| HON. THOMAS HARDIE is one of
Dubuque's old settlers and prominent citizens, who, by his courteous
and honorable manners, has merited the high esteem of all with whom
he has been brought in contact. He was born in Montreal, Canada,
January 25, 1819. His father, Alex Hardie, was a native of Scotland,
and located in Montreal, where he lived until his death, which
occurred in 1830. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian. His
wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Enfield, was born in
Detford, England, and spent her last days in Canada. Mr. Hardie
was reared in Montreal until 1832, when he removed to Kingston,
Canada, and in 1834 removed to Buffalo, N. Y. In the fall of 1839,
he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and in the spring of 1840 he went to
Springfield, Ill. In 1843 he returned to Montreal and remained until
1846, when he came to Dubuque and engaged in painting until 1853, at
which time he was appointed draughtsman in the surveyor's general
office in Dubuque under Warner Lewis. He was thus employed for eight
years.
The name of Mr. Hardie is inseparably connected with official
life in this community. In 1849 he was a member of the Board of
Alderman from the Fourth Ward. In 1854-55 he served as
representative to the Sixth General Assembly and in 1860-61 to the
Ninth General Assembly. In 1863 he was made Secretary of the School
Board, and has since filled that office with credit to himself and
usefulness to those concerned. He was a member of the Board of
Regents of the Iowa State University in 1877 and 1878, being
appointed by Governor Nebold to fill a vacancy. At this time there
is only one teacher left of the corps of 1863.
In 1840 Mr. Hardie became a member of Sangamon Lodge No. 6, I. O.
O. F., of Springfield, and was a member of the Grand Lodge of
Illinois in 1843. He took a prominent part in organizing the lodges
and encampments, and during the three succeeding years in Canada,
whither he had moved. When he left there he was serving as Deputy
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows of Canada. He was a charter member of Metropolitan Lodge No.
49, A. F. & A. M., which was established in Dubuque October 23,
1854, and was its first Secretary. He was re-elected in 1863, and
has since filled that office. Mr. Hardie cast his first Presidential
vote in Springfield in 1840, supporting Martin Van Buren, and has
since been a member of the Democratic party. |
Dubuque
County IAGenWeb