Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 218
DR. J. HARDMAN, a leading dentist of the State of Iowa, and a prominent resident of Muscatine, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, on the 16th of July, 1824. The founder of the Hardman family was probably one of the Goths who dwelt in Central Europe, near the Rhine, but in the family record an account is given of an alliance with one of the fair daughters of the Emerald Isle. The Doctor's father was a native of Maryland, and died at the age of seventy-nine years, and his mother, who was born in Pennsylvania, died at the ripe old age of ninety-two. Of their family of eleven children, our subject was tenth in order of birth. He received his primary education in the district school during the winter months, while the summer months were spent assisting his father in the labors of the farm. This course was supplimented by an attendance at Cottage Hill Seminary at Ellsworth, Ohio, which he entered at the age of fifteen, and after a few terms he was sufficiently qualified to become a teacher in the public schools. He followed that profession for some time, alternating it with other work during the summer, until the spring of 1847, when, having decided to study medicine, he entered the office of Dr. J. W. Parker, of Columbiana, Ohio. He afterward attended a course of medical lectures at Cleveland in the winter of 1849-50, and in April of the latter year began the practice of his profession at Elkton, Ohio. The long rides which he was forced to take, and his frequent exposure to the chilling night air, aggravated an asthmatic trouble to which he was subject, so he formed a partnership with an experienced dentist, thus paving the way to changing his profession to dentistry. In the fall of 1852 he removed to Canton, Ohio, and in May, 1855, emigrated to the West, locating in Muscatine, where he purchased the business and office of Dr. Hurd. Since that time he has been one of the prominent factors of Muscatine, having rapidly attained to an enviable and well-deserved place among the dentists of the State. With his professional skill he combines that sympathy and delicacy for the most unbearable of human ills, which win all hearts, and to these admirable qualities, as much as to the thorough understanding of the system of dental surgery, he owes largely to his entensive practice.

In the month of July, 1863, a meeting was held at the office of Dr. Hardman, and there the State Dental Society was organized, since which time he has filled all of its various offices. In recognition of his services to the profession, the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, of Cincinnati, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He is the author and inventor of many improvements in dental instruments and appliances, which are widely and favorably known to the profession and his large practice, and his valuable dentifrices, mouth washes, and alloys for filling teeth, are sought by many of the best dentists on the country. He is a contributor to many of the leading dental magazines, and almost annually is called upon to prepare a paper for the State Dental Society, which certainly is a high testimonial to his skill and knowledge. None labored more zealously, or with more personal success, for the establishment of the dental department of the State University than Dr. Hardman, and in August, 1882, on the passage of the dental law of Iowa, he was commissioned by Gov. Sherman as one of the State Dental Examiners, and is to-day a leading member of that board. His duties in this particular have been performed with as much fidelity and ability as those of his personal practice.

On the 17th of July, 1851, Dr. Hardman was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Farmer, daughter of Dr. William Farmer, of Salineville, Ohio, a niece of his former preceptor. Of their union five children have been born, three of whom are now living, namely: Eva D., Joe F. and May E. During the War of the Rebellion, although not entering actively into the campaign, Dr. Hardman was an earnest supporter of the Union, and his efforts in behalf of the boys in blue were untiring. As a member of the Muscatine School Board no citizen has rendered more intelligent and efficient aid to a local school system. Socially, the Doctor is a member of the Muscatine Academy of Science, he and his wife having become members on its organization, and has been honored with its most important offices, rendering in return his hearty support and willing service. No home in Muscatine is more hospitable, no welcome more cordial and gracious, than that given by Dr. Hardman and his estimable wife, who are held in the highest esteem and confidence throughout the community.

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