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GEORGE HARDSOCK,
who for forty-five years has been a well-known resident of Effingham County, is now engaged in the manufacture
of staves and lumber in Mason. His is one of the leading industries of this locality, and our subject is recognized
as one of the prominent business men. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 7, 1839, and on the father's side
is of German descent. During his boyhood he went from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where he followed farming. He was one
of the heroes of the war for independence, and died in the Buckeye State at a very advanced age. Jefferson Hardsock,
father of George, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a miller by trade. He removed to Licking County, Ohio, when
that community was a pioneer settlement, and there engaged in milling for a number of years. His death occurred
in 1845. His wife bore the maiden name of Hester Van Winkle, and was also born in the Keystone State. Her father,
William Van Winkle, was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1832 his death occurred in Ohio at the age of four-score
years. Mrs. Hardsock is still living and is now the widow of James McArdle, who died in 1888.
Mr.
and Mrs. Hardsock had a family of six children, but Susan and William are now deceased. The former was the wife
of James Beck, of Best Township, this county, and at her death left a family of five children. William wedded Mary
Davidson, who died in 1878, leaving three children, and he then married a Kansas lady, by whom he had four children.
His death occurred in 1890, and his widow is still living in the State of Washington. Mary Ellen, the eldest of
the Hardsock family, is the widow of Aaron Hereld, of Jackson Township, and has seven children. George is the next
younger. Elzey wedded Mrs. Siddons, widow of Joseph Siddons, who died during the war, leaving one child; Elzey
and his wife have five children and reside in Mason Township. Elnora is the wife of George Jones, of Spartan, Morrow
County, Ohio, and they have a family of four children. By her second marriage the mother of our subject had four
children: Hester, Earl and Susan, all deceased; and Julia, wife of Charles Martin, a farmer residing two and a-half
miles from Mason. They have two children, Delbert and Nora. With Julia resides her mother, who is now eighty -three
years of age. Her mother lived to be ninety-two years old, and her mother-in-law reached the extreme old age of
one hundred and twelve years and six months.
The
subject of this sketch left home when a lad of twelve years, and has since been dependent upon his own resources.
His education was principally received in Effingham County. He came to Illinois in 1848, and has since been a resident
of this State. However, he went South during the late war as a member of Company D, Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry.
He enlisted November 10, 1861, and served for two years and ten months. He was in the battles of Jackson, Parker's
Cross Roads, Island No. 64, Vicksburg, Ball's Bluff, Little Rock and Pine Bluff. He was then taken sick, and on
account of disability was discharged. His brother William was also a soldier and was one of only sixteen men who
returned to Mason out of a company of one hundred and three who left Effingham County. He participated in the battles
of Vicksburg and Shiloh, together with many other important engagements, and at the first named engagement five
bullets were shot through his cap, but he did not receive a wound. He died in the State of Washington.
On
the 11th of October, 1864, Mr. Hardsock wedded Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Rhoda (Bradley) Holland, whose
parents were natives of Tennessee. Eight children have been born unto them: Robert, who married Miss Dora Reynolds,
with his wife and daughter Clara resides in Beardstown, Ill.; William H., who married Mattie Samples, also lives
in Beardstown, and, with his brother, is employed in a stove factory. Hester is the wife of Frank Leither, of Mason,
and they have a daughter, Ruth; James M., Joseph, Ellen, Emma and Callie are still at home. The family circle has
never been broken by the hand of Death.
On
his return from the war, Mr. Hardsock purchased an interest in the sawmill of Miles Grove, of Mason. Their partnership
continued about eighteen months, when they sold out to Messrs. Kettle & Sisson, for whom our subject worked
for about a year and a-half, when he purchased Mr. Sisson
s interest and continued with Mr. Kettle for about a year. Selling his interest in the sawmill to George Gibson,
he then came to Mason and began working in a stave factory, where he was employed for sixteen years. He then purchased
a sawmill on the Wabash River and, removing it to Mason, ground feed and sawed lumber. Subsequently he purchased
new boilers and stave machinery, and has since engaged in the manufacture of staves. The capacity of the mill is
now four thousand feet of lumber per day and eighteen thousand staves. Mr. Hardsock is doing an excellent business,
which has constantly increased. In addition to his mill, he owns a pleasant residence and another house in Mason,
which he rents.
Mr.
Hardsock and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which he is Treasurer. In politics he is a Democrat.
He faithfully served for two years as a member of the Village Board, was Constable for two years, and is now serving
his third term as School Trustee. Socially, he is a member of Mason Lodge No. 217, A. F. & A.M.; Mason Chapter
No. 76, R. A. M.; and of Ransom Post No. 99, G. A. R. Mr. Hardsock is one of the pioneer settlers of the county,
where for forty-five years he has made his home. He has witnessed its entire growth and development, and has ever
borne his part in its advancement and progress. He has been faithful in the discharge of his official duties and
is a straightforward and upright business man, whose honorable career has won him universal confidence. Well does
he deserve representation in the history of his adopted county.
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 494. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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