Interim Content

Hardin, John J.

Biography

6 Jan. 1810–23 Feb. 1847. Lawyer, politician, military officer. Born in Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky. Son of Martin D. Hardin and Elizabeth Logan. Moved to Lawrenceburg, Franklin Co., by 1820. Married Sarah E. Smith, 13 Jan. 1831, in Mercer Co., Kentucky. Admitted to Kentucky bar, 1831, and began law practice in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Illinois. Served in Illinois militia during Black Hawk War, 1831–1832. Appointed prosecuting attorney for Morgan Co., 1832. Member of Illinois House of Representatives, 1836–1842. Represented Illinois in U.S. House of Representatives, 1843–1845. Brigadier general of Illinois militia; sent to arrest men charged with killing JS and Hyrum Smith, ca. Oct. 1844. Led state militia sent to quell unrest in Hancock Co., Sept. 1845; brokered peace between church leaders and church opponents. Served in Mexican War. Killed at Battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, 23 Feb. 1847. Buried in Jacksonville.

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