Submitter’s note: This account of the Clarence Hardin family’s years taking care of the Brown County Farm was given to the Brown County History Center Archives by the Rev. Paul Hardin, son of Rev. Clarence and Mamie Hamlin Hardin. Paul refers to this family experience as “the good ole days.”
The Reverend Clarence and Mamie Hardin and six of their children lived in and ran the Brown County Farm from 1952 to 1958. Rev. Hardin was the superintendent of the county home. Several elderly residents lived there, also.
The county home was established early in the history of Brown County. County homes were for people who weren’t able to really work a paying job, either for a physical or mental challenge, and didn’t have family to help them. The Hardin family treated the residents like they were their family. Mamie had everyone eat their meals at the same table.
The chores were many in keeping a working farm running. The residents assisted with the many chores such as gardening, hay cutting and stacking. The stacking was all done with pitchforks. The women helped, too. Everybody worked.
Most of the food was raised on the county farm: Beef, pork and poultry as well as a large garden. Potatoes and all varieties of vegetables were grown, canned or stored for winter supplies. About the only store-bought foods were cereals and seasonings.
Mat (Martha) Pittman’s son, Raymond Pittman, had the job of gardening. He also took care of the hogs and the chickens.
Gus Ikes cared for the cattle, daily feeding and milking chores.
Chud Wilson took charge of the horses, their feeding, harnessing and driving them when the team was needed.
Churning butter, canning and preserving the food was done by Mamie Hardin with the help of Nellie Wilson.
There were no inside bathrooms initially. The inside plumbing with showers and commodes was installed later.
When Hardin’s eight years ended, Clarence Hardin returned to his job as a stone mason. During his eight years as superintendent of the county farm, Clarence continued to pastor the Green Valley Apostolic Church.
The beautiful building that now houses the Brown County school superintendent’s office is the former Brown County farm/home.
Submitted by Pauline Hoover, Brown County Historical Society
