JEFFERSON COUNTY NEW YORK CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS' BIOGRAPHIES

Gustavus Hardy

Union Soldier - Distinguished Service

Gustavus Hardy was born on Aug. 3, 1823 in the town of Rutland, the son of the late Robert and Abigail Stone Hardy. At the age of 41, Mr. Hardy enlisted in Company A, 10th New York Heavy Artillery on August 26, 1864, in the town of Rutland. He served the greater part of his enlistment at Petersburg, Va. He was honorably discharged June 23, 1865.

Watertown Daily Times March 19, 1918

Gustavus Hardy

AGED 94, DIES

OLDEST MEMBER OF THE EXEMPT FIREMEN

WAS VETERAN OF CIVIL WAR.

Was Contractor In His Early Days and Worked on Some of the Best Known Buildings of the City.

Gustavus Hardy, a veteran of the Civil war and the oldest member of Watertown Exempt Volunteer Firemen's Association, died at his late residence, 329 Jay St., Monday night at 6, aged 94 years. Mr. Hardy was also one of the three oldest Odd Fellows in Jefferson county.

He had been in good health up to seven weeks ago.

Mr Hardy had been a resident of Watertown since 1848. At that time he came to this city at the age of 26 years, from the town of Rutland, where he was born on Aug. 3, 1823, the son of the late Robert and Abigail Stone Hardy. His parents were among the early settlers of that section. His father was a carpenter and was the first man in this section of the country to use the square in erecting buildings.

When Mr. Hardy came to this city he learned the carpenter's and joiners' trade. He served as an apprentice for Benjamin Gibbs of State street, an old time contractor. After mastering the trade he was associated with Mr. Gibbs for several years. Construction was altogether different from the present day method. Buildings were frame entirely, put up with huge beams, held together by wooden pins. At the time Mr. Hardy first arrived in Watertown the city looked little as it does today. On the north side of Public Square there was but one building, the one at the corner of Mill street long known as the Streeter block and now known as the J. B. Wise building. There were but few buildings on the north side of the river except those at the eastern part then known as Jubelville. On the north side in the vicinity of Mill street about the only building of consequence was the old flouring mill property known as the Checkerboard mill, where the electric light plant is now located. It was called this because the exterior was painted in two colors with a checkerboard design.

Mr. Hardy had always resided in Jay street, living on the same plot of ground where his late home is located. He worked as a carpenter on the Woodruff house, the old Iron Block and the American buildings. The latter was two years in the process of construction. He also worked on the Taggart Block, originally known as the Commercial Block, and helped to build the Crowner house. In 1864 while working on what was long known as the Mundy house, now occupied by the Agricultural Company in Lower Washington Street.

Mr. Hardy enlisted in Company A, 10th New York Heavy Artillery. He served the greater part of his enlistment at Petersburg, Va. He was honorably discharged in 1865. He the returned to Watertown and resumed his trade. He retired when he was 75 years old, working at only small jobs for a few years later. Mr. Hardy was married to Miss Emily C. Gibbs. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Gibbs in 1862. Mrs. Hardy died in the spring of 1897. Mr. Hardy joined the Odd Fellows 50 years ago, becoming affiliated with Jefferson Union Lodge. He was recently presented with a pin in commemoration of his long membership.

Mr. Hardy was also one of the oldest veterans from this city to attend the Gettysburg reunion in 1913. He was a member of Joe Spratt Post, G. A. R. On May 20, 1861, Mr. Hardy enrolled as a volunteer fireman and was assigned to Joe Hancock Hook and Ladder company, No. 1. He received his discharge in 1870. He was also a member of the Lincoln League and was formerly a member of the Middle Road church in Rutland. For many years Mr. Hardy was the first man to pay his taxes In the city. Mr. Hardy's grandfather Hardy and grandfather Stone were Revolutionary soldiers. The former served at the battle of Bunker Hill, at Bennington and at Trenton, and was present at West Point at the time of the treason of Benedict Arnold.

Mr. Hardy was the last of the three brothers of a family of eleven. The youngest, John C. Hardy, died two years ago at the age of 81. Robert C. Hardy died in 1915, aged 94 years. On Thanksgiving day, 1914, the three gathered at a turkey dinner at the residence of Edward L. Mitchell, 113 North Pleasant street.

Mr. Hardy is survived by two sons Charles S. Hardy, with whom he resided, and Benjamin R. Hardy, of' this city; one daughter, Mrs Cornelia Miller of Auburn and seven grandchildren. The funeral services will be held from the late residence, 329 Jay st. Thursday afternoon at 2. Rev. W. P. Moody pastor of the Stone Street Presbyterian church will officiate. Interment will be made in the Brookside cemetery. Three members of the Jefferson Union Lodge I.O.O.F. and three from Joe Spratt Post G.A.R. will act as bearers.

Sources:

Newspaper - Watertown Daily Times - March 19, 1918 Jefferson County NYGenWeb, US Civil War Service Records, for Gustavus Hardy

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