Guy U. Hardy

Guy Urban Hardy (April 4, 1872 – January 26, 1947) was a U.S. Representative from Colorado for fourteen years.[2][3] He was a newspaper editor and publisher for 52 years[3] as well as president of the National Editorial Association. Three parks were established in Cañon City, Colorado as the result of his lobbying efforts: Royal Gorge Park, Temple Canyon Park, and Red Canyon Park. The Guy U. Hardy award was established to recognize individuals who preserve, protect, and advocate for outdoor recreational opportunities.[4]

Gary U. Hardy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1933
Preceded by	Edward Keating
Succeeded by	John Andrew Martin
Personal details
Born	Gary Urban Hardy April 4, 1872 Abingdon, Illinois
Died	January 26, 1947 (aged 74) Cañon City, Colorado
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Jessie Mack Hardy
Education	Transylvania University
Committees	Appropriations[1]

Early life and education

Born in Abingdon, Illinois, Hardy had two brothers.[1] He attended the public schools, Albion Normal College in Albion, Illinois, and Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky.[2]

Career

He taught school in Illinois and Florida from 1890 to 1893.[2] He had tuberculosis[3] and moved to Cañon City, Colorado for the dry climate in 1894.[2][4] He was the editor and later publisher and owner of the Cañon City Daily Record and Cañon City Weekly Record, beginning in 1895.[2][4] Initially, there was a weekly paper, and by 1906 Hardy also published a daily newspaper.[4][3] Appointed to the post by President William McKinley,[1] he was postmaster of Cañon City from June 5, 1900, to July 30, 1904. He was president of the National Editorial Association in 1918 and 1919.[2]

Royal Gorge

He lobbied Congress in 1906 to establish a 8 miles (13 km) park at Royal Gorge by having the land ceded to the City of Cañon City. Royal Gorge Park was created due to his efforts, as were Temple Canyon Park in 1912 and also Red Canyon Park.[4] He was also a leader in the local Chamber of Commerce.[5]

Hardy was elected as a Republican to the 66th Congress and to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1919-March 3, 1933).[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1932 to the 73rd Congress. While in Congress, he prepared documents regarding the responsibilities of Congressmen and about Congress.[1]

During the years he served in Congress, he was recognized by his colleagues as a fine gentleman, of excellent character, and high ability. His devotion to his duties as a Representative, and his efforts in behalf of his people, accomplished much for us, and the people of Colorado will always be indebted to him.

— Congressman Robert F. Rockwell[1]

He resumed his former publishing pursuits in Cañon City, Colorado.[2] He founded the University Club of Cañon City.[1]

Personal life

On August 2, 1899, he married Jessie Mack (born May 7, 1875 Cañon City), the daughter of early pioneers of Cañon City, Julia E. (Little) and Henry Mack.[3][6] Jessie received her Bachelor of Philosophy (Ph.B.) at the University of Michigan in 1898, after which she taught Latin and English at the Cañon City High School. She was a suffragette and involved in a number of community organizations.[6] She also taught kindergarten.[7]

The Hardys had four children, daughter Marion and sons Max, Lyman, and Don.[3] He resided in Cañon City, Colorado until his death on January 26, 1947. He was interred in Greenwood Cemetery.[2] After his death, his son Don ran the newspapers.[3]

The Guy U. Hardy Award for Service to Outdoor Recreation was created in his name to recognize people in the community who "help preserve, protect and advocate for providing outdoor recreation opportunities." Hardy had a significant impact on outdoor recreational opportunities in the Royal Gorge area.[4]

References

1. United States Congress (1947). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 665–666.
2. • United States Congress. "Guy U. Hardy (id: H000195)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.
3. royalgorgehistorycenter (April 4, 2018). "What A Guy!". Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
4. "Nominees for the Guy U. Hardy Award for Service to Outdoor Recreation are due Sunday". Cañon City Daily Record. November 25, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
5. "Applicants sought for new Guy U. Hardy Award". Canon City Daily Record. November 16, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
6. Leonard, John William (1914). "Woman's who's who of America; a biographical dictionary of contemporary women of the United States and Canada". New York, The American Commonwealth Company. p. 362. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
7. "Cañon City record. [volume] (Cañon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, April 30, 1903, Page 23, Image 23 - Chronicling America - The Library of Congress". chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. Retrieved February 3, 2020.

External links

• Guy U. Hardy at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Edward Keating	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd congressional district 1919–1933	Succeeded by John Andrew Martin