Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 374

MRS. MARY C. HARDMAN, was born in Richmond, Jefferson County, Ohio, May 3, 1831, and was the third child born to Dr. William and Mary P. Farmer, who were prominent citizens of Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, for many years. Both parents were members of the Society of Friends, and were held in the highest esteem by all. The Doctor's people were very strict in the belief, and in order to remove their children from the evil influences of slavery, to which they were bitterly opposed, removed from their home to Georgia, and at an early day, became residents of Ohio, which was then an almost unbroken wilderness. William chose the practice of medicine as his profession and gained an extensive practice, yet still found time to perform many acts of charity and kindness. His home was the abode of hospitality, and for many years was known as the headquarters for temperance workers. Previous to the war it was a station on the famous "underground railroad," and often as many as twenty-five slaves at one time have found shelter and protection beneath his roof while on their way to freedom. During the day-time they were cared for by the Doctor and his wife, and when night came were taken to the next station. At the age of fifty-eight years Dr. Farmer was suddenly stricken down with heart disease, dying in the beautiful town of New Lisbon,Ohio, of which he had been a resident for only a year. His wife was the daughter of a celebrated physician, Isaac Parker, a successful practitioner of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, whose wife was Sarah Peal, a direct descendant of the celebrated Peal family of England. Mrs. Farmer was a remarkable woman in many respects. Like her parents she had a long and eventful life, and was truly a helpmate to her husband, assisting in all his kindly actions. After his death she removed to Iowa, where she made her home with her two daughters, Mrs. Hardman of Muscatine, and Mrs. Sarah F. Hoey, of Clarence, Iowa. At the home of the latter, where she was visiting at the time, her death occurred Oct. 15, 1886, at the age of ninety-two, and she was laid to rest in the pleasant village cemetery of Clarence.

When a little girl of five summers, Mrs. Hardman removed with her parents to Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and there her girlhood days were spent in her parents' beautiful home. During the most exciting days of our history her heroic nature manifested itself in her unceasing efforts in assisting the slaves, many of whom had been hunted by bloodhounds, or by unhuman wretches far worse, on their way to Canada and freedom. At her home were entertained from time to time such notable workers in the cause of freedom as Benjamin Lundy, Theodore Parker, S. S. Foster, Parker Pillsbury, Abbie Kelley, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass, the latter having received material aid to buy his freedom; also Lovejoy, who gave his life in defense of the cause; and there too his bereaved widow made her home for a time after the death of her husband.

The education of our subject was received in the Friends' Seminary and Prof. Jenkins' Academy at Mt PLeasant, Ohio. In 1851 she became the wife of Dr. J. Hardman, and four years later they removed to Muscatine, Iowa, which for thirty-four years has been their home. Here they have reared an interesting family of three children : Eva. D., the eldest, is the wife of S. S. Morehouse, an insurance and real estate agent of Kansas City, Mo.; Joe F., who is single, is a partner with his father in the practice of dentistry ; Mae E., is the wife of Henry E. Barber, superintendent of the Armour Packing House of St. Paul, Minn. Two children Ida and Willie P., died in infancy.

In the year 1857 Mrs. M. C. Hardman united with the Congregational Church at Muscatine, Iowa, and remains a member of that church. She has a wide sympathy with all true Christian workers, endeavoring to follow the Golden Rule in all her dealings with others, ever depending on the Author of all good for a reward.


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