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From: History of Vernon County, Missouri. 1887, p.
799.
GEORGE C. HARDY
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 16, Post-office,
Bronaugh).
George C. Hardy, an agriculturist both by nature and long
experience, was born in Mercer county, Pa., June 26, 1837,
the fifth of eight children who blessed the union of his
parents. His father was also a native of the Keystone State.
His mother, before her marriage Miss Olive Reid, came
originally from Massachusetts. Young George, as he grew up,
passed his time between working upon the home farm and
attending school. He was fortunate enough to secure a good,
practical education, and in subsequent years found this of
untold benefit to him in his intercourse with the world.
After remaining occupied in farming for some years, his
labors were interrupted by the noise of war, the cloud which
had been hanging over the country for so long finally having
burst in all its fury. In the time of trouble Mr. Hardy was
found ready and willing to do his duty as he saw it.
Enlisting in the 2d Ohio cavalry he served gallantly for
over three and a half years, then being mustered out, after
which be enlisted in the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry. Besides
the many skirmishes in which his command participated, he
was at the battles of Pea Ridge and Gettysburg. During his
services in the 2d Ohio, he was stationed for a time at Fort
Scott, and it was while a soldier at that point that he saw
and became so familiar with this portion of Vernon County.
The beauty of this section, its apparent fitness for a
farming community and the excellency of its climate formed
favorable impressions in his mind, and accordingly after the
close of the war he came at once to Vernon county, engaging
for a long time in school teaching. As an evidence of his
qualifications as a successful instructor, it is only
necessary to state that he taught 36 months at the Baker
Grove school house, south of Nevada, and 21 months at Avola;
and his experience in this profession in Pennsylvania and
Missouri covers a space of 39 terms. The farm which he now
owns embraces 120 acres and is in a high state of
cultivation. In the direction of fruit culture he has done
not a little, and success has attended his efforts here as
in the other branches to which he has given his attention.
In his farming operations he has built up an enviable
reputation — manifesting a decided progressive spirit
and a thorough acquaintance with the business in hand. This,
perhaps, has added considerable to his personal popularity,
for it is well known that he is highly thought of, both as a
neighbor and citizen in this community. In 1878 Mr. Hardy
was married to Miss Missouri Estes, of Caswell County, N.
C., the second of a family of five children, now living, of
Jonathan and Sarah Estes, both natives of North Carolina.
Her mother’s maiden name was Smith. In 1850 Mr. Estes
moved from his Southern home to Greene county, Mo., coming
thence to this county in 1855 and locating in Drywood
Township. During the war the family suffered cruel and
severe hardships, and without any cause were subject to
unreasonable persecution. Though naturally sympathizing with
the Southern cause, he was quiet and liberal towards those
who were not of his belief, by no means deserving the
indignities to which he was subjected. He died in 1879, his
wife having preceded him to the grave in 1876.
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