W. S. Wilcox, second son of Hial Wilcox, was born in Canada, and settled in Rutland in 1849. At the age of twenty-eight he was united in marriage with Eveline Crane, of Rutland. To them have been born four children,--namely, Charles, Maria, Fred, and Chester,--all residing at home except Charles, who is living at Theresa, where he is working at his trade, that of a cabinet-maker. Mr. Wilcox has been in active business, as a manufacturer of furniture and undertaking or the past twenty-seven years, and by close attention to business, strict integrity, and honorable and fair dealing, has won the confidence and secured the patronage of his fellow-townsmen and others. An illustration of his cabinet warehouse and factory can be seen elsewhere in this work.

Phineas Hardy was born in the town of Dublin, Cheshire Co., N. W., Jan. 23, 1705. He was the on of Thomas Hardy, who was born in the town of Hollis, N. H., in the month of June, 1756. He married a Miss Lucy Colburn, a native of New Hampshire, and of English descent. He was one of the early settlers, and may justly be considered among the early pioneers of the town of Dublin, having settled there in the year 1782. He served his country in the dark days and struggles of the Revolution, having served three years a non-commissioned officer under General Stark’s command, and participated in the memorable battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Trenton.

To Thomas Hardy and Lucy Colburn were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom but three survive,--Phineas and two daughters; Lucy, who married Amos Sargent, and Elizabeth, wife of Silas Knowlton.

Phineas resided with his father until the age of nineteen, working upon the farm during the summer and gleaning from their limited schools in winter that knowledge that was to carry him through life’s journey. Thus, at the age of nineteen, thrown upon his own resources with a limited education and a capital of two years’ time, which his father had given him, he concluded to go west to seek his fortune in the wilds of Jefferson Co., N. Y., which at this date, 1814, was considered the far west. Unaided and alone she wended his way to the now thriving city of Watertown, where he hired out as a farm-laborer and served four years. With the earnings of the four years of toil, and later in company with his brother he purchased a farm of 112 acres in the town of Rutland, upon which his nephew, Charles C. Hardy, now resides. Being desirous of dissolving this partnership, and entering upon another more pleasant and profitable, he sold-out to his brother, and on the 24^th day of March, 1822, entered in partnership by marrying Sarah Howland, of Rutland township, a daughter of Richmond Howland. She was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 1, 1797. The result of this partnership was the birth of five children, viz., David, Elias, Mariah, Lucy, and Phineas; all of whom are now living except Lucy, who died at the early age of eight years and five months.

Soon after his marriage, he engaged in the milling business on the Black river, about one mile below the village bearing the same name. After one year, he purchased a farm of 50 acres in the town of Rutland, where he lived nine years, and then removing to Lorraine township, purchased a tract of 200 acres. Remaining here but one year, he sold out at a fair advance, and moved to the town of Le Ray and purchased the farm known as the County-house farm, containing 157 acres, to which he added 76 acres more by purchase. Upon this farm he devoted thirty-two years of life to toil and labor.

In politics Mr.Hardy is a stanch Republican, and in early life belonged to the old Whig party, and during the thirty-two years spent in the town of Le Ray he has had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him by his honorable dealing, strict integrity, and untiring energy. He has been called to fill various town and county offices during his stay in the town. He was elected one of the county superintendents of the poor for Jefferson County; served his town three terms of four years each as justice of the peace; three years as assessor; two years as overseer of the poor; and served the government four years as postmaster of Sanford’s Corners. He was also the first to engage in the manufacture of cheese; which has become so popular throughout the county as its chief product. Phineas Hardy through public and private life has manifested great interest in all matters connected with the cause of education and religious interests, having been an active member in the cause of Christianity since 1833; his wife soon after following in his footsteps. They are now both members of the Stone Street church, in the city of Watertown, a fine city that they have lived to witness grow up out of the once trackless wilderness. Some twelve years since Mr.Hardy retired from active business life, and has purchased himself a neat and comfortable home in the village of Black River, a sketch of which will be found in this work under their portraits.

Phineas Hardy has already passed the allotted time of threescore years and ten, and in his eighty-third year possesses much of the youthful vigor of life, and his wife is still spared to smooth his journey down the hill of life. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1872, and are both held in high esteem by the community in which they reside. (Jefferson County History, L. H. Everts, 1878)