Charles D. Hard
History of the State of Montana, by Joaquim Miller, 1894 

Charles D. Hard, a prominent citizen of Montana, whose 
residence is located near the Montana University, 
four miles north of Helena, was born in Rochester, New 
York, December 20, 1841. His ancestors, Scotch and 
English people were among the early residents of Vermont, 
and his father, Lemuel W. Hard, was born there in 
1805. Mr. Hard's mother, who before her marriage was Mary 
Margaret Gray, was a native of Madison Co. New York 
of Scotch origin. Her family removed to Chicago at an 
early day, being among the first settlers of that city, 
and Charles M. Gray being Mayor of Chicago at one time. 
The father died in 1887, in the eighty-second year of 
his age. 

Charles D. Hard, the oldest of the family, was educated 
in his native city. In 1864 he went by the way of the 
isthmus to San Francisco and accepted a position in the 
store from which supplies were distributed to the soldiers 
stationed at forts near San Francisco. In that position 
he remained three years. In 1867 he came to Montana with 
Mr. Obannon, who received the appointment as Registrar 
of the first land office established in Montana. Mr. Hard 
at this time received the appointment of Deputy Collector 
of Internal Revenues for the Fifth district of Montana, 
served a year in that office, and was then appointed Deputy 
United States Marshal. His principal duties in the 
latter office were to suppress the ilicit traffic in 
whisky, which was carried on by white men with the Indians 
and others, and as can well be imagined he had an arduous 
task on his hands, his life frequently being in danger. 
In the discharge of his duties he made many trips all 
over the northern portion of the country, taking with 
him an 
armed posse and making arrests of desperate, lawless men. 
During the four years he filled that office he succeeded 
to some extent in putting a stop to their lawless traffic. 
He was also special agent for the Interior Department 
for four years, and during this period became widely and 
favorably known by all the best people of the State. 

Mr. Hard was married October 28, 1874, to Mae L. Fisk, a 
native of Rochester, New York. After his marriage he 
purchased 160 acres of land and took a homestead claim 
to eighty acres more, this being the property where he 
now resides, the whole cost of it being $1000.00. He 
built a little home on his land and soon afterward made a 
trip East in order to procure thoroughbred and trotting 
horses. He brought back with him ten fine brood mares and 
two thoroughbred horses, and at once became a successful 
breeder. He had the honor of raising in Montana the first 
registered thoroughbred, "Peek-a-boo" with which he won 
the first Derby race in Montana. He continued raising 
horses for many years. On this subject he is considered 
an authority. 

When the question of locating and building the Montana 
University was brought up, Mr. Hard with his usual enterprise
and liberality, offered to donate forty acres of his land 
and the offer was accepted. He has since erected a 
commodiious residence, built of stone, and in it he and 
his family are surrounded with all the comforts of life. 

His family is composed of four children: Carl B., Letia, 
George Gray and Bessie Chester. With the avenue of higher 
education so convenient for his children, Mr. Hard feels 
amply repaid for his liberality to the college. 

Mr. Hard has always been a reliable member of the 
Republican party. In addition to the offices already mentioned, 
he served as Under Sheriff of Lewis and Clark county 
for two years and also two years as Marshal of Helena. 

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