Alfred W. CARTER, a successful farmer of Liberty Township, was born in Lincoln County, Ky., April 18, 1833, the second son of John and Martha (ALFORD) CARTER. His father was born in 1801 and died in 1864. His mother was born in 1808 and died in 1878. Their family consisted of eight children, five sons and three daughters. When twenty years of age Alfred W. CARTER left home and came to Hendricks County, Ind., having, when he reached here, but $1.35 in money. He worked by the month during the summer, and in the winter attended school, until he had $150 and a horse. Prior to coming to Hendricks County his entire schooling had been but nine months. He was married in 1856 to Mary J. SHORT, daughter of Young and Elizabeth SHORT, of Belleville. After his marriage he rented land in different parts of the county till 1860. He bought three acres of land, with house, one-half mile west of Clayton, where he was living at the breaking out of the Rebellion. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventieth Indiana Infantry, and served till June, 1865. He participated in the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and thence went to Washington, D.C., where he was mustered out. After his return home, he bought forty acres of land on which he lived about eighteen months, when he sold it, and in 1869 bought forty acres which is part of his present home. He now owns 151 1/2 acres of choice land with a good brick residence and convenient farm buildings. His wife died in 1867. Of their five children, only two are living--Dora F., wife of William HARRISON, and Lawrence E. Elizabeth died in infancy in 1857; Warren G., died July 14, 1884, aged twenty-four years; Lucy, died in infancy in 1862. IN 1869 he married Mrs. Margaret J. Hamilton, who died in November, 1878, leaving one daughter--Nellie G. In 1880 he married Mrs. Nancy J. Lewalen, and to them has been born one daughter--Mabel. Mr. CARTER and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he has been Elder and Trustee. Mr. CARTER has traveled over half of the States and Territories in the Union and is very well known. He is known throughout the country as a successful farmer and reliable business man. He has been associated with the courots continuously for the past ten years, having acted as administrator, guardian and Commissioner. He has executed official bonds to the amount of $15,000, and for the faithful performance of such trusts he has won the confidence and esteem of all who come in contact with him.

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

Daniel COX, son of Abijah and Sarah (CARTER) COX, is a native of HendricksCounty, Ind., born July 28, 1827. His parents were natives of NorthCarolina, his father of Randolph County, born Sept. 27, 1800, and his mother of Chatham County, born in 1799. In 1822 Abijah COX and his wife moved to Indiana and settled in Richmond, Wayne County, where he had a brother. While there, when absent from home, their cabin wasentered and a chest containing $300, given him by his father, taken away. This left him with nothing but his horses and wagon. In 1824 he went to Hendricks County and settled on section 28, Guilford Township, where he entered eighty acres of land, which he improved and afterward sold, andbought 160 acres in Washington Township, where he lived till his deathin 1851. His wife survived him till 1863. They were members of thesociety of Friends, but were excommunicated for marrying out of the church. They subsequently joined the Christian church and remainedconsistent members the rest of their lives. They had a family of seven children, three of whom are living. Daniel COX remained with his parents till manhood. He was given a good education and taught two years. He then learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked two years, when his father died and he then took charge of the homestead for his mother. He was married in April, 1852, to Elizabeth LITTLE, who was born May 10, 1833, a daughter of Samuel Little. Mr. COX is Treasurer of the Indiana Horticultural Society, and President of the Hendricks County Agricultural and Horticultural Society, also President of the Farmers' Co-operative Insurance Company, representing $1,750,000. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he is an Elder.

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

Thomas F. DRYDEN, M.D., Clayton, Ind., is a native of Ohio, born in Adams County, Oct. 20, 1835, the eldest son of Isaac and Martha (BOWLES) DRYDEN, his father a native of Delaware and his mother of Virginia. When he was about four years of age his father died and his youth was spent on a farm, attending the district schools. He came to Indiana in 1852, and worked on a farm some time. Having from his boyhood had a desire to become a physician, he hailed with delight the opportunity given him to study medicine with Dr. Hutchison, of Mooresville. He afterward attended a course of lectures at the medical department of the Michigan University, Ann Arbor. He then went to Detroit, Mich., where he was a private pupil of Dr. William Brodie, an eminent surgeon, remaining with him about six months. He subsequently entered the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1859. In addition to his degree of M.D., he in 1875 had an honorary degree conferred on him by the Indiana Medical College, and has certificates from the chemical and pharmaceutical department at Ann Arbor, and the clinical department at Detroit. He began the practice of his profession at Northfield, Boone Co., Ind., in 1859, remaining there till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the three-months service as a private. He afterward entered the three-years service as Hospital Steward of the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, but always acted in the capacity of Assistant Surgeon or Surgeon. He was at many important engagements, among others Rich Mountain, Shiloh, Murfreesboro and Mission Ridge. He was mustered out June 25, 1864, but was immediately appointed Post Surgeon at Johnsonville, Tenn., where he remained till August, 1865. He then returned to Indiana and lived in Morgan County till June, 1866, when he located in Clayton, where he has built up a large practice, and has made an enviable reputation both as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Dryden was married in 1868 to Mrs. Sarah E. JOHNSON, a lady of culture and refinement. She died in 1872, leaving no children. Dr. Dryden is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; also of the Masonic fraternity, Clayton Lodge, No. 463. In politics he is a Republican.

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

Theodore R. GILLELAND, teacher in the intermediate department of Cartersburg graded schools, is one of the oldest teachers in Hendricks County. He was born in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 6, 1846, the only son of John O. and Nancy J. (POPE) GILLELAND, and grandson of William POPE. In 1851 his parents moved to Hendricks County, where, in connection with working at his trade (plasterer), his father engaged in farming. He attended in his boyhood the district schools, and later, the Belleville Academy, and in the spring of 1877, a term at the State Normal School, at Terre Haute. He commenced teaching in 1868 and has taught nine years in Belleville, five years in Brownsburg and three years in Cartersburg. He has been a successful disciplinarian and instructor and has a reputation second to none in the county. In addition to teaching he carries on a small farm on section 31, Liberty Township. He was married Feb. 26, 1874, to Amanda M. WILSON, of Danville. They have two children--Daisy I. and Raymond I. Mr. GILLELAND is a member of Belleville Lodge, No. 205, I.O.O.F.

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

John HARRISON, merchant, Clayton, Ind., is a native of Knox County, Ky., born Oct. 30, 1830. He was the eldest of seven children of Thomas and Nancy (BRYAN) HARRISON, his father a native of North Carolina and his mother of Tennessee. In December, 1832, Thomas HARRISON moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and located on a tract of heavily timbered land in Liberty Township, where he lived till his death in 1846. His wife still lives on the old homestead, aged seventy-eight years. She was hurt while milking a cow sixteen years ago, and is still lame from its effects, but with this exception has good health. Of their children two daughters and our subject are the only ones living. John HARRISON was but two years of age when his parents moved to Hendricks County. He was reared on his father's farm and in his boyhood attended the district schools. On reaching manhood he engaged in dealing in live stock, and although having but limited means he was successful, and by 1867 had acquired sufficient means to buy the store and stock of goods of J.R. Ballard. He was associated with A.N. Clark, under the firm name of Clark & Harrison, four years. He then bought Mr. Clark's interest and conducted the business alone till 1880, when he sold a half interest to his former partner and the firm has since been Clark & Harrison. They carry a full line of general merchandise and have one of the best stores in the county. Their store, which was erected by Mr. HARRISON in 1874, is a two-story frame building, 22 x 60 feet in size, the upper floor used as a Masonic Hall. Mr. Harrison has built two residences in Clayton, the last, in which he lives, being a model of taste and convenience. He was married in 1862 to Margaret E. CLARK, a native of Putnam County, Ind., a sister of A.N. CLARK. They have had two children, but one of whom--Katie M., is living. Mr. HARRISON is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Clayton Lodge, No. 463. He and his wife are daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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

Horace HUNT, druggist, Clayton, Ind., is the second son of Alford and Jane HUNT. He spent his youth on his father's farm north of the village of Clayton, receiving his early education in the district schools and later attending the Central Normal College, Danville. After leaving school he was employed by Hunt and Rowe, dealers in buggies and farm implements, in Delphi, the county seat of Carroll County, Ind., a year, and in 1884 bought the stock and fixtures of T.J. Allen, druggist, Clayton. He carries a full line of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, glass, varnish and toilet articles. He is a young man of good business ability, and his steady habits and uprightness have gained him many friends. He owns a fine farm of 102 acres two miles north of Clayton, in Center Township, on which are good buildings and a pleasant two-story residence.

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

William W. IRONS, resident of Cartersburg, Ind., is a native of Liberty Township, born May 29, 1835, the fourth son of Thomas and Sarah (FRANKS) IRONS. He spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and was given a good education, completing it at the old seminary in Belleville, where he was assistant teacher one term. After leaving school he was employed in the clerk's office at Danville, by his brother John, two years. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mary W. CLARK, daughter of Edmund CLARK, an ex-Sheriff and Treasurer of Hendricks County. After his marriage he went to Indianapolis, where he remained till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Indiana Infantry. After his return from the war he moved to Hendricks County and settled on the farm in Liberty Township, which is now owned by JohnA. Miles. He has been engaged in the commission business in Indianapolis since 1876. He has a family of four children.

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

Albert JOHNSON, merchant and grain-dealer, Clayton, Ind., is a native of Marion County, Ind., born Sept. 19, 1843, the eighth of nine children of Jeremiah and Susannah JOHNSON, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of Virginia. His parents moved to Indiana in 1821 and settled in Indianapolis, and in the spring of 1855 moved to Hendricks County. The mother died in 1855 and the father in 1876. Albert JOHNSON received his early education in his native county and later attended the academy at Danville. After leaving school he engaged in farming till 1876 when he located in the village of Clayton and began dealing in grain, and in 1880 opened a general store in company with his brother Edwin. Their store building, which was erected by  themselves, is 38 x 60 feet in size, two stories high, and is arranged conveniently for their business. The upper floor is used as a public hall. Their grain elevator, located on the line of the Vandalia Railway, has a capacity of 30,000 bushels of wheat. Mr. JOHNSON was married in 1867 to Miss Mary E. SNODDY, of Morgan County, Ind., and to them have been born three children--Gertrude, Emma and Arthur A. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Christian church, of which he is a Trustee.

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

Jeremiah JOHNSON, son of Aholiab and Hannah JOHNSON, was born at Killingly, Windham Co., Conn., Aug. 23, 1792, and in 1796 or 1796 he removed with his parents to Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn. With the exception of about three years, when he lived with his mother's father, Jeremiah BACON, at Middletown, Conn., he continued to live with his father and work at farming and getting such education as the common schools then afforded, sometimes teaching district schools in the winter, till he was about twenty-one years of age. In 1813, during the war with Great Britain, he served as a volunteer in the militia of Connecticut for about seventy days, guarding the port at New London and vicinity, for which service he long afterward obtained bounty land from the United States Government. After the close of his military service he went South as far as Washington, seeking his fortune, and for a short time worked on the new Capitol the old one having been burned by the British, but believing their was some easier way of getting a living he soon left and went to Baltimore where he shipped on board a private armed sloop for a cruise. Soon taking a dislike to that kind of life he was discharged at one of the West Indiana Islands called Virgin Gorda, whence he returned to his father's home in Stafford. There the taught the district school, numbering not less than 100 scholars, for one term, and early in the spring of 1815 he started with a small trunk, containing a few articles of wearing apparel and about $50 in money, for the great New West leaving the balance of his savings placed on interest. He traveled by mail stage to Philadelphia, whence, after placing his trunk on board one of the large wagons then constantly passing between Philadelphia and Pittsburg, he traveled on foot to the latter place. At Pittsburg, in company with another Eastern man, he constructed a flat-boat and loaded it with coal and floated down the Ohio River to Cincinnati when boat and cargo were sold for what he could get. From Cincinnati he very soon went to a recently settled German village about twenty miles northwest of that city where he taught the young Germans the English language and such other rudiments of education as circumstances permitted, till the time when the authorities of Indiana fixed the site of the present Indianapolis for the capital of that State. Soon after he learned that fact he hired a couple of men with each a four-horse term, loaded them with provisions and such other articles as were necessary in a new settlement, and leaving his German friends started through the then unbroken forest for the future city, fording streams and cutting their way through the woods, being guided by a small compass. After much time and enduring many hardships he at length reached the place of his destination. Here he detained his teamsters till they, together with such assistance as those already there could afford, had built him a log cabin, being the third in that place. His first dining table was the head of a flour barrel, his first plate a clean maple chip, and his first bedstead was framed into a corner of the cabin. He at once commenced dealing in provisions, groceries, powder, lead, etc. When the first brick court-house was built (used for a State House for several years) he took the contract for the brick work and in company with John JOHNSON, who came there from Virginia, and one of whose daughters afterward became his wife, made the brick and completed his contract to the acceptance of the authorities. At that time money was a very scarce article, and the State obligations with which he was paid for his work were at a heavy discount, and had it not been for the money due him in Connecticut which was collected and sent to him as fast as possible, he probably would have become bankrupt. He was generally reasonably successful in business though sometimes suffered serious losses, as when bringing a boat-load of salt up the Wabash  River the boat suddenly sunk and boat, salt, and wearing apparel of himself and assistants were a total loss, leaving him and his companions to beg their way home over 100 miles. He invested his savings in land at Government prices, which of course advanced in value as the county became settled. When the National Road was laid out west from Indianapolis he laid out the village of Bridgeport on land which he  owned, and built a hotel, steam mill, and store. When the plank road was built, he took an active interest in it and gave the right of way through all his land and ground for a depot at Bridgeport and much otherwise to encourage building of the railroad. He was active and energetic in business and did much in promoting the cause of education and agriculture in the State, importing improved breeds of cattle from other States. His ancestors were of pure English stock and according to the tradition of that family some of them left England and settled in Massachusetts on the restoration of Charles II., on account of their participation in the civil war as soldiers and partisans of Cromwell. He reared a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. He survived his wife and daughters several years and died at Clayton, Hendricks County, March 20, 1876.

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

J. Sherry JONES, telegraph operator and agent for the "Vandalia Line," at Clayton, Ind., is a native of Hendricks County, born June 13, 1858, the third son of Adam and Harriett JONES, natives of England, who came to America in 1849, and settled in Plainfield, Hendricks Co., Ind., in 1855, where our subject was born and reared. He received a good education, completing it at the Plainfield High School , and learned the art of telegraphy in the railroad office of that place, under the direction of Cyrus Green. After completing his studies he was employed in the railroad office at Brownstown, Ill., and in January, 1883, was transferred to Clayton, where, in addition to the duties of operator, he has charge of the passenger and freight departments of the railroad. He is also a silversmith by trade, and carries on a general repairing business when not engaged with the duties of his position.

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

William LITTLE, deceased, was a native of Kentucky, born March 5, 1814, the third son of Alexander and Rachel Little, who were among the first settlers of Hendricks County, locating south of Cartersburg. After reaching manhood Mr. LITTLE engaged in farming and stock-raising, and accumulated a large property, owning at the time of his death 430 acres of land, 150 acres being the homestead. He was married in 1840 to Sarah DOWNARD, who died June 18, 1858, leaving seven children--Ann J., James A., Joseph K., Leonard W., Isabelle E., Cynthia E. and Clay M. In 1859 he married Mary E. RARDEN, daughter of Asbury and Catherine RARDEN, and to them was born one daughter--Hattie M., wife of Samuel HOLDERMAN, of Hendricks County. Mr. LITTLE died Jan. 29, 1876. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the most liberal and earnest workers at the time the church at Cartersburg was built. Mrs. LITTLE has been a member of the same church twenty-five years.

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

Frank H. MARTIN, hardware merchant and dealer in agricultural implements, Clayton, Ind., is a native of Hendricks County, born Oct. 7, 1860, the eldest son of J.F. and Julia A. (HUNT) MARTIN, his father a native of Kentucky and his mother of Indiana. He spent his youth on his father's farm, receiving his early education in the district schools and later attending the Danville Normal School a year. After leaving school he engaged in the dry-goods business in Clayton a year, and in 1883 became established in his present business, locating on the west side of the square. His is the only exclusive hardware store in Clayton, and he has built up a good trade. He is a young man of strict business integrity and his close attention to his pursuits and fair dealing have won him many friends. He was married in 1883 to Laura V.,  daughter of Thomas A. BORDERS, of Hendricks County.

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

Charles W. McCLURE is a native of East Tennessee, born Sept. 2, 1826, the third son of a family of ten children of William and Fanny (ROSE) McClure, natives of Virginia. In the spring of 1830 his parents moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on a tract of wild land two miles southwest of Clayton. The mother died in the spring of 1850, and the following fall when the father was rolling logs the chain broke and a log fell on him, crushing him in such a manner that he lived only a few hours. Charles W. McCLURE was reared and educated in Hendricks County, remaining with his parents till manhood. He then engaged in farming at which he has been uniformly successful. He was married in 1851 to Edna HIATT, daughter of Harmon and Martha (BOYD) HIATT. After his marriage he went to Iowa and remained three years, and in 1854 returned to Hendricks County, and located on his present farm, which contains eighty acres of valuable land with a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. and Mrs. McCLURE have had six children-Laura E., wife of Melvin HARKRIDER; Elizabeth, wife of Reed PICK; Fannie V., Charles A., William A. and James W. Mr. McCLURE is a member of Clayton Lodge, No. 463, A.F. & A.M. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. McCLURE'S father, Harmon HIATT, was born in Grayson County, Va., Nov. 20, 1796, and her mother, Martha BOYD, was born Aug. 18, 1792, a daughter of John BOYD, a hero of the Revolutionary war. They were married July 25, 1819, and in 1822 moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Guilford Township removing to Liberty Township in 1834. The father died in 1849, and the mother July 24, 1882. They had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are living, all in Indiana.

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

Amos D. McCORMICK, farmer and stock-raiser, Liberty Township, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born near Connersville, Aug. 23, 1819, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (CASE) McCORMICK, his father a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1789, and his mother a native of Kentucky. Samuel McCORMICK moved with his parents to Ohio when a boy, and was there married. He located in Preble County after his marriage, and later moved to Butler County, and thence, in 1812, to Fayette County, Ind. He helped to build a fort on the present site of Connersville, but owing to Indiana troubles returned to Ohio, but a year later moved again to Fayette County, and in 1820 to Indianapolis, where he cleared fifteen acres of land, which is now included in the public square. In 1836 he moved to Hendricks County, and settled near where our subject now lives. In 1864 he moved to Cartersburg, and in 1866 returned to the farm where he died in June, 1867. His wife died in 1834. Their family consisted of eight sons and two daughters--John, Jacob, William, Dorcas, Archibald, Amos D., James, Thomas, Elizabeth, and a son not named, of whom but two sons are living. In 1838 he married Matilda CLARK, who survived him till July, 1870, and to this union were born four children--Samuel L., Harvey, Virrinda and Riley. He was a member of the Baptist church, and for many years was a preacher in the denomination. Amos D. McCORMICK was reared in Marion County, Ind., and there received the greater part of his education, completing it in Hendricks County. Since reaching manhood he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits and now has a good farm of eighty-four acres. He was married in 1838 to Susannah JORDAN, daughter of Aquila and Elizabeth JORDAN, early settlers of Hendricks County, where the father died July 8, 1844, and the mother in December, 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. McCORMICK have been born two sons--Aquila S. and John W.

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

John MILES, a pioneer of Liberty Township, who has done much toward the development of this county, is a native of Pasquotank County, N.C., born Jan. 30, 1814, a son of Thomas and Sarah MILES. He was left an orphan at the age of seven years, when he was bond out to Thomas Pritchett, with whom he moved to Washington County, Ind. On account of the abuse he received from Pritchett he was released. He was bound out to another party to learn the blacksmith's trade, but not liking this pursuit he was again released. He then went to work on the farm of Thomas Irons for 25 cents per day, and at the end of three years he had saved from his earnings enough to enter eighty acres of land. He still continued to work for Mr. Irons, and at the end of four years became his partner, they engaging as contractors on what was the Clay County Canal, which they followed successfully about three years. He then bought 145 acres, on which he at present resides. He was married in the spring of 1840 to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of John and Mary HOLLINGSHEAD, when he settled with his bride on the farm, where they have since resided, their house being a small log cabin. Mr. MILES has been very successful in his farming pursuits, and by his industry and economy he has acquired a large property. He has provided for his family of three sons and three daughters, and still owns 1,500 acres of land. His surplus means he loans out to his neighbors. Besides his farming pursuits he at the same time traded in stock, dealing in cattle, hogs and mules. This being before the days of railroads, his stock was driven to market on foot, over poor roads and in all kinds of weather. While not being a member of any church he has always been a liberal supporter of them, being among the most liberal contributors.

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