Petersburg Observer, Nov. 8, 1879

Died
At his home in Petersburg, on Saturday, Nov. 1st at 6 o'clock p.m. of dropsy of the chest, Hardin Bale, aged sixty-three years. Mr. Bale was a native of Green County, Ky., but has been a resident and identified with the business of Menard county for over forty years. He built and operated the first csrding mill in this part of the state, at Old Salem, somewhere in the thirties, and since 1841 has been a resident and active business man in Petersburg, and to his enterprise and public spirit is due much of the success of the town in an early day. Mr. Bale was universally esteemed and respected by all who knew him, both as a good citizen and an upright business man, and leaves a large circle of personal friends to mourn his death. The funeral services were conducted in the Baptist church on Monday the 3d last, at two o'clock p.m. by Rev. J.P. Curry, and were attended by a large concourse of relatives and friends. The remains were interred in the South Hill cemetery.

Contributed by: Judy Hurdle