My Genealogy Hound

John Huffman Hardin, president of Christian University, was born November 1, 1848, in Trimble County, Ky. His parents were poor, and he received but little education in youth, but afterward acquired a collegiate classical education by his own efforts. In September, 1868, after having attended a high school in his own county for two terms, he taught a country school, and then spent three years in Kentucky University. He then became professor in Columbia (Kentucky) College, where he continued the study of Greek and other branches under the president of the institution. He afterward further continued his studies in Missouri University. In August, 1864, he became a member of the Christian Church, and began preaching before he was twenty years of age. In 1871 he was ordained to the ministry, and served one year as evangelist for the Eighth Missionary District of Kentucky, and then was pastor at Columbia, one year. After two years at Madison, Ind., he was pastor for two years at Mexico, Mo. While attending Missouri University he was chosen Sunday-school evangelist for the Christian Church in Missouri, and continued in this position for four years. He resigned this work in 1882 to become pastor of the Christian Church at Hannibal, Mo., and in June,, 1886, accepted his present position. The institution is already greatly improved under his management. December 8, 1870, he married Willie A. Doolin, of Lexington, Ky. Their children are Mattie C., William Q. and Allie L. The Disciple of Christ, a prominent church periodical published at Cincinnati, says, “Mr. Hardin is a constant reader and close student of the Bible, and most of his themes are suggested by the Scriptures themselves. His sermons are carefully written, for fullness of thought and freshness of phraseology, yet they are generally delivered without the aid of manuscript. His delivery is graceful, at least easy and natural. His style is plain, illustrative, sympathetic and hortatory. He has been quite successful as a preacher to children. He devotes much time to pastoral visitation, and considers it a great aid to his ministerial success.” He is now approaching the prime of life, and in his chosen double work, that of preaching the gospel and the education of the young, he has before him a career of usefulness calculated to inspire the heart of any enthusiastic man to noble efforts.