John E. HARDY, president of the Portland Equity Exchange and a well known farmer and landowner of Pike township, this county, is a native son of Jay county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Pike township on April 26, 1867, and is a son of George W. and Amy A. (COOK) HARDY, both of whom were members of pioneer families in that part of this county. George W. HARDY was also born in Pike township, in 1843. and was living there when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted his services in behalf of the cause of the Union and went to the front as a private in Company C, Thirty-ninth regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which presently was mounted and thereafter served as the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. While thus serving Mr. HARDY participated In some of the most important engagements of the war and at the bloody battle of Stone River was taken prisoner by the enemy and was for some time thereafter confined in Libby prison at Richmond. Upon being exchanged he rejoined his command and continued service until the end of the war. Upon the completion of his military service he returned to his home in this county and after his marriage established his home on a farm in Pike township, where he became the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, all of whom are still living save four, Lavonia, Roland O., Ira L., and Clayton O., those living, besides the subject of this sketch, being Louisa, Albert W., Noel W. and Edith and Edna, twins. John E. HARDY was reared on the home farm in Pike township and received his schooling in the local schools of that neighborhood. He early became engaged in farming and after his marriage established his home on a farm in that township, where he has since resided, the owner of a well kept place of eighty acres. Mr. HARDY has long taken an active interest in movements having to do with the promotion of the best interests of the agricultural community and is president of the Portland Equity Exchange. He is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the First Christian Church at Salamonia. Mr. HARDY has been twice married. His first wife was Amy Stella HAINES, who also was born in this county. Following her death he married Hazie A. RINES, who was born in Pike township. this county, daughter of Louis and Jane RINES, and to this union one child has been born. a daughter. Mary Amy