Rufus Hardy was a United States Representative of the Democratic Party

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 from the state of Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

.

Early years

Hardy was born Monroe County, Mississippi

Monroe County, Mississippi

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,014 people, 14,603 households, and 10,660 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 16,236 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...

 to George Washington and Pauline J. (Whittaker) Hardy. The family moved to Millican, Texas

Millican, Texas

Millican is a town in Brazos County, Texas, United States. The population was 108 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bryan–College Station metropolitan area...

 in 1861.

Hardy enrolled at Somerville Institute in Noxubee County, Mississippi

Noxubee County, Mississippi

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,548 people, 4,470 households, and 3,222 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile . There were 5,228 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile...

 in 1871, and received his L.L.B. from the University of Georgia

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

 in 1875. In 1876, he opened his law practice in Navasota, Texas

Navasota, Texas

Navasota is a city in Grimes County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,789 at the 2000 census. In 2005, the Texas Legislature named the city "The Blues Capital of Texas," in honor of the late Mance Lipscomb, a Navasota native and blues musician....

, and moved to Corsicana, Texas

Corsicana, Texas

Corsicana is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. It is located on Interstate 45 some fifty-five miles south of downtown Dallas. The population was 24,485 at the 2000 census...

 in 1878.

Career in public service

From 1880 to 1884 he served as a prosecuting attorney of Navarro County, Texas. He served as District Attorney for the Texas 13th Judicial District 1884-1888, and as District Judge of the same district 1888-1896. Hardy was represented Texas in the United States House of Representatives 1907-1923. Upon retirement from Congress, Hardy returned to private practice in Corsicana.

Personal life

In 1881, Hardy was married to Felicia E. Peck. He died in Corsicana on March 13, 1943 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Hardy followed him in death just 17 days later and is buried by his side.

Fraternal memberships

• Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
  Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
  The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
  
  
• Knights of Pythias
  Knights of Pythias
  The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded at Washington, DC, on 19 February 1864.The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been...
  
  
• Phi Delta Theta
  Phi Delta Theta
  Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
  
  

External links