My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD HARDY, who at the time of his decease was one of the substantial farmers of Johnson County, owned a good estate in township 47, range 25. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in August, 1839, and was the son of Ambrose and Mary (McNully) Hardy, also natives of the same county. There the father carried on farm pursuits all his life, and died in 1888, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was deprived of the companionship of his wife several years before.

The original of this sketch was one in a family of ten children born to his parents, two of whom died in infancy. William is also deceased, departing this life in Chicago, Ill.; Ambrose still resides in the Emerald Isle; Nancy is deceased; Catherine is living in her native land; Maria is deceased; Bridget lives in Ireland; James married a Miss Duncan, and both died in Vermilion County, Ill.; and Alexander makes his home in Ireland. In the year 1857 our subject embarked on a vessel bound for the United States, where he had two brothers living. After a very tedious voyage he was landed in New York Harbor, whence he made his way to Cincinnati, Ohio. He remained in that city for some time and later journeyed to Danville, Ill., where his brother James was living. He had learned the stonemason’s trade from his father, and for one year followed this industry in the Prairie State. He then went to St. Louis and obtained employment on a gravel train on the Missouri Pacific Railway, running from Mound City to Jefferson City. His next occupation was that of making brick in Lexington, Mo., working for a gentleman by the name of Allen. After being one year in his employ he came to this county, and was immediately given work in the yards of Mr. Outerberry, with whom he remained for one year. At Lexington, while in the employ of the latter gentleman, he was married, July 8, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Caulfield, a native of the same county in Ireland in which he was born. Her birth occurred May 4, 1843, and her parents were Barnett and Mary (Moran) Caulfield, also born in County Antrim. Mr. Caulfield was a farmer, and in 1857 came to America with his family, landing in New Orleans. After a stay there of eight days, he sailed up the Father of Waters to St. Louis, whence he made his way to Lafayette County, Mo., where his sister was living. He rented a farm in that locality, and died two years later, in August, 1859. His widow resided on this estate for a few years, when she went to Pike County, Ill., and there made her home for the following four years. Being dissatisfied there, she returned to this state, and lived with her children in Johnson County until her decease, which occurred in June, 1877. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom only three are living at the present time. Nancy, the eldest of the household, died in Ireland; Felix is living in Decatur County, Tenn.; Sarah married Thomas Caulfield, who is now engaged in farming in Lafayette County, Mo.; Edward departed this life in America, when thirty years of age; James is also deceased; Mrs. Hardy was the next in order of birth; Ellen married John Sullivan, and since the death of her husband has continued to live at their home in Montana. The remaining five children all died in infancy.

Immediately after their marriage our subject and his wife came to Johnson County, where they became the owners of forty acres of land now included in their present farm. It was at that time covered with a dense growth of timber, and in order to clear it and prepare the soil for cultivation much hard work was necessary. This Mr. Hardy did himself, and, after getting it under thorough tillage, purchased sixty acres more, on which he also made good improvements before his decease.

In August, 1864, Mr. Hardy enlisted in the Union service, entering the militia under Captain Fulks. During the eight months in which his services were needed, the company was engaged in scouting most of the time, although they participated in several hard-fought battles. They were disbanded at the end of that time, when our subject returned to his farm. His death occurred November 23, 1888. He was a very prominent and influential resident of the county, widely and favorably known by its best people. Mrs. Hardy continued to make her home in the old dwelling on the farm until it was destroyed by fire, when she caused to be erected the present substantial structure which adorns the place. She is a devout member of the Catholic Church, to which faith her husband also adhered. He was a Republican in politics, and was often urged to become a candidate for offices of trust and honor, but as many times refused to do so, preferring to devote his time and attention to his own interests.

Our subject and his wife never had any children, but Mrs. Hardy now has living with her a nephew, James Ambrose Hardy, who was born in Danville, Ill., April 29, 1863, and whom she treats as a son. He lived with his father until eleven years of age, when he came to make his home with our subject. He was married, January 26, 1892, to Miss Annie McGrath, who was born in Knobnoster, and is a daughter of Jack McGrath. Prior to her union with James Hardy, she taught school for seven years. This young gentleman was candidate for the office of Assessor in 1892, but was defeated by a small majority. He is a very intelligent and enterprising farmer, and is looking after the estate of Mrs. Hardy.