HARD, GEN. DUDLEY JACKSON (4 Aug. 1873-9 Oct. 1950), military leader, was born in Wooster, Ohio to Curtis V. and Adeline Jackson Hard and graduated from the College of Wooster (1893). In 1894 he joined Cleveland Light & Power Co. which, in 1893, had bought the Williams Publishing Co.'s small steam-engine electricity business for its immediate neighbors. Hard joined the firm as treasurer, and by 1946 was president when the company's interests were purchased by CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING CO. In 1898, Hard left private business to become a serviceman, enlisting as a private in Ohio's 8th Volunteer Infantry, serving in the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. From 1906-10, Hard served in Troop A of the Ohio Cavalry, as a 1st lieutenant. By 1916, he was a major, commanding a battalion from Ohio in the Mexican border campaign. During WORLD WAR I, Hard was a colonel commanding the 135th Field Artillery. In 1923 he was promoted to colonel, chief of staff, of Ohio's 37th Div., and by 1928 was brigadier general of the 54th Ohio Cavalry Brigade. In 1936 Hard became major general, commanding the 37th Div. of the Ohio Natl. Guard. Retiring that year, he became the first county commander in Cleveland of the American Legion. Hard received the Cleveland Medal for Public Service in 1936. After his retirement, Hard became involved with the Cleveland Welfare Fed., Cleveland and Ohio chambers of commerce, and Cuyahoga County Boy Scouts. He married Mildred J. Hopkins in 1903 and had 2 children, Dudley J., Jr., and Mrs. Jane Russell. Hard is buried in LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.
