"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Jeremiah TINDER, deceased, was born in Woodford County, Ky., Nov. 19, 1808. He was married Jan. 27, 1831, to Catherine RADFORD, and to them were born five children, all of whom are living--Simeon Dudley, in Platte County, Mo.; John William, and James Franklin, of Hendricks County, Ind.; Huldah Jane, wife of W.E. CRAWFORD, living in Labette County, Kan., and Samuel Martin, in Shawnee County, Kan. Mrs. TINDER died in 1841, and Mr. TINDER was married to Mrs. Delilah Ann WELLS, of Kentucky, April 2, 1843. To this union were born two children--Annie E. and Jeremiah, both deceased. Mr. TINDER came to this county in 1834, settling in Marion Township, near Danville, where he lived till his death, Dec. 6, 1874. His father was a native of Scotland and his mother was a native of Germany. Their children were--Joel, Jesse, Jeremiah, Martin, Lydia, Dicy and Susan. On coming to this country his father first settled in Virginia, and from there moved to Shelby County, Ky.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

John W. TINDER was born in Marion Township, this county, Jan. 22, 1835. He obtained his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm till he was twenty-two years old. He then married, Feb. 5, 1857, Laura, daughter of William F. and Jane (CRAWFORD) HAMRICK, of Marion Township, and to them were born two children--James William, born March 3, 1858; died March 9, of the same year, and Carrie, born Feb. 11, 1862; died Jan. 18, 1863. They have reared several children. Linnie Wallen, now living with them, was taken at the age of nine years. After his marriage Mr. TINDER purchased a farm of eighty acres in Marion Township, where he farmed till June, 1862, when he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry under Colonel L.S. Shuler and served over three years. He was wounded in the leg at Bardstown, Ky., which disabled him for two months. He was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Murfreesboro and Jonesboro raid, and was mustered out with his regiment in September, 1865. After the war he returned to Marion Township, where he farmed till August, 1867, since which he has resided in Danville, where he owns a fine home and three acres of ground on Main street. He also owns 140 acres in Marion Township, most of which he has rented. Mr. TINDER and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held the office of County Commissioner by re-election since 1877, his present term expiring in 1889. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge, and was representative to the Grand Lodge one year. He has been Quartermaster of the G.A.R. Post since its origin in 1883.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Elder Erasmus D. THOMAS was born in Harrison Township, Fayette County, Ind., Nov. 13, 1821. He was reared a farmer, receiving his early education in the schools of his native county. When nineteen years of age he began teaching school and taught in his own district three winters. He was married March 16, 1843, to Mary G. THOMPSON, a native of Warren County, Ohio, born Feb. 17, 1825, a daughter of Wilson THOMPSON, a minister of the Regular Baptist church, and widely known for his successful ministry and prominent work in political circles, being two terms a member of the Indiana Legislature, and at one time a candidate for Congress from his district. After his marriage Mr. THOMAS engaged in farming in Fayette and Tipton counties for seven years. In 1849 he embraced Christianity, and united with the Regular Baptist church. He very soon felt it his duty to devote his life to the work of his divine Master, and began preparatory studies for the ministry. In May, 1851, he was ordained at Williams Creek church, Fayette County, and the next two years were spent in that county. In the fall of 1853 he was called to the pastorate of the church at Big Run, Marion Co., Ind., and now for a period of nearly thirty-two years he has had charge of that parish, although at the same time he has had the care of other churches. He now has charge of four--Big Run, Mount Pleasant, Danville and Palestine. He lived in Franklin Township, Marion County, till October, 1863, when he moved to Hendricks County, and has since lived in Center Township, on section 30, where he owns a good farm of 140 acres, which is carried on by his sons. His wife died May 17, 1870, leaving a family of ten children--John A., a minister of the Christian church, located at Columbus, Ohio; Charles, an attorney of Bedford, Iowa; Lewis E., a minister of the Regular Baptist church, at Ashley, Ohio; William, of Eel River Township; Albert M., with his father; Erasmus W., of this township; Edward D., of California; Marshall, at home; Mrs. Phoebe E. MORGAN, of Taylor County, Iowa, and  Mrs. Hattie M. TINDER, of this township. May 17, 1871, Mr. THOMAS married Mrs. Mary E. HOLCOMB, a native of Posey County, Ind., born Oct. 8, 1845, widow of Tillman Holcomb, and daughter of James ROSBOROGH   She has one son by her first marriage--Aubrey Holcomb. Five children were born to this marriage--Harvey C., Joseph (deceased), Frank W., Mary and Raymond. Elder THOMAS is a son of David F. and Phoebe THOMAS, natives of Tompkins County, N.Y., and early settlers of Fayette County, Ind. His father was a hero of the war of 1812. His mother died in Fayette County in 1872, aged seventy-eight years, and his father in this township in October, 1882, aged eighty-eight years. His grandfather, Miner THOMAS, was a minister of the Regular Baptist church in New York, and  moved to Fayette County, Ind., in 1821, where he lived till his death, in July, 1830. He was in the active work of the ministry about forty years, and administered the rite of baptism to over 1,200 persons.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Henry G. TODD, M.D., was born in Louisville, Ky., April 7, 1811, a son of Rev. John and Sarah (SODA) TODD. When he was about thirteen years of age his parents removed to Charleston, Ind., and from there to Paris, Ky., about 1828. He attended the common schools until his eighteenth year, when he entered the office of Dr. John B. Duke, at Paris, to study medicine, and studied with him until attending lectures in the Transylvania University at Lexington in the winter of 1830-'31, after which, in the summer of 1831, he began to practice in Danville, Ind., where for fifty-three years he was been in uninterrupted practice, with the exception of one year--1856--when he lived in Indianapolis. He has for many years been a member of medical societies of the county and State, and was the first President of the Hendricks County Medical Society, which position he held many terms. In the winter of 1849-'50 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of the State of Indiana, and was a member of the House of Representatives in the Indiana State Legislature in the year 1854. Politically, he was originally a Whig, but since the organization of the Republicans he has affiliated with that party. Sept. 18, 1834, he was married to Serena, daughter of William and Sarah (RICHARDS) HENTON, of Danville. They have five children--Minerva, wife of William M. STEELE, of Reno, Ill.; William Addison, a physician, of Chariton, Iowa; Laura, wife of Joseph OHEAVES, of Rockville, Ind.; Marshall, a druggist, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Henrietta, still at home. Dr. and Mrs. TODD are members of the Presbyterian church at Danville, of which he has been a Ruling Elder about forty-five years.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

John A. MILES, one of the leading farmers of Liberty Township, was born on the old homestead in this township, Dec. 29, 1844, a son of John and Elizabeth (HOLLINGSHEAD) MILES. He was reared on the farm, and received a good education, completing it at the High Schools of Belleville and Danville. Attaining his majority he began life for himself and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has been one of the most successful stock-raisers of the county, and has a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs.  His farm contains 700 acres of land, situated on the National Road, in a high state of cultivation. His residence, a large two-story brick, built in 1876, is a model of convenience and architectural beauty. His farm buildings are among the best in the township. Mr. MILES was married in 1873 to Flora, daughter of W.H. FRITTS, of Owen County, Ind. They have four children--Victoria M., Nettie R., Mattie E. and John. Mr. MILES is a member of Belleville Lodge, No. 65, F. & A.M.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

John BAILEY, son of Peter and Elizabeth BAILEY, was born in Butler County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1827. When he was six years old his parents moved to Shelby County, Ind. His father was twice married, and has six children surviving by his first wife--Nicholas, Susan, John, Lydia, Henry and Absalom; and two children by his second wife--George F. and Saloma. Our subject was reared to maturity in Shelby County, and was there married in October, 1847, to Catherine ENDY, and to them were born four children--Elizabeth, Eve A., Marian, and Sarah (deceased). Mrs. BAILEY died in January, 1856, and Mr. BAILEY married for his second wife, Rebecca J. REED in July, 1856. Nine children were born to this union, seven now living--Mary M., George W., Peter N., Susan E., Minetta, Nora E. and Eddie. In 1862 Mr. BAILEY came to Hendricks County and settled in Union Township, where he owns eighty acres of land, all of which is well cultivated. Politically Mr. BAILEY is a Democrat.

History of Hendricks County, Indiana Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co.- Profiles of Union Twp.
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Robert W. BLAKE was born Dec. 8, 1825, in Stokes County, N.C., a son of John and Elizabeth BLAKE. His parents came to Putnam County, Ind., about the year 1830, remaining there till 1849, when they moved to Hendricks County and settled in Eel River Township, where the father died in April, 1857. Robert W. BLAKE was reared to manhood on a farm amid the scenes of pioneer life. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer, and now owns 180 acres of land all of which is in a good state of cultivation. He was married May 21, 1854, to Miss Sarah F. SPEARS, who died in June, 1867, leaving two children---Benjamin K. and Narcissa M. Mr. BLAKE married for his second wife, Miss Letie HARBERT, by whom he had two children--George R. and Wilmetta (deceased). Mr. BLAKE settled in Union Township in the fall of 1854. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co.- Profiles of UnionTwp.
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Robert BRONAUGH, only son of Thomas and Cynthia BRONAUGH, was born Nov. 8, 1819, in Lincoln County, Ky. When he was three years of age his mother died, after which his father was twice married. In 1833 his father moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and made his home near New Winchester for about fourteen years. He then moved to Missouri, where he died. Our subject accompanied his father to Hendricks County, remaining here till 1842. He then returned to Kentucky, and there married Miss Mary TAYLOR. Eight children have been born to them, six of whom are living--Elizabeth C., George T., Charles T., Mary V., John W., and James T. After his marriage Mr. BRONAUGH resides in Garrard County, Ky., till 1863, when he returned to Hendricks County, Ind., and in 1864 settled on the place where he still resides, in Union Township, where he has 100 acres of well cultivated land. Mr. BRONAUGH is a member of the Odd Fellows order.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co.- Profiles of Union Twp.
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

William C. DOWDEN was born June 13, 1826, in Woodford County, Ky., a son of Thomas and Elizabeth DOWDEN, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Virginia. In 1847 he came to Jefferson County, Ind., where he learned the stone-cutter's trade at which he worked for many years. In 1853 he went to Decatur County, where he was married Feb. 3, 1859, to Miss Amanda J. PEARCE. Five children have been born to them, two sons and three daughters--William W., James M., Sarah E., Ida A. and Annie. Annie is deceased. In the spring of 1882 Mr. DOWDEN removed with his family to Hendricks County, locating in Union Township where he owns eighty acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co.- Profiles of Union Twp.
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Reuben J. FOSTER, son of Joshua and Aletha (JOHNSON) FOSTER, was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 22, 1836. His parents were natives of Virginia. They came to Indiana in 1837, and were among the early settlers of Decatur County. Of a family of nine children born to them only three survive. The names of those living are--Nancy C., Joshua and Reuben J. Our subject was reared to manhood in Decatur County, and in 1858 came to Hendricks County. In February, 1859, he was married to Miss Margaret GENTRY, who was born Jan. 16, 1842, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth GENTRY, early settlers of this county. Five children have been born to them--Sarah J., Isaac W., Pleasant D., Edgar T. and Iva M. They have also one adopted son--Robert C. Mr. FOSTER has a farm of 116 acres of well-cultivated land. He is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are earnest members of the Regular Baptist church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co.- Profiles of Union Twp.
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson