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- ARA HARDY was born in the town of Sempronius, Cayuga Co.,
- N.Y., June 18, 1806. He moved with his father, while a boy
to the town of Scott, Cortland Co., N.Y., his father having sold
his farm in Sempronius and bought a farm and mill in Scott. He
worked there at farming and milling until he was twenty-seven
years old. Meantime, June 18, 1828, on his twenty-second birthday,
he had married Miss Electa M., daughter of Zerah and Roxey HULL,
of Cortland County, and now, wishing to build a home of his own,
he removed to Seneca County, Ohio, bought a small farm in the
wilderness, cleared it up, stayed five years and then returned
to Cortland County.
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- In the fall of 1839, in company with Zera HULL, his father-in-law,
Mr. HARDY came to
- Wisconsin, making the trip from Buffalo to Milwaukee by boat
across the lakes, in search of a Western home. He located 160
acres of land near Milwaukee and another claim of ninety-three
acres, which with the exception of thirteen acres extending into
Walworth County, was in Rock County. Not returning East with
Mr. HULL before the close of navigation, he made the journey
of more than 1,000 miles back on foot in midwinter, traveling
about forty miles a day. In May, 1840, he returned to Wisconsin
with his family, again making the journey by way of the lakes,
and settled in the town of Lima, in which most of his land lay.
By industry and economy he increased his financial resources,
and was enabled to add to his possessions until he had at length
owned 533 acres, the greater part of which was fine timber land.
On arriving in the county he erected a house of the most primitive
kind as a temporary shelter for his family, while a more substantial
residence was being built. It was made by driving heavy posts
into the earth, to which slabs were nailed, thus forming the
sides, while the same rude material was used in the construction
of the roof. Under that primitive roof-tree the family resided
until Christmas Day, 1840, when they moved into their new residence,
which had just been completed. His family comfortably settled,
Mr. HARDY then began the improvement of one of the best farms
to be found in the county, and the success to which he attained
was such as always crowns the efforts of a persevering, energetic,
enterprising and capable man who determines to reach a desired
end, and with that fixed purpose in view pushes steadily forward.
- In whatever community he lived Mr. HARDY was numbered among
its prominent and influential
- citizens. While a resident of New York he was captain, commanding
a company in the State Militia, and after coming to Wisconsin
was ever found in the foremost ranks in all public enterprises.
He was cordial and genial in manner, yet very unassuming, was
kind and sympathetic in disposition, and was a man of the strictest
integrity and sterling worth. He was intelligent, a good conversationalist
and an entertaining companion; his circle of acquaintance was
extensive, and when once he secured any man's friendship he ever
afterward retained it. His home was the abode of hospitality
and good cheer, the latch string was always out, and the visitor
was sure of a cheery greeting. Ever ready to help his friends
and assist the needy, he was often too generous for his own interests,
and in more than one instance he deprived himself of what many
would call the necessities of life, to assist others. He found
true happiness in making others happy, and his moments of despondency
were cheered by his noble efforts to brighten the lives of those
weaker or less fortunately situated. So conscientious was he
that his word was as good as his note, which was always at par,
and his acts clearly demonstrated that he wanted nothing that
could not be obtained honestly.
- In politics Mr. HARDY was a stanch Republican. He was elected
and served as Justice of the
- Peace, about 1858. During the war of the Rebellion, being
too advanced in years to the enter service, he was ever ready
and willing to assist with his ample means, and contributed generously
whenever requested. Being energetic in his early life he feared
no hardships, and traveled to some extent. In 1847 he bought
a team of horses, harness and wagon in Cortland County, N.Y.,
and drove home to Rock County in midwinter. Although plain in
dress and appearance he was zealous for the public good and assisted
in building churches and supporting them and other public institutions,
and showed by his every-day demeanor that he lived for others
as well as for himself. He was for years a member of the Methodist
Church. Those best acquainted with him know his true worth, and
all who knew him could but respect him. He died Dec. 6, 1888,
as he had lived, a believer in Christ and in the full hope of
the rewards of a life that he had lived for others rather than
for himself, leaving the world better because he had been a part
of it. His wife survives him, aged seventy-eight years. They
have now living a son, Zera (see sketch),
and a daughter, Roxey, wife of James WOODBURY, of Eau Claire
County, Wis. They had another daughter named Louisa. See portrait.
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-
- [Transcriber's note: Yes, Mr. HULL's first name is spelled
"Zerah" in the first paragraph and "Zera"
in the second paragraph.]
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 785-786; lithograph from
page unknown.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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