Wm. Moir. 1911, reprint Unigraphics, Evansville IN, 1978
1051 pp, index, 6.5"x9.5" light brown cloth with slight wear, marks to endpage
The book originally was published as a two vol set. This reprint both volumes were combined into one volume. Compiled with Hon. William J. Moir serving as editor-in-chief, the work spans over 1,000 pages and serves as a classic turn-of-the-century "mug book," designed to document both the institutional evolution of the county and the personal lineages of its prominent citizens. The book is structured into two primary focus areas:
Historical & Social Progress: This section provides a detailed account of the county’s physical transformation from untamed prairie and wilderness into an organized agricultural and industrial hub. It covers early Euro-American settlement, native interactions, the establishment of early schools and churches, township organizations, and the development of local infrastructure like the railway systems. It emphasizes the social climate, hardships, and community efforts of the 19th-century pioneers.
Biographical Memoirs: The substantial genealogical portion of the text consists of hundreds of multi-generational biographical sketches of representative Hardin County citizens and early families. These records include detailed data regarding birthplaces (frequently tracing back to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Germany, and England), migration routes, land ownership, political affiliations, church memberships, and complete lists of descendants.
The present-day incorporated cities and census-designated communities located within Hardin County are Ackley, Alden, Buckeye, Eldora, Garden City, Hubbard, Iowa Falls, New Providence, Owasa, Radcliffe, Steamboat Rock, Union, and Whitten.
The county seat is Eldora.