Kenton, the county seat was established near Fort McArthur during the War of 1812. At one time the town had the largest wire fence factory in the country.
Hardin County also holds the distinction of being the home of Jacob Parrott, the first recipient of the Medal of Honor. Private Jacob Parrott of the 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the youngest member of "Andrews Raiders" received the medal on March 25, 1863. The Medal awarded to Private Parrott is on permanent display at the Capitol in Washington D.C.
Agricultural products in the county include soybeans. Other principle industries are; machinery, transportation equipment, chemicals, fabricated metals, railroad cars, tank trucks, trailers, aircraft parts, hydroelectric equipment, sporting equipment and phenolic molding compounds.
The Mad River and Lake Erie RR (running from Sandusky to Cincinnati) which later became part of the Big Four system (Originally the Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati and St.Louis,later part of the New York Central system), began construction in 1845 and began operation in 1846. The village of Patterson on this RR was founded in 1846 and Hudson,later known as Silvercreek was founded the same year. Grant was founded as a coaling station for the railway shortly after. Finally, Yelverton, also located on this now abandoned railway, was settled in 1858.
The second period of founding of new villages began with the construction of the Chicago and Atlantic RR beginning in 1882. This railroad, now known as the Erie ran essentially parallel with the PFTW&C (Penna) to the north. With the coming of the railroad several small towns sprang up. The town of Hepburn was laid out in 1882 when the railroad purchased 200 acres of gravel laden land to use for the ballasting of the new line. In 1883,a mile and 1/2 to the west the town of Wheeler, later becoming Pfeiffer Station was founded. To the west of Kenton the town of Oakland was founded in 1886, later changing its name to Foraker after the then Governor of Ohio. Continuing along the Erie in October of 1882 the town of Jagger was founded. It is now known as Alger.
One other very interesting period of development must be mentioned. Although we might think that today is the period of land development, the years of 1836 and 1837 should be examined. On March 9, 1836 the town of Peru was platted and recorded. Containing 90 lots with a large public square its location was on the rangeline road between Cessna and Pleasant Townships. The Governer of Rhode Island paid $300 for one of the lots. Then on July 13, 1836 the town of St. Michael's was platted. Containing 125 lots it was located east of Kenton on what is now SR309 at the intersection of the Sandusky road.
On May 7, 1835, the town of Armorsville was platted containing 96 lots. This village was to be located in the extreme northwest corner of Liberty Township, the NW corner of the plat being almost opposite the County Line Church. Geneva, containing 42 lots was platted on September 30, 1837 and was located in Pleasant township. The village of Huntersville was platted June 21, 1836 and became a thriving community after the founding of Ada and the traffic between Lima, Ada and Kenton increased through the community.
There were other villages such as Holden, Maysville, Jumbo and Jump that lived prosperous lives and then disappeared existing now only as names on a map. And some don't even rate a name today. Example. 2 and 1/2 miles south of Dola was the thriving village of Blocktown. In 1873 the town had a post office; a general store; blacksmiths shop; cider-press; a sawmill. a church and several houses. Today all that remains is St. John's Evangelical Church.
Probably forgot to mention that Maysville was also known as Dempster PO and Silvercreek was first named Hudson, more trivia. Keep up the great work on the AdaNet--Quite a few expatriates down here in the land of no snow.
Jim Hooper, Sanibel Island FL.