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The records fail to make it clear who it was
who first established the family fortunes upon the Pacific coast, but it is
known beyond a doubt that at least three generations have flourished in
California, particularly in Sonoma county. The grandparents of the gentleman
whose name heads this sketch, William J. and Rebecca Hardin, came to Sonoma
county about 1849. In 1859 their son Marcus (the father of our subject) was
born on the homestead in this county near Petaluma. The district schools of the
time and the faithful training of his parents all contributed to the well-being
of Marcus Hardin, and upon attaining manhood years he emulated his worthy
father in the maintenance of a ranch property, and after his marriage settled
on the homestead ranch. In maidenhood his wife was Miss Lulu Rodehaver, who was
also a native of Sonoma county, born in 1865. They now live retired in
Petaluma.
The only child born of the marriage of Marcus and Lulu (Rodehaver)
Hardin, was Jefferson R. Hardin, who was born on the family homestead in Sonoma
county November 10, 1883. Although reared and educated in the same locality
which had supplied the foundation of his father's life training the passing of
years had witnessed a progress in advantages which the earlier generation knew
not of, and it therefore followed that J. R. Hardin was the recipient of good
school advantages, which he appreciated, applying himself diligently to his
school tasks, as he did in fact to whatever he gave his attention. This trait
was equally noticeable in the performance of his duties about the home ranch,
and by the time he had reached maturity had crystallized into a habit or
principle from which he has never deviated, and which undoubtedly has been the
keynote of his success. The fine appearance of his ranch marks him as a man of
untiring energy and as one who is familiar with all branches of agriculture
carried on in this section of country. Seven miles north of Petaluma he has a
ranch of three hundred and fifty-five acres of choice land, of which two
hundred are under cultivation to hay and grain, while the remainder of the land
is used as pasturage for fifty head of cows and young stock, eight head of
horses and fifteen hogs, besides which he has a poultry industry which numbers
three thousand chickens. Mr. Hardin has every reason to be proud of the success
that has been his thus far, and the coming years have every possibility for
even greater success.
In 1904 a marriage ceremony was performed in Petaluma
that united the destinies of J. R. Hardin and Nellie Tonini, who was born in
Marin county, Cal., and their home has been brightened by the birth of two
sons, Marcus Jefferson and Ray Rolla. Mrs. Hardin is a daughter of Bernardo and
Caroline (Dolcini) Tonini, both natives of Switzerland, born respectively in
1841 and 1845. Five children, two sons and three daughters, were born to them
as follows: Bernardo, Eugene, Nellie, Ida and Erma. The eldest son, Bernardo,
married Miss May Cope; Ida is the wife of Peter Pronzini, and the mother of two
children; and Nellie is Mrs. Hardin. Politically Mr. Hardin is a Democrat. He
is a liberal contributor to all projects that tend to upbuild the community or
add to the comforts of those less fortunate than himself. Although he is a hard
worker he is a strong believer in the adage that "all work and no play makes
Jack a dull boy" and when occasion permits he indulges his love for hunting and
fishing.
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