James Hardinge
James Hardinge was born on June 6th, 1836, in the parish of Knockcommon, County Meath, Ireland. At a young age, he emigrated to the United States, where he and his family settled in Libertyville, Illinois. In the early days of the American Civil War, on May 24th, 1861, Hardinge enlisted with Captain John S. Pratt in Company I of the 15th Illinois Volunteers. He served honorably throughout the war, mustering out on June 14th, 1864.
After the war, in 1867, Hardinge married Julia Grimes, and they moved to Lake Forest in 1871. Together, they raised a family of six children—three sons and three daughters. In Lake Forest, Hardinge established a shoe shop at the corner of Deerpath and Oakwood, a location now occupied by a Shell Gas Station. Following a devastating fire in 1883, he relocated his business to Western Avenue, near Westminster.
Hardinge was also a respected member of the community and became an honorary member of the George Alexander McKinlock Jr. Post of the American Legion. He lived a long and full life, passing away at the age of 86 in 1922.
