Family background
John Harden was born c1832 at Swanage, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, the son of George Harden and Ann Tomes. He married Ann Phillips Collins (1831-1914) at Swanage, Dorset, England on 2 June 1852, and they had five sons and four daughters. Harden and his wife and first born son immigrated to Australia on the ship ‘Kate’ which arrived at Sydney on 21 November 1854. Harden died at Alexandria on 25 January 1907, aged 74 years; he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery in the Independent section. He left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £179. John Harden lived on Botany Road, Alexandria.
Occupation & interests
John Harden was a Freemason and a member of the Lodge Court Progress ORF No 506.
Local government service
John Harden was an alderman on the Alexandria Council for two terms representing the East Ward: 1882-84 and 1886-1904. He served as mayor twice: 1893 and 1897.
References
Municipal Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 1882, p. 3, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13504652