Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection Js^l I^HMiaHMMHl Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County Local History & Genealogy Division 115 South Avenue Rochester, New York 14604 Reference Book Not for Circulation Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection S }3 ff u^m^L y ^?f^c "/ Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection \Cutting Cake of Full Century Civil i James A. Hard (right), Rochester's only surviving ' War veteran, cut his 100th birthday cake with Comrade Henry Lilly, of Gates, looking on as 100 candles flickered. GAR Veteran Feted on End Of His First Hundred Years James A. Hard, one of Monroe County's five remaining' Civil War veterans, last night completed 100 years of life by; taking in stride a celebration in his honor. The veteran, surrounded in the Hotel Seneca ballroom byC four generations of his family, and Greeted by Officials than 300 members of vet more . i Greeting him were representa- erans' twirled his organizations, tlves of many organizations, Roch- 1 and smiled as he heard hirn- cane ester's mayor, Samuel B. Dicker, His home iteod by speakers. and Councilmen John Hart and Rosalind St. is at 31 Joseph E. Silverstein. Here for and bent now, "Comrads" Slight the celebration also were members admitted at the close of the Hard of General Sniper Post, Sons of he was "a wee bit ceremonies Union Veterans, of Syracuse, led tired." But that have been may by Captain William Nielson. from attendance at a picnic in Edwin Morris, new state com Mendon Ponds Park Monday. mander of the GAR, wired con Great-Grandson Wires gratulations. His only regret was that his Besides serving as a birthday James Ekston, who great-grandson, party for the aged Civil War vet has accompanied him on past GAR erans, the event also served as a events, couldn't be here for the family reunion. Besides Mrs. birthday party, culminating with Albeit Wilson, with whom Comrade of a cake surrounded by cutting Hard makes his home, and his 100 candles. The great-grandson, granddaughter, Mis. Ekston, an in service at Camp Claiborne, La., other granddaughter, Mrs. Vera sent a telegram that gladden=d Fete Nelan, Victor; a grandson, Earl Birthday his heart. "That was fine of Jim," he remarked to his granddaughter, Slated Vet and two for Mrs. Lola Ekston, the youth'3 Osborn, Buffalo, great-l mother. grandsons were present. Five other, 103 Years Seated at the speaker's table great-grandchildren wcie unable tu< with Hard were two of the five attend. James A. Hard, 31 Rosalind remaining Boys in Blue in Monroe Edward G. Hartel, a past presi-' St., Rochester's Civil County, Henry Lilly W' Gates and dent of the Abraham Lincoln Asso-v only living War will be feted Sat Frank Bissel of Scottsville. ciation, presided at the celebra- 1 veteran, night in Hotel Seneca on Gifts, mainly cigars, which Hard tion, and Charles H. Rohrer, urday his 103d birthday. "chain" smokes, came from every newly-elected commander of Span-is The Is under sponsorship veterans' organization in the ish War Veterans, was chairmanS party of the Monroe County Council, county. The cake was the gift of of arrangements. Sons of Union Veterans of the thj Abraham Lincoln Association, ( Civil War. Feature of the affair sponsor of the party, as were 100 will be the presentation to Mr. roses. And a flagstaff, with an Hard of a birthday cake bearing eagle top, came from the Monroe 103 candles. Mr. Hard lives with County Council, Sons of Union hlH Mrs. Alberta WU- Veterans. daughter, 1-1 Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Scrapbooks Collection .- . ........ ._ I 703 Candles Wait Last 'Boy in Blue' ex considers these days much too I indicates that he'll be glad for I THERE'LL be no contemporaries aboutt * out to time thinking ] to wish him well, but James A.I any help he can get in blowing citing spend candles Hard, Rochester's only living Civil the five soor'e and three the past, anyhow. J j that on the birthday cake in! 'War veteran, can expect a lot of: huge He's particularly Interested to him. two I enthusiastic help from succeeding, will be presented careers of his J de the military generations in blowing out his 103 1 Although he has no particular who are carryingl J it'll great-grandsons sire to dance himself, he thinks in which het (birthday candles Saturday night. on the fight for liberty the i I be a lot of fun to watch young- According to his daughter, Mrs. took part so many years ago. of the music Alberta with whom lives [ er folk take advantage war to I I Wilson, he Although he hopes for the will be at the party, 'at 31 Rosalind, Hard is quite ex- I that provided with a end soon, he speaks great* forward to the he says- looking pub- I _, about the members his most birthday Jcitedly of Civil War deal of pride Among prized lie is ar- I With his last buddy reception that being as well as the otherl was a letter from Gov. j no of his family greetings In l laid to rest last year, Hard J ranged for him Saturday days who are taking part inp him rJminiwine voubk boys Thomas E. Dewey advising (Hotel Seneca the Monroe of of by the JU1.. They're true sons that "On behalf of the people Council. Sons of Union Vet County LruTth^eolddSda^VhThne1SsCaysg I he New York I can assure you that his any, for he America, says. erans of the Civil War, He also doesn't cramp style sac your splendid record and the rifices you made for the preserva TW .Union 111! 11 ICM/I' tion of our country are warmly cherished and appreciated." The letter was read to the party by Edward G. Bartell, president of the Abraham Lincoln Association, who was master of ceremonies. As the red, white and blue garbed birthday gifts piled up and over flowed the top of the piano, Hard beamed in appreciation and seemed He was to grow 10 years younger. already looking forward to today when he would sit down with scis sors and notebook and open them. of He insists on complete records all presents he receives. Favorite gift of the former Union soldier is cigars. Last year he received 2,000 of them, but the supply didn't quite hold out until this birthday. Although the smokes remained uncounted last night, they looked like a bumper crop. One of the high spots of the enter tainment, in the opinion of the veteran, was the singing of "Tent ing. Tonight on the Old Camp Ground" by Mrs. June Green Gad- gel, a yearly ritual at his birthday parties. Retains Sense of Humor Retaining his sense of humor as he forges into his second century, Hard last night had ready answers for all occasions. When the presi dent of a veteran auxiliary said: "We hope we'll all meet you here again next year," he replied: "I'll try and be here." Hard keeps well posted on the news by listening to the radio, and spends much time I telephoning and catching up on his j correspondence by dictating to granddaughter, Mrs. Carl Eksten of | East Henrietta. He lives with daughter, Mrs. Alberta Wilson, 31 J Rosalind St. Hard has two great-grandsons ln| this war; Sgt. James Eksten of I Henrietta, who spent 28 months1 | with the Medical Corps in the "IT'S THE SAME OLD FLAG, EH PARD?' D.&C. JUL 16 Mediterranean war theater and lsl 1944' . now stationed in South Carolina,) home about for an i of James A. one Monroe ij Here's something to write Hard, remaining ; and Cpl. Donald Nelan of Victorj from Gene Pow- Civil War veteran, who was given apprentice seaman Queens, County , awaiting shipment overseas with! lit the last in honor of his 103d birthday i ell, V-12 student, who birthday cigar | party night the Army Air Forces. Son of Pioneers prevented "Him | Failing eyesight The late Frank Bissell of Scotts* 'from seeing most of his well-wish ! ville, who last year was one of two but Hard shook hands vigor Monroe's Lone '61 Veteran ers, Civil War veterans in the and took county] with each one j' ously died 16 at the of 96. all the ladies Aug. age HeV pleasure in kissing ! had escorted Hard to his place of Feted on His 103rd who paid their respects. Not the Birthday honor at his 102nd I least of his admirers were three birthday party. Born who in Victor, Hard was the son ; Civil War veteran James A. Hard sat, cane in hand, in i grammar school age children of a Western New York a pioneer,! chair in Hotel Seneca last the first to arriv< arrived at the party with group I rocking night Alanson Pratt Hard and a Roch of entertainers. The youngsters his own 103rd party. ester native, Martha Frost [at birthday gazed at Hard from afar and asked Hard.lj wait to his said. "He's In His father drove stage coach from ''He couldn't get here," daughter many times if he was "really" || Rochester to Mt. Morris been as excited as a little boy." X~y, the Civil War. They were inspired and Canan- I daigua before 1835.