by Benjamin Katz ’20, News Editor
On Sept. 6, Life Trustee David Harden ’48 passed away just shy of his 91st birthday following a short illness. Harden worked his entire life at the Harden Furniture Company, which is his family’s business and was located only 30 miles from Hamilton in McConnellsville, NY. The firm might be best known on the Hill for crafting the canes given to graduating seniors.
Harden was born to Harry Harden and Glady Links Harden on Sept. 12, 1927. He graduated from Hamilton with a degree in economics and history and worked his way up through the Harden corporate hierarchy, beginning as a salesman after his graduation from the College.
Following his father’s passing in 1950, Harden took on increasing responsibility at the company, becoming its treasurer when he was just 23 years-old while his uncle, Charles Harden, served as president. Harden
continued rising through the ranks, becoming sales manager in addition to treasurer, and eventually serving as Harden Furniture’s president and chairman of the board for three decades.
Harden served on multiple boards of business associations throughout his distinguished career. He was elected president of the National Association of Furniture Manufactures and served on the boards of Oneida Ltd., the Utica Mutual Insurance Company, Merchants Bank and Camden Wire. In 1991, Harden received the Corning Award for Excellence from The Business Council of New York State, which is their most prestigious award.
Harden had a long and extensive relationship with Hamilton. He was elected to serve on the Board of Trustee as an Alumni Trustee in 1977. He became a Charter Trustee in 1981 and a Life Trustee in 1995. In 1955, Harden wed Ann Miller of New York City and they remained happily married until her death in 1991. Following her death, Harden established the Ann Miller Harden Prize Scholarship, which is awarded to exceptional painters, and recognizes his deceased wife as a talented artist. The painting studio in the Kennedy Center is dedicated in Ann’s memory.
David also served on the board of other Upstate New York organizations. He was a lifelong golfer and belonged to the McConnellsville Golf Club, the Hyannisport Club, the Onondaga Golf and Country Club, and the Lost Tree Club. Harden also served as a former president of the New York State Golf Association.
A memorial service is being held for Harden this Saturday, Sept. 15th at 4 PM at the McConnellsville Community Church on Mina Street in McConnellsville. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the McConnellsville Community Church.
At Hamilton, Harden will be remembered for his life’s devotion to the institutions that were important to him seen best through his advocacy, philanthropy, and community engagement.
