James Hard

James Albert Hard (July 15, 1843 - March 12, 1953) was the last verified living Union combat veteran of the American Civil War, and a candidate to be the oldest living man in the world when he died. Though he claimed to have been born in 1841, research in 2006 found that the 1850 Census indicated a birthdate of 1843.

He died in Rochester, New York, at the claimed age of 111. Census research indicates, however, that he was probably a year or two younger and may have inflated his age to gain service. He is recorded as having joined the Union army on May 14, 1861, aged '19.' The 1850,  1910 and 1920 censuses, however, indicate that he was born in 1843 and 1842.

Hard is reported to have fought as an infantryman in the 37th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the battles of First Bull Run, Antietam, and Chancellorsville, and to have met Abraham Lincoln at a White House reception.

At the age of 109 years, 240 days, he holds the record for the oldest verified man born in 1843.