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Note: "Kerr County 1856-1965" states "the Hardin Family was one of the first families to settle in Kerr County". (Anita Gayle Mangold Berlin) The following was written by his daughter-in-law, Sybil Jones (Hardin), wife of Alvin Hardin. William Calvin Hardin had 4 sisters and 7 brothers. This family of twelve children grew up with their parents on a farm and ranch in several places in Texas. The last was at Segovia, Texas, near Junction. The parents were devout Baptist and served the Lord all the days of their lives. It seemed only natural that William Calvin would become a Baptist minister at a very early age of about twenty one. He married Annie Elizabeth Eller, of Oklahoma, on June 2, 1886, in Kerrville, Texas. Rev. Hardin had acquired some land in Southwestern Oklahoma (maybe by Land Grant, purchase, or gift); but, he had no money to build a house. He and his wife, Annie, were determined to live on that land so they dug a "dug-out". A "dug-out" is an underground room with a cover over it. Many of the early settlers started out this way. This part of Oklahoma has a very high altitude and is extremely dry. A "dug-out" stayed arm in the winter and cool in the summer. This was their home, their very own, and they were very happy! Rev. Hardin put in a wheat crop and started raising cattle. Every Sunday that came he preached someplace to a few of many. Most of the time it was probably a few because in 1886 that part of Oklahoma was very sparsely settled. In time, he made enough money to build a small room above the "dug-out". It became the kitchen and general family room. The "dug-out" continued to be the bedroom. But it was comfortable and warm in winter when those howling north winds blew and ice and snow piled high. They were all healthy and happy. Years later they finally built a house as their family grew. They became the parents of twelve children. All lived to be a ripe old age except Manford Rudolph who died quite young. It was not too many years until Rev. Hardin became known throughout western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle and he had preached and held revivals in many places. Finally, he decided to buy a large tent and he went many places holding revivals. By this time his sons were nearly grown and as they had been well-trained in running the farm and ranch they could carry on while their father was away. Their mother, Annie, was a good wife, a good mother, and one who could superintend the work and keep law and order among the children in the absence of her husband. In later years, Rev. Hardin was called as a full-time pastor for the Baptist in Crawford, Oklahoma. He also put in a General Store. As his congregation paid him a salary he put it away separately and finally when enough was accumulated he built a new church building in Crawford. The years sped by and all of the children had married and only Reubin, Alvin, Lillian, and Hubert remained at home. Rev. Hardin decided to move to Texas so he moved to Segovia (near Junction) and bought a ranch. They lived on this ranch until the close of World War I. Now that William Calvin's health was failing, he decided he needed a warmer climate for his aching bones. After all, Texas Hill County can get very cold in the wintertime. He went south of Uvalde, Texas in 1925 and bought a small truck farm at Batesville, Texas. He operated this truck farm as long as he was physically able. He passed away on October 5, 1935, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Batesville, Texas. He and his wife, Annie, were true pioneers. They lived, loved, brought up their family in the ways of the Lord, and brought Jesus Christ into the hearts of many, many people during their near 50 years of married life. Rev. Hardin could truly say, as did the Apostle Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith". This was truly a pioneer family with all the stamina, honesty, hard work, and a faith in God that builds a great nation. 1900 census - Day County, OK William Hardin 34 f July 1865 TX Ark Ark Annie E. " 31 m Apr 1869 TX MO KY Frances M. " 18 f Apr 1882 TX TX TX David U. " 15 m July 1884 TX TX TX Martha P. " 27 f May 1873 TX TX TX William A. " 8 f Oct 1888 TX TX TX Ernest E. " 6 f Oct 1888 TX TX TX Holbert L. " 6 f Oct 1888 TX TX TX Samuel Eller 6 f Oct 1888 TX TX TX
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