Biography of R G Hardin, Mississippi Co, AR ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. Submitted by: Michael Brown Date: Sep 1998 ********************************************************************* Bibliography: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern Arkansas. Chicago: Goodspeed Publishers, 1890. R. G. Hardin. For a period now closely approaching a quarter of a century, this highly honored resident of Chickasawba Township has been identified with the interests of Mississippi County, his settlement here dating from about 1865. He came to Osceola, Ark., by boat, in 1861, and in July of the same year he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and proved a gallant soldier during the Rebellion. He became first lieutenant in Capt. Charles Bowen's company, and with him participated in the battles of Port Hudson, Champion's Hill and others. After the battle of Shiloh, Capt. Bowen resigned his position, and Mr. Hardin was chosen captain, and in this capacity served in and around Vicksburg and was also at Jackson. About this time he was promoted to the command of Company E, Ninth Arkansas Infantry, and was in all the battles of the Georgia campaign, but at Gadsden, Ala., on account of ill health, he was compelled to resign his position and return to Mississippi County, Ark. His youthful days, up to the age of about sixteen years, were spent at [p.509] Rome, in which place he acquired a fair knowledge of the common branches, and he then engaged in flatboating, continuing this occupation for a number of years, after which he acted as pilot for some time. After his return to Arkansas in September, 1864, he opened a boot and shoe store in Osceola, which he conducted with fair success nearly ten years, then purchasing a farm on Pemiscot Bayou, but three years later removed to his present farm, which is situated one mile northwest of Blythesville and embraces a tract of eighty acres, thirty-five being then under cultivation. He has made all the improvements, such as building fences, setting out orchards, etc., and his land is capable of yielding one bale of cotton to the acre. He also raises some stock. On the 28th of February, 1864, he was married to Miss P. A. Trout, a native of Indiana, and by her has had the following children: Nora, who died September 5, 1888; Ida, who died in infancy; Ara, Nina, Lou, who died at the age of four years; Samuel T., Emma (deceased), Robert G., John, who died at the age of two years; Herman, and Olga. Mr. Hardin is a member of Chickasawba Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M., and was a charter member of Osceola Lodge, and in company with Dr. Fearing and Capt. Bennett went to Jonesboro for examination to secure the dispensation. He was afterward Master of the latter lodge for a number of years, which position he has also filled in the Chickasawba Lodge for a long period. He has always been interested in educational matters, and is now serving as school director. He was the fourth of five children born to Mark and Lavina (Lamb) Hardin, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively; the former was a trader by occupation, and ran a produce boat on the river. He died in 1837, and his wife in 1851.