Charles Henry Hardin

 Born July 15, 1820 - Died July 29, 1892

Charles Henry Hardin was an American politician.

Hardin was born on July 15th, 1820 in Trimble County, Kentucky. Shortly after he was born, his family moved to Columbia, Missouri. In 1830, his father passed away and Hardin went to work for the family tannery business.

In 1837, Hardin enrolled in Indiana University Bloomington. In 1839 he transferred to the University of Miami where he graduated in 1841. After graduation he read law in Colombia and passed the bar. He opened a private practice in Fulton, Missouri.

In 1848, Hardin began his public service as an attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit. Afterward he served in the Missouri House of Representatives. In 1860 he was elected to the Missouri State Senate. In the Senate he was the only Senator to vote against secession. Once the American Civil War started he returned to the family farm. During the war he moved to Mexico, Missouri where he established the Mexico Southern bank just before the end of the war.

In 1872, Hardin returned to the Missouri State Senate. In 1874 he was elected as the 22nd Governor of Missouri. During his term he reduced Missouri's war debt and funded railroad expansion. He did this by ending wasteful practices and refinancing bonds.

Hardin also was the founder and board chair of Hardin College.

Hardin passed away on July 29th, 1892.

Hardin was a member of Fulton Lodge No. 48 in Fulton, Missouri.