Smyrna times., 1928-09-26
DEATH RECORD OF THE WEEK

William G. Hardesty, Native OF
Smyrna, and a Former Member of
the Delaware Legislature, Dead
William Garretson Hardesty, a ma
! tive of Smyrna and former repre-
sentative in the Delaware Legislature,
died Tuesday, September IS, at the
residence of his daughter, Mrs. C.
Grant Cleaver, of 1926 One Hundred
and Tenth street, Richmond Hill. Ii,
n. Y. Death was due to arterio-
selerosis, with complications. Mr..
Hardesty was born in Smvrna
March s, 1865, and was therefore in
his seventy-third year. He was the
son of George w. and Maria Eliza
beth Cahoon, both of whose ancestors
came to Delaware in colonial days.
His great-grandfather's home, on the
Cahoon side, in Smyrna is now owned
by Former Congressman Walter O..
Hoffecker, and the Hardesty-owned
hofestead near Harrington, now oc-
cupied by his brother, James, has
been IN possession of the family for
more than 200 years. Mr.. Hardestv
was educated in the public schools of
Harrington, this state, and at Church
Hill, Nd, and by tutors. He was a
great lover of classical literature and
was especially fond of Shakespeare,
from many of whose plays ne could
quote at great length. He was mar
ried in 1876 to Eugenia Merriken,
daughter of the late Richard N. Mer-
riken and Rebecca Ann Sipple, of
near Harrington. Mrs. Hardesty was
a teacher. She graduated at Wyom-
ing Seminary and also studied in Bal
timore. Mr.. Hardesty is survived by
three children, BensonaC. Hardesty,
an attorney of Cape GEardeau, Mo-;
Ethelyn H. Cleaver, president Of the
Phi Beta Kappa Allumnae of New
York city, and Priscilla r. Thompson,
formerly an instructor Of music at
Bucknell University, now the wife Of
John G. Thompson, Of Bellville, Nd.
He is also survived by five grand
children, Charlotte, Priscilla, Grant,
and Eugenia Cleaver, Richmond Hill,
ard Helen Chenault Hardesty,of Cape
Girardeau, Mo; by five brothers, as
follows: George p. Hardesty, Of Phil
adelphia; Frank L. Hardesty, vi Do
ver; Edmond Q. Hardesty, Of Viii
mington; James OF Hardesty, of Har-
rington, and Howard Z. Hardesty, Of
Bridgeville. "A sister, Mrs. John H.
Harita, resides in New York city. An
other sister, Mrs Thomas o. Harring-
ton, of FELTON,, died in May. Mr..
Hardesty was for many years iden-
titled with the carriage industry Of
this state, beginning as a salesman
for the firm Of William r. Cahoon
and Sons of Dover, Of which his
grandfather was president. For some
years he also conducted an undertak-
ing business in connection with the
sale Of carriages. In later years he
was connected with the Barbour Bug
gy Company Of st. Louis. and during
the latter years Of his life he retired
Mr. Hardesty made his home in Cape
Girardeau, Mo, where his son re
sides. Funeral and interment took
place at old Barratt's Chapel Gene
tery last Friday.
Former Pastor Of Smyrna Circuit
The Rev. George i. Hardesty, pas
tor Of Smyrna Circuit and for 81
years an active preacher in the Will
mington Methodist Episcopal Confer
ence, and living at 2506 Madison
street, Wilmington, died in the Della
ware Hospital early yesterday morn
ing following an illness Of several
months from kidney trouble. Mr..
Hardesty, while suffering for long
time from the malady, had ben ser
iously i'll since May. Mr.. Hardesty,
who made his home with his son-ln-
law and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. W.
H. Birmingham, at the Madison street
address, was one Of the best known
ministers of the Wilmington Confer
ence. He served the church at Wood
land, Magnolia, Tangier, Gatestown,
st. Georges, Roxana, st. Peters,
Smyrna Circuit, Berlin, Whitesville,
Seaford Circuit, Kent Island and
Cecilton. He retired from the active
ministry in 1914 and moved to Sea-
ford. His wife died five years ago.
He was ordained in 1883. Mr. Hard
esty was born and reared on farm
near Denton, Md, the son of the late
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Hardesty. Mr..
Hardesty is survived by four daugh-
ters, Mrs. Mary Harper, of Stevens
vile, Nd, Mrs. Georgia Hall, Nor
folk, Va, Mrs. Ruth Hardesty and
Mrs. Anna Birmingham, of Whining
ton, five sons, E. F., L. L., Julian,
William and Leslie Hardesty, all of
Seaford, and ten grandchildren.