My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

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 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.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 162 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Mississippi County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Mississippi County, Arkansas family biographies here: Mississippi County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Mississippi County, Arkansas here: Mississippi County, Arkansas Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.