William Hardin

Hardin was an early settler in Texas, arriving in Liberty County in 1828 when he fled an indictment for murder along with his brothers. The governor of Tennessee attempted to extradite Hardin twice, and he escaped custody both times. He lived in Anahuac and Liberty, serving as alcalde of both towns as well as postmaster and judge in Liberty. After the war, he guarded a number of Mexican prisoners at his plantation, including General Martin Perfecto de Cos. Hardin was one of the original investors in the Galveston City Company and moved to the island, where he died of Yellow Fever in 1839. Hardin County and Hardin, Tex., were named for the Hardin family.