James C. Harden was the son of Thomas Harden, Sr., and Mary A. Malone. His father was born February 27, 1807, in what is now Martinsburg, Berkeley county, West Virginia, and his mother was born in Monongalia county, November 11, 1813. They made their home in Harrison county in 1853. James C. served in the 12th West Virginia Infantry, Company G and was taken prisoner two months after his enlistment. John W. Harden, brother of James, served in the 3d West Virginia Infantry.

(Source: Biographical sketch of Thomas W. Harden, Jr., brother of James C. - H. H. Hardesty's History of Harrison County.)