George Hardenbrook

HARDENBROOK, AXTELL, BUNDY

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/7/2009 at 14:13:24

GEORGE HARDENBROOK was born in Knox County, Ohio, December 4, 1842, and is the son of Ambrose and Hannah (Axtell) Hardenbrook. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother was of English descent, and both died when our subject was an infant. Ludwig Harden brook, the grandfather of George Harden brook, was one of the early settlers of Manhattan Island; he was of Hollandish descent, and served in the war of the Revolution. At the close of this war he was paid in a land warrant, which he located in western Pennsylvania; he lived upon this land for several years, and then removed to Jefferson County, Ohio. He served in the war of 1812, and soon after moved to Knox County, Ohio, residing there until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty nine years. George Hardenbrook went to live with an aunt after the death of his parents, and later made his home with a sister. At the age of fifteen years he started out to support himself, having received a common school education. Afterward he attended three terms of a graded school, at the same time working at the carpenter's trade. This avocation he followed until the breaking out of the late civil war, when he enlisted in the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, being one of the first to respond to the call for men to go to the defense of the nation's flag.He was sent into West Virginia under General McClelland's command. While in the service he was taken sick with the measles and thrown into the hospital. He was dismissed before he was cured, as the hospital was over crowded, and suffered a great deal of exposure, from which he was a long time in recovering. He was ordered to Columbus, Ohio, and was there mustered out of the service. In January, 1864, he enlisted as a mechanic in the quartermaster's department in the Army of the Cumberland. After one month's service he was promoted to the foremanship of this work. On his return to Monroe County, Ohio, he accepted the position of deputy sheriff, and held the place for three months, when he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and thence to Jasper County, Iowa, in which place he worked at the carpenter's trade for two seasons. Mr. Hardenbrook was married to Miss Rebecca J. Bundy, of Jasper County, who was a native of Highland County, Ohio, and a daughter of Caleb and Sophrona Bundy. After his marriage Mr. Hardenbrook embarked in the grocery business at Prairie City, Jasper County, Iowa, remaining there two years. He then removed to Kansas, thence to Nodaway County, Missouri, and thence to Mahaska County, Iowa, in which county, at Leighton, he opened a drug store. In a short time he removed this stock to Exira, Iowa, in September, 1872, being one of the first druggists in the place. In 1876 he was appointed postmaster under General Grant's administration, and held the position seven years, at the end of which time he resigned. He carries a full line of drugs and medicines and fancy goods. In 1880 he was elected a member of the school board, and continued in this position until 1888, when he resigned. He is a member of the O. P. Morton Post, No. 35, G. A. R, and of the A. O. U. W., of which he was first Master. He is a charter member of Exodus Lodge, No. 342,A. F. & A. M., of the chapter and commandery. Mr. and Mrs. Hardenbrook are the parents of five children Burton, Blanche, Lena, Edith and Ross. Caleb Bundy, father of Mrs. Hardenbrook, was one of those men whose life is a sweet memory to his friends. He was born of Quaker parents, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and was of the Quaker faith until his marriage, at which time he abandoned the society on account of having married outside its membership. He was one of the northern abolitionists who assisted the blacks in their flight to the north, and he lived to see that horrible institution wiped from this nation. After his marriage he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and was ordained as a minister. He preached in Illinois and Iowa, at the same time carrying on the blacksmith's trade. He took an active interest in the politics of the county, and was elected upon the Republican ticket to represent the county in the XIIIth Assembly, a position he filled with marked ability. In 1872 Mr. Bandy removed to Audubon County, Iowa, making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Hardenbrook at Exira, at which place he held the position of postmaster until his death, which occurred in March, 1876. He was a man who commanded the respect of all parties, and at his death was without an enemy. He devoted his leisure hours to looking after the poor, and in performing many acts of charity.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 759-760