HARDEN BALE, woolen manufacturer, Petersburg; son of Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth Bale, who were among the first white settlers of Menard Co. They located near where the town of Petersburg now stands, in 1830, and did much for the development of the country. In 1833, he bought a small grist-mill, which he operated; here the son learned the business, and built a large mill, also a carding-mill, and when the country settled and the demand for flour and the working of wool was such as to justify it, he built a large woolen and flouring mill, of two sets of buhrs and twelve looms; here he did an extensive and flourishing business until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt it, and is now operating a woolen-mill of the capacity of a two-set respected citizen. He was born in Green Co., Ky., Oct. 2, 1816; he came with his parents to this county in 1830, and well remembers when this was a wild and desolate country, inhabited by roving bands of Indians, with now and then an adventurous pioneer. The school advantages were limited, but, by home study and business experience, he has obtained a good business education. He has twice married - first to Miss Esther Summers, Sept. 18, 1839; she died Feb. 7, 1872, leaving a family of ten children; Feb. 20, 1879, he married Mrs. Sarah E. Shuman, of Louisville, Ky.