Hardin was named for Governor C.H. Hardin and was incorporated in 1870 with James Darby as its first mayor. Located on the Santa Fe and Wabash railroads in rich Missouri River bottom land, it grew in an area first settled by the John Vanderpool family, who came from Tennessee in 1815 and settled at Buffalo near the present town of Hardin as the first white settlers west of Grand River. The town is noted for its grain and livestock industry. Forrest Smith, who grew up near Hardin, was Governor of Missouri from 1949 to 1953. Hardin is proud of its fine churches, schools and business establishments.