HARDY, Mary (Hunter) 1823-1901

HARDY, HUNTER, YAGER, COLE, BECKER, WEBSTER

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 10/7/2011 at 15:20:07

Mary (Hunter) Hardy December 22, 1823—January 28, 1901

Tuesday, February 5, 1901, "Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer", Cresco, Howard County, Iowa

Mary Hunter was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, December 22, 1823. At the age of eighteen she came alone to America. She first made her home in the dominion of Canada. Three years later she moved to Warren, Trumble County, Ohio. Here she was made welcome in the home of Mr. Thomas Hardy's family whom she had known as friends in her native land.

December 31, 1847, she was united in marriage to William, a son of Thomas Hardy. During the year of 1853 they came west, first locating in Genoa, Ill. One year later they came to Chickasaw County, Iowa, and located on a farm.

Three years later they moved to Howard County, Iowa and again engaged in farming. After 30 years of pioneer work at that point, they retired and lived for four years in Florenceville, Iowa.

Eleven years since, they came to Riceville, Iowa, and have from that time found a pleasant home with their daughter Mrs. O.P. Yager (Margaret). Mrs. Hardy became the mother of nine children. Six of whom are living. They are Mrs. T.J. Cole (Eliza)of Dell Rapids, SD, T.J. and W.J. Hardy, Mrs. Joseph Becker (Josephine) and Mrs. J.C. Webster (Della), of Cresco, Iowa, and Mrs. O.P. Yager, of Riceville, Iowa.

Mrs. Hardy was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. At the age of twelve years she was confirmed a member of that denomination. As a member she brought each of her children to the altar of that church and dedicated them to the Lord in holy baptism. The closing years of her life were spent in the Methodist Episcopal church, because she was too remote from the church of her childhood.

The last few weeks of her life, were full of suffering and pain, which were borne with great fortitude, when we take into consideration the intensity of her suffering. The end came peacefully and suddenly a five minutes before seven on Monday morning, Jan. 28, 1901. Her earthly pilgrimage was measured by 77 years 1 month and 6 days. In conclusion I may say of this lady that as a citizen she passed through the hardships of pioneer life and helped to form society that will be a blessing to the coming generations. As a friend she was true and faithful. As a wife and mother, she was ever loving and self- sacrificing, and as a Christian she triumphed in death.

The funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2:30 P.m. at the late residence, by Rev. Trimble of the M.E. church. The body was taken to Florenceville for interment on Wednesday where lie the bodies of her mother and several of her children. -- Riceville Recorder