Obituary of Benjamin Akers Hardaway
from
Central Methodist Advocate, Jan 27, 1910 p. 15
on file at Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro, Kentucky

Benjamin Akers Hardaway was born February 26, 1830.  Died December 18, 1909.  He was married to Miss Susan Wisehart December 8, 1853.  To this union there were born six children: Robert Morris, William Emmet, Ethel, Florence, Frank and Hugh.  The two former are successful ministers in the Methodist Church both having graduated from the Biblical Department of Vanderbilt University.

The whole family is a highly respected one and is well known in Methodist circles.  Brother Hardaway was converted under the ministry of Rev. John W. Rhodes and has spent almost his entire life as a member and faithful laborer in the Bewleyville Church.  By those who know him best he is pronounced one of the most faithful Christians.  The weather was never to disagreeable or roads too rough for him   to attend his church services.  He has held important official positions in the Church an always gave efficient and fruitful service.  Bro. T. J. Jolly our present Sunday school superintendent says: "He was not only one of the best men we had, but the best."  Truly, this, our dear brother is not dead but lives now and will continue to live in the influence of an unselfish life surrendered to the Master and to His holy cause.

The writer has just returned form a pastoral visit to his companion and faithful helpmeet, who stood by his side for fifty-six years.  It was good to talk and pray with one who is truly one of God's elect, a woman who has given two sons to the ministry and with the husband, raised a family to take places of trust and usefulness in life.  May our heavenly Father's richest blessings rest upon Sister Hardaway, in her sorrow, and make her declining years the happiest and best of her life.

The funeral services were conducted by the writer assisted by the pastor of the Baptist church at Bewleyville, Rev. Breton.  The burial was in the old Hardaway burial ground, near Brother Blandford's.  Thank God for holy men like Brother Hardaway.  We shall meet him again in the better country where there'll be no more separations, no more good byes.  His pastor,

L. K. May.
Irvington, Ky.