Hardin, Timothy died 1885

HARDIN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 16:25:46

Elkader Register, 03 June 1885.

From a McGregor News Extra, we learn that Timothy Hardin, who had been a resident of McGregor for many years died very suddenly on Saturday morning last, of apoplexy. He was a native of Ireland, and was 40 years of age. During the late rebellion he served in the Union Army, and at the time of his death was a member of Hervey Dix Post G.A.R. He was buried on Monday.

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Added by S. Ferrall 7/4/2022:

Comrade Timothy Hardin - Mustered Our to Join the Grand Army on the Other Shore

There is a tinge of sadness in the fact that we chronicle the fist break in the column of Hervey Dix Post, No. 371, G.A.R. At next roll call there is one less to answer; one name against which will be written: "mustered out," or "Transferred to the Grand Army on the Other Shore."

A strong, sturdy, healthy, hard working member went down on the morning of Decoration Day. The summons came at an hour when least expected, at a moment when life's battle seemed only fairly begun; when the coming of the day gave promise of a pleasant duty to be performed at the graves of those who had gone down before.

A week at hard labor; an evening in pleasant anticipation of the morrow; retiring full of life's energy and hopefulness and 'ere the midnight chimes are rung awakes to the reality that the hand of death is upon him, and when the second bell is sounded life's flickering lamp goes out and all that is mortal of the brave soldier boy lays wrapped in death.

Indeed, we know not the day, the hour, or the moment when the messenger shall come and bid us march to the camp ground, where the "sentinel of song" shall stand guard to our form, while the chief of the armies causes to be sounded the "long roll," in obedience to which we are welcomed to a reunion with the braves with whom it was our want to mingle here on earth.

Timothy Hardin was born in Ireland; his age as given to the writer in Novemeber last was 37 years. With his parents he came to this country at an early age, and has followed the avocation of a laborer from his youth up.

A strong well knit frame, excellent muscular power, coupled with an iron-clad constitution, he seemed fit for the toughest labor, and rather enjoyed the "hard pulls" that occasionally came to his lot in the stone quary or in pitching dirt. Deprived of early advantages, his education was sadly neglected, and he came into manhood with little or no knowledge of the books, or even the first rudiments of a primitive education.

But what he lacked in this respect he made up in many other respects. He was naturally of a pleasing disposition, hence enjoyed a range of friendship that was characterized by a perfect trust in one with the other. He had his faults, severe ones they may have been, but in death they pass into oblivion.

He enlisted in Co. K, 31st Wisconsin Volunteer infantry August 25th, 1862, and served until June 25th, 1865. His military career was a satisfactory one; a good, obedient private, his service was characterized by faithful duty, by an honest work; a prisoner in Andersonville for a few weeks gave him an insight into the manners and customs of that horrid place.

His loyalty was unbounded, he loved the soldier boys; fairly worshiped them who had seen service, and when it came to doing for the needy he was always found a willing contributor, and when he could not give money his hands were at all times outstretched for manual labor in their behalf. He loved to do for the boys in blue.

Since the organization of our fire department he has been an active member, and we think we are only giving justice where justice is due, in stating that he was one of the best fireman in the place, one who risked his life in perilous places; who went into the very jaws of the elements to conquer, a worker that did valuable service on all such unfortunate occasions. He was foreman of the Hook and Ladder company at the time of his death.

For several weeks past he has been employed by Mrs. Davis, four miles out on the Giard road, in laying a stone wall. Friday evening he retired with a co-laborer, and long in the night heavy groaning was heard by the family, and the boys were called on to know what the matter was. His companion endeavored to arouse him, thinking that he had a touch of the nightmare, but could do nothing with him. A light was obtained and a messenger immediately dispatched for Dr. Clark, but before his arrival poor Tim had resigned to the higher power.

Undoubtedly it was a stroke of apoplexy, brought on, possibly, by undue exertion. He was a healthy character; did not know the meaning of sickness; his experiences was of that character which undoubtedly gave the constitution the most severe tests, and, naturally, for one of his temperament, he was often careless in the attention due the body after a hard day's work, and these little attentions possibly brought about his sudden and unexpected death.

The funeral occurred on Sunday, at 3 p.m., from the home of his widowed mother, the largest funeral cortege witnessed in McGregor for some years. The grand army post and the fire department were out in full force; also the Cadets, twenty strong, and our citizens generally. An imposing, sad procession that followed the hero to his last resting place, an honor deservedly bestowed for the good deeds he had done in his short eventful life. The funeral rites of the grand army were observed, a short address from Capt. Patrick, the solemn benediction from the chaplain, and the clods of earth were piled upon the encased casket that contained the mortal remains of the departed hero.

HIs aged mother mourns for her "Teddy" as only a mother can; far in the advance of years she has layed at rest the husband and two children, now patiently and meekly awaits the coming of the command when she shall lay down to rest by their sides. In her sorrowful waiting may the God of Heaven be her shield and her protector, guiding her safely through the most pleasant paths of the down grade of life, and finally give her peace in the bosom of Him who holds all that she loves most.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, June 4, 1885; pg 3