Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-08-04
vice Of six years eonsecutively in the

uistflct composed pf Galloway and
Boone counties, and by a large ma.
iority. In the formation of the
Senate committee he was given the
first position of that body, the chair.
manship of the judiciary committee
In 1861 Mr.. Hardin removed from
Fulton to this city, where he has
ever since resided. He, for a time,
withdrew altogether from politics
and devoted himself exclusively tc
the practice of law and the discharge
of his duties as private citizen.
Although his legal practice was large
for many years he had vast amount
Of other peoples business on hand,
and as administrator, executor,
trustee or guardian, he wound up
many large estates with satisfaction
and profit to the parties interested,
and credit to himself. In 1871 Mr..
Hardin retired from the practice OF
law. One year later he was elected
to the State Senate from the district
composed of Audrain, Boone and
Galloway counties and was again
made chairman of the judiciary
committee, and in addition to this
he was made chairman of the COM
mittee on the Lunatic Asylum.
Soon his name became promi.
nently mentioned for the Office of
Governor, and although he had de-
cided to retire from public life,
when the convention met, in 1874,
he was nominated for that distin-
guished position. Presented with
this fattering testimonial of the
appreciation in which be was held for
his high character and executive
ability, he accepted the nomination
of his party and was duly elected,
receiving a majority of nearly 40,-
600. His administration marked the
inauguration of an era in which, by
economy, retrenchment and reform,
he credit of the State, impaired by
previous recklessness and misman-
agement, was entirely restored,
and her bonds from being hawked
about in the market at ninety-five
cents on the dollar, rose to seven per
cent. above par. 1t is conceded
by all that his administration was
one of the best, not only in point Of
financial management, but in the
maintenance of law and order, and
the general character and dignity
of the commonwealth, ever known
in its history. After the expiration
OF his term as chief executive oi
the State, Gov. Hardin returned to
this city and has since been living
in retirement, blessed with all the
substantial comforts of life, and in
the enjoyment of the esteem of the
people. Gov. Hardin's whole life
has been characterized by unceasing
industry and answering integrity.
By economy and good management
he has accumulated large estate.
This has come to him, not that he
has made the acquisition of wealth a
controlling aim of life, but rather as
the result of industry and economy.
Gov. Hardin had long been a men,
ber of the Baptist church, and his
life has been in strict accord with
the faith he professed, or as nearly
so as frail humanity supported by an
honest heart and clear intelligence
can approach. He was a man of
large and generous charities. His
connection with Hardin College is
known wherever the reputation of
that able aud successful institution
has gone. A true friend to educa-
ton, and as charitable as he was
liberal-minded, he was chiefly in
strumental in founding the college in
this city, which now bears his name.
He first endowed II with nearly
$50, 900 in land and well secured
notes, making safe provisions for
the proper management Of the funds
for the future. After the erection OF
the building, ETC., sum was left
which now brings to the institution
in interest about SO, 600 annually.
Several years ago Gov. Hardin made
another donation to this institution
amounting to $1S,750 in cash.
Gov. and Mrs. Hardin had no
children. At the time of death Mr..
Hardin was president of the South
ern Bank of Mexico.
When Daniel Webster Was ssOff."
Ben: Perley Poore's "reminiscences. -
In his day Mr.. Webster had Q