“The angel of death entered the Hard home, 501 Offnere street, last night and softly touched the feeble body of the venerable William Hard, whose dead body was found in bed this morning by his niece, Miss Elsie Boynton.”
“Mr. Hard had been in feeble health for some time, the infirmities of age creeping upon him, as he had but almost reached the age of 93 years. He seemed no worse than usual last night, however, and the discovery of his body, cold in death, was a great shock and grief to his niece, who has been acting as his housekeeper since the death of his daughter last spring. An attack of heart trouble, which he probably suffered early in the night, brought a painless and peaceful ending to a beautiful, upright, and blameless life that had so nearly rounded out a full century.”
“Born of New England ancestors, who came from Vermont to this county in 1812, William Hard possessed all the vigorous virtues and the unflinching integrity that marks the typical New England Puritan. His father1 came to Haverhill, Scioto County, when a young man and the son, William, was born September 4, 1830, on the farm that his father had settled in the French Grant in that section. Brought up a follower of agricultural pursuits, he remained on the farm until November of 1869, when he came to Portsmouth with his family, living here until his death last night.”
“April 15, 1845, William Hard and Tryphena McMillan were wedded at Friendship, and for 65 years they lived together. Mrs. Hard finally growing weary of life’s journey and passing to her long rest three years ago. To this union were born nine children, of whom three are living. These are Frank L. Hard, of St. Albans, West Virginia.; William C., of Engle, Idaho; and Charles E., present postmaster of Portsmouth and former newspaper editor. One daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Boynton, wife of Henry Boynton, died some time ago, while Miss Dora Hard passed away only last April. Viola, the other daughter, died in infancy.”
“After coming to Portsmouth William Hard was engaged in the grocery business and had an establishment at the corner of Ninth and Chillicothe, and also at the corner of Sinton ad Gallia streets. For a number of years, however, Mr. Hard had not engaged in active business affairs on account of his extreme age.”
“Living a quiet, unassuming, simple life, he held no important positions, was identified only with his church, for which he worked loyally, and the peaceful death seemed only fitting after a life of quiet devotion to home and family.”
“Desiring to die in the home where he and his wife had lived so many years, his niece has kept house for him since the death of his daughter last spring and made things comfortable for him in the old home.”
“The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the late residence, 501 Offnere street, and will be conducted by Rev. Alfred F. Hughes, pastor of Bigelow M. E. church, of which the deceased was a member, assisted by Rev. J. W. Dillon. Burial will be made in the family lot at Greenlawn.”2
- Ezra C. Hard
- Death of William Hard, longtime Portsmouth resident. (1913, June 11). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
