Wilbur O. Harden, the son of Clarence O. and Emma Edwards Harden, was born in Titus, Elmore County, Alabama, September 24, 1916. Growing up in Elmore County, Brother Harden acquired his early education in the Titus Elementary and- Junior High Schools. Upon completing Junior High School, he attended Wetumpka High School, where he graduated in May 1934. He went on to study for two years at Auburn University and, also, attended Massey Business College in Montgomery. Brother Harden entered professional baseball, playing in the Minor Leagues for part of two years, 1938-1939, and was employed as a salesman for three years with Armour Packing Company and Cudahy Packing Company, of Montgomery, before enlisting in the U. S. Army Air Corps where he served from October 1942 until February 1946.

Receiving his discharge from the Army Air Corps, he went into the building material and contracting business in Opelika, Alabama, in 1946. Two years later, in September of 1948, he returned to Elmore County to operate a general merchandising business at Wallsboro, Alabama, until 1958. In June of 1952, he went to work for Alabama Power Company, where he was employed in the Security Department of Jordan Dam, on the Coosa River. He retired September 30, 1976.

Brother Harden married Miss Doris Garrett, of Selma, Alabama, August 24, 1940. They have one daughter, Mrs. Gary (Joy) Strong and two granddaughters, Emily and Wendy Strong.

Brother Harden’s years of dedicated Masonic Service were launched when his petition was accepted and Wetumpka Lodge No. 39 initiated him an Entered Apprentice, January 25, 1949.  He was Passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft, February 8, 1949 and, on February 19, 1949, he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. He served the stations and offices of the Lodge and was installed Worshipful Master in 1957. He served as Worshipful Master again in 1964 and in 1968 and assisted in the formation of the Past Masters Club of Wetumpka Lodge.  He also contributed to the creation of the Elmore County Masonic Association and its annual Masonic Day Observance. He was made a Life Member of Wetumpka Lodge January 17, 1975.

He received his first Grand Lodge appointment in 1964, when Most Worshipful Grand Master William Wallace, Jr. selected him to fulfill the duties of Lecturer of District Twenty. He very capably served as Lecturer until, in 1970, he was chosen to be the member of the Committee on Work from Group Four. He served on the Committee on Work until he was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1974. In 1975, he was elevated to the office of Deputy Grand Master.

Brother Harden is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Montgomery; the York Rite Bodies of Montgomery and St. Asaph Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, in Montgomery. He is a member of Bandar Grotto, Montgomery, which he served as Monarch in 1968. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served Fort Toulouse Chapter No. 448 of Wetumpka, as Worthy Patron in 1967 and again in 1968. He is Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma near the Grand Lodge of Alabama.

Brother Harden and Doris, reside on the shores of Lake Jordan, Titus, Alabama. He is a member of the Titus Methodist Church