in my life.” “Well, then. How did strong drink have anything to do with your being here?” “Well gentlemen it this way. You see, I was perfectly innocent of the crime laid to my charge but unfortunately the judge and the jury were all drunk. They made a bad mistake, committed me, an innocent man to prison and here I am.” My friend Jessie M[ilton] Miller a few years later was burned to death in that awful fire that engulfed over seven acres of land and buildings in one half day in the south end of Bay City. He was 84 years old when he was cremated alive.[1] NOTES [1] Bay City, Michigan website indicates, “The worst fire in Bay City took place on July 25, 1892 in the south end. Nearly everything from Jennison Street to the river between 32nd and 38th was burned to the ground.” Find A Grave index lists, Jesse Milton Miller, birthdate 1815, and death date July 25, 1892 in Bay City, Michigan.
2 Comments
Brenda n
1/2/2022 08:30:27 pm
How is he related to president harding
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John A Stempien
1/2/2022 08:54:05 pm
Hi Brenda N. There may be a deeper connection since both families originated from England but there isn't any direct connection between them.
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John A. StempienJohn A. Stempien maintains the blog and website, Family Munro and is the co-editor of The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion. He lives in west Michigan with his family. Archives
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