This name is found very early in New England records, and many good citizens bearing it have borne part of the settlement and development of various sections of this country. The early families seem to have been of English origin, but the family herein treated came to this country from Ireland. It was, however, undoubtedly of English stock.

(I) The first of whom we have knowledge was Francis Grace Hardy, an Episcopal clergyman stationed in Tralee, Ireland.

(II) William H., son of Francis G. Hardy, was an architect, born in Tralee, and emigrated to Ottawa, Canada, where he was a builder. His brother, Robert H. Hardy, owned the land on which the present (1910) Parliament buildings stand, and was a member of the Canadian Parliament.

(III) Francis Grace (2), son of William H., was born June 24, 1813, in Tralee, and died May 24, 1905, at Ogdensburg, N.Y. He was a child when his parents removed to Canada, and grew up at Ottawa, receiving such education as the schools of that town afforded. Early in life he was apprenticed to a carriage maker, and ultimately engaged in the manufacture of carriages at Kempville, Canada, and also dealt largely in good of other manufacturers. He subsequently became interested in railroad construction, and aided in building the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain railroad. He was associated with the operation of this line for forty-seven years, beginning as a foreman, and was subsequently in charge of the car shops at Ogdensburg.
He was a member of the Methodist church, and one of the early members of Ogdensburg Lodge, A.F. and A.M., being affiliated with that body fifty-three years. He was also a member of Ogdensburg Lodge, I.O.O.F., and was an active Republican throughout his residence in New York.
He married, Nov. 6, 1848, in Montreal, Ellen McGrath, born Feb. 10, 1829, in county Tralee, Ireland, daughter of George McGrath, who was a builder in Montreal for many years up to the time of his death.
Children:
1. Susan, wife of John Coates, of Prescott, Canada.
2. George, resides in Buffalo, N.Y.
3. Ella, wife of David Wright, residing in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
4. Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Dewis, of Ogdensburg.
5. Frank G., residing in Buffalo.
6. Minnie L., residing in New York.
7. Robert H., mentioned below.
Two others died in infancy.

(IV) Robert Henry, youngest son of Francis G. (2) and Ellen (McGrath) Hardy, was born Oct. 25, 1867, in Ogdensburg, where he grew up, receiving his education in the public schools and academy. As a young man he became confidential clerk of Judge John M. Kellogg, of Ogdensburg, with whom he pursued the study of law. In the fall of 1892 he moved to Buffalo, where he resided for about one year, and in February, 1893, went to New York City, where he became a clerk in the office of the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Here his exceptional ability procured him ready advancement, and after one year in the genearl office he took charge of a branch office and has since been continuously occupied in this manner, building up several branches and placing them upon a successful basis.
He is at present (1910) in charge of the Broadway branch, corner of Twenty-eighth street. Those fortunate in meeting Mr. Hardy are at once impressed with his energy, exceptional capacity and genial nature.
He is a member of the St. Lawrence County Society of New York, of the Central Republican Club of Harlem, the Park Club of Buffalo, Acacian Lodge, No. 705, A.F. and A.M., of Ogdensburg.
He attends the Methodist church, is an ardent Republican, and served as city clerk of Ogdensburg under Mayor Newell. He was also assistant in the internal revenue office of Ogdensburg, and has been president of the Life Underwriters' Association of New York City.
Mr. Hardy is a stockholder in various railroad and realty companies, but has no other official connection therewith.
He married, Nov., 1893, Alicia Carlisle, a native of Buffalo, daughter of James and Susan Carlisle, the former a native of Delaware, and the latter of Buffalo.
Mr. & Mrs. Hardy have two sons, Carlisle James and Robert Hilliard, and reside in New York.

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