Colonel John Hardin was born in Virginia and moved to Pennsylvania at the age of 12. He had a lengthy military background, having fought in the Revolutionary War and other engagements. Following the war, Hardin moved to Kentucky and became a successful farmer.
President George Washington relayed word to Hardin through Gen. James Wilkinson in April 1792, asking Hardin to travel northward from Kentucky through what is now Shelby County to negotiate peace with the Shawnee Indians. The message read in part:
“To all the tribes south of the (Great) Lakes, east of the Mississippi and northwest of the Ohio (river): Brothers – The President of the United States (George Washington) entertains the opinion that the war which exists is founded in error and mistake on your part. That you believe that the United States wants to deprive you of their lands and drive you out of the country. Be assured that this is not so; on the contrary we should be greatly gratified with the opportunity of imparting to you all the blessings of civilized life, of teaching you to cultivate corn, to raise oxen, sheep, and other domestic animals; to build comfortable houses; so as ever to dwell upon the land.”
Hardin reluctantly agreed to perform the mission because he was known to the Shawnee as a fighting enemy. Two men accompanied him on the journey north. When they reached an area just west of what is now Sidney, they encountered a small group of Shawnee who, learning of their mission, agreed to set up camp together. That night Hardin and one of his men were murdered by the Shawnee.
There is a monument in the community of Hardin marking the approximate location of Hardin’s death. The community is named after the colonel and was platted in 1816. It became Shelby County’s first county seat until Sidney was chosen in 1820.