C.L. Hardwick was a businessman and philanthropist in Cleveland, TN. Hardwick married Clyde Johnston, and the couple had no children.

Hardwick went to work at the Hardwick Stove Foundry in 1898 at age 19. His family-owned Hardwick Clothes, which began as Cleveland Woolen Mills on July 28, 1880. Hardwick Clothes is the oldest continuously operating Made In America clothing company and contributed to the American industry in many ways over the years, including manufacturing uniforms during World War II. He also served as president of the Hardwick Stove Foundry. His business sense was highly individualistic, and he was opposed to labor unions.

Along with being a businessman, Hardwick was a philanthropist. He was a financial contributor to the Cherokee Hotel Foundation and served as the hotel’s first president until 1944. He became a town commissioner in 1931 and served until 1948. He served as the President of Cleveland National Bank, the Vice President of Merchants National Bank and American National Bank and Trust Company in Chattanooga. Hardwick was a charter member of the Cleveland Kiwanis Club, and organizer of Cleveland’s Elks Club, and an organizer (and president) of Cleveland Golf and Country Club. He also made donations to various colleges and churches.

Hardwick purchased a 70-acre farm on North Lee Highway in 1932. The farm grew over the years, and about 1,400 acres eventually became Hardwick farms, which is still run by the family today.  Hardwick raised Aberdeen Angus herds and had 11 winners. He eventually gave up operating the farm because he was very busy running both the farm and foundry.

When Hardwick settled his affairs, he set the to provide for his wife Clyde and about 8 of his employees and left the remainder of his estate in “tax-free bequests to public organizations”.