Of Crawford County, Iowa, Section 30 of Washington Township, was a farmer and ex-soldier, and one of the very early settlers of the county. He was born near Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine, November 30, 1843, the son of Benjamin Hardy and Eliza (Nevins) Hardy. Mr. Hardy was reared on the home farm and received his education in the common schools of the district. In August 1861, he enlisted in the same regiment as his brother, in Company I, serving 4 years and 2 months. His first baptism of fire being at Yorktown, under General McClellan (on the ground where the proud Cornwallis surrendered to Washington). Following this, he took part in the Battles of Williamsburg, White Oak Swamp, the 7 days' Battle, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Savage Station, Mine Run, Wilderness (where he was wounded in the right ankle), and Spotsylvania (Mr. Hardy lost his thumb in this battle). He finally participated in the Grand Review at Washington. Honorably discharged in August 1865, he returned to Maine, but within a few months went to Scott County, Iowa, where he lived until 1869 when he came to Crawford County and settled on Pretty Prairie (being one of the first to locate there). The land he bought was "wild," but earnest work developed it into a well-improved farm of 320 acres. There was a house of 1-1/2 stories with an L built onto it of one story high. He had a yard, lawn, orchard grove, barn, crib, granary, feed shed, windmill for water, and feed lots. On the farm, there was a pasture, meadow, and plow lands. Mr. Hardy was married at the age of 28 years to Mary J. Scott at Denison, Iowa, who was born and reared in Canada, the daughter of William Scott of Union township and Emma (Davis) Scott. A. P. and Mary were the parents of 8 children: Edna (teacher and wife of Frank Taylor, hardware merchant of Dunlap); Emma Mabel; Clarion De Witt; Leslie M.; Zella E.; Herbert A.; Elsie M.; and Maynard M. Mr. Hardy was a charter member of the Budd Smith G. A. R. Post. He was a Sunday School teacher and a Sunday School Superindent