Danville library to host presentation about Civil War life

The Danville Public Library will hold a presentation in the library's program room on Saturday, August 25 at 10 am about Civil War life. Tim Macsay, a volunteer with the Hendricks County Historical Museum, will give a demonstration of the weapons used during the Civil War, and there will be an opportunity to taste hardtack, which soldiers ate.

Pre-registration is required - register online via the library's events calendar, or by calling (317) 745-2604.

Danville genealogy group to discuss county histories

The Danville Public Library will present a session by Monique Howell from the Indiana State Library on Monday, August 13 at 1:30 pm about how to make the most of county histories. County histories can include biographical sketches of your ancestors as well as information on local history. The session will be part of the library's Genealogy Nuts group monthly meeting, which is held in the library's program room on the ground floor. Visitors are welcome - for more information, contact the library - phone (317) 745-2604.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss DNA research

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, September 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Andrea Ackermann from the Central Indiana DNA Interest Group (CIDIG) will give a presentation about DNA testing and how they can help you in researching your family history.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss tax lists

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, August 2 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Meredith Thompson will give a presentation on tax lists and how you can use them in your genealogy research.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Danville library to discuss genealogy "cold cases"

The Danville Public Library will hold a workshop on Thursday, July 26 at 1 pm about how to solve a genealogy "cold case" - when your research on an ancestor has seemingly hit a wall. You will learn how to track ancestors, uncover holes in your research and retrieve missing information. Pre-registration is required - register online via the library's events calendar, or by calling (317) 745-2604.

Plainfield library posts Civil War letters online

The Plainfield library's Indiana Room has digitized the Civil War letters of John Mills, who was a resident of Guilford Township. These letters are available online at https://www.plainfieldlibrary.net/services/genealogy/ - scroll down to "Collections in the Archives".

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss 1850-1885 mortality schedules

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, July 5 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Meredith Thompson will give a presentation on the mortality schedules that were done for the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 federal censuses, as well as the 1885 state censuses.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Danville library to host speaker on World War I records

The Danville Public Library will host a program, "Over There: World War I Genealogy," on Saturday, June 30 at 10 am in the library's program room. The program will be led by Ron Darrah. Darrah has been a genealogical researcher for over 30 years and a lecturer since 1996. Currently, he is the Secretary/Newsletter Editor for the Genealogical Society of Marion County and is the Corresponding Secretary and Fellow of the Indiana Genealogical Society. Darrah is also the Chair of the Indiana Genealogical Society affiliates – the Society of Civil War Families of Indiana and Territorial Guard Society of Indiana.

This program is free but pre-registration is required - to register, visit the events calendar on the library's website or call (317) 745-2604.

Brownsburg genealogy group to discuss technology for genealogists

The Brownsburg Branches genealogy group will meet on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Brownsburg Public Library. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room E. Crystal Ward from the Indiana State Library will give a presentation about technology for genealogists.

The meeting is free and open to the public - registration is requested via the events calendar on the library's website. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Cook - e-mail lcook@bburglibrary.net

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss genealogy software

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, June 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Steve Smith and Cindy Rutledge from the Danville Public Library will give a presentation comparing two of the most popular options for genealogy software - Roots Magic and Family Tree Maker.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss Hendricks County digitized records

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 1 pm at the Hendricks County Government Center in Danville. Hendricks County Historian and Hendricks County Government Archivist John Parsons will give a presentation about the digitized records that the county government is doing, as well as give examples of some of the original records that are available for researchers.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Brownsburg genealogy group to discuss digitized books

The Brownsburg Branches genealogy group will meet on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Brownsburg Public Library. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room E. Meredith Thompson from the Plainfield Public Library will give a presentation on the free digitized books available at Google Books and Internet Archive.

The meeting is free and open to the public - registration is requested via the events calendar on the library's website. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Cook - e-mail lcook@bburglibrary.net

James W. SAWYER dies in Danville (1976)

This obituary is courtesy of Karen Zach.

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Tuesday, February 17, 1976:

NORTH SALEM – James W. Sawyer, 68, of North Salem, died Sunday in Hendricks County Hospital. He had been in failing health for several years and was a retired construction worker. He attended Waverly schools. Born March 24, 1907, he was a son of John and Viola Armstrong Sawyer of Waverly. He was married to Irene Johnson in October 1951. Survivors are his wife; a brother, Lonnie of Waverly; a stepson, Donald Russell of Danville; five daughters, Cheryl Jones and Debbie Sawyer of North Salem, Deloris Surber of Clermont, and Janet Davis and Phyllis Ballard both of Indianapolis; four sons, Jeff, Robert and Dale, all at home, and Richard of Greencastle; and 14 grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Porter Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl Davis officiating. Burial in Waverly Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home this evening.

Mary (MASON) SMITH dies in Coatesville (1928)

This obituary is courtesy of Karen Zach.

source: Greencastle Herald (Greencastle, Indiana) - issue of Wednesday, July 25, 1928:

Mrs. Lawrence Smith of Coatesville died at her home Tuesday night at 9 o’clock following a stroke of paralysis in the afternoon. She had been in good health and her death was a shock to the community. She was about 65 years of age and had been a resident of Coatesville for years. She is survived by her husband and two children, a daughter, Mrs. Charles Christie of Coatesville and son, Lons, who lives on a farm northwest of Coatesville, and two sisters, Miss Tona Mason of this city and Mrs. Beck of Indianapolis. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon from the Coatesville ME Church. Burial will be at Coatesville.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss archaeology

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, September 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Rachel Sharkey from the state's Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology will give a presentation on how studying skeletal remains can help tell the story of how our ancestors lived, including what diseases Indiana's early settlers faced.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Brownsburg genealogy group to discuss DNA research

The Brownsburg Branches genealogy group will meet on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Brownsburg Public Library. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room E. Steve Smith from the Danville Public Library will give a presentation on DNA research.

The meeting is free and open to the public - registration is requested via the events calendar on the library's website. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Cook - e-mail lcook@bburglibrary.net

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss Revolutionary War lineage societies

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, September 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Tracie Curtis from the Daughters of the American Revolution will give a presentation on how to prove your Revolutionary War lineage for the DAR and SAR.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

List of Liberty Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Liberty Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Center Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Center Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss Indiana early settlers

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Ron Darrah will give a presentation, "Populating Hoosierland," about how and when settlers arrived in Indiana and what records they left behind.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

List of Washington Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Washington Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Middle Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Middle Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Brownsburg genealogy group to discuss organizing tips

The Brownsburg Branches genealogy group will meet on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Brownsburg Public Library. The meeting will be held in Meeting Room E. The group will discuss how to organize your genealogy "stuff".

The meeting is free and open to the public - registration is requested via the events calendar on the library's website. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Cook - e-mail lcook@bburglibrary.net

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss research facilities

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, January 2, 2018 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. There will be a presentation on the best places to visit for genealogy research, including: the Family History Library in Salt Lake City; the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne; the National Archives in Washington, DC; the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Suspect in North Salem bank theft is captured (1930)

Source: Indianapolis Star – issue of Friday, December 12, 1930 – page 9, column 4:

NORTH SALEM THEFT SUSPECT IS CAUGHT
[Special to The Indianapolis Star]
PETERSBURG, Ind., Dec. 11 – Hugo Lynch, alias Hughes, 25 years old, of New Castle, the last of four men charged with the robbery of a bank at North Salem, was arrested here early this morning by Sheriff Hal Nelson of Pike County and Chief of Police William Weathers of this city. This morning Sheriff Nelson received a notice from the state bureau of criminal identification and investigation at Indianapolis telling him to look for Lynch at Velpen, twenty-two miles east of here at the home of Lynch’s grandfather, Allen Tussey. Sheriff Nelson and Chief Weathers entered the house without knocking and surprised Lynch as he was dressing. He was unarmed.

Lynch blamed one of the men already arrested for informing on him and was very bitter.

Officers from Indianapolis will take Lynch in custody to be returned to North Salem where he will be tried for the robbery.

The North Salem bank was robbed of $2,300 October 10. The gang’s headquarters were said to be at the home of Mrs. Lonnie Lovelace here. She was released of charges. At the trial in Danville Mrs. Lovelace sought permission to be married to James Lynch, but permission was denied because she was not a resident of Hendricks County.

Plainfield library updates Hendricks County coroner's inquest index

The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library has indexed a second batch of Hendricks County coroner's inquest records in its collection, dating from the 1850's through 1905. This index can be found on the Genealogy section of their website. Copies of the coroner's inquest records may be requested by contacting the library's Indiana Room.

Plainfield High School yearbooks 1951-1989 digitized

The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library has digitized their collection of Plainfield High School yearbooks for 1951 through 1989. The yearbooks are in PDF format and are available via the Genealogy section of their website.

The yearbooks were digitized by Oklahoma Correctional Industries.

Supermarket to be built in Plainfield (1953)

source: The Friday Caller (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 17, 1953 - page 1, column 2:

According to a newspaper article, in December 1953 Mr. D.P. Daum announced that a Standard Super Market, operated by the National Tea Company, would be built in the next 4-5 months. It was to be built on a lot on Main Street next to Phillips Motor Sales, and was to have a parking lot big enough to hold 118 cars.

Plainfield genealogy group to hold holiday luncheon

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, December 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. You are invited to bring your favorite dish to share at a holiday pitch-in luncheon. There will also be a "show and tell" to display your family treasures to everyone.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

List of Lincoln Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Lincoln Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Guilford Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Guilford Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Franklin Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Franklin Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Avon library holds groundbreaking ceremonies (1982)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 23, 1982 - page 1, columns 7-8:

According to a newspaper article, on September 19, 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new Washington Township Public Library in Avon. Jessie Thomas, librarian, and Rex McClain, member of the library board, were on hand. The new facility was to be 16,900 square feet (along with a 3,463 square foot basement, which would not be open to the public) and designed to last for 20 years of anticipated growth.

List of Eel River Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Eel River Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Clay Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Clay Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Union Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Union Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Marion Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Marion Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

James D. HOSTETTER dies in Oklahoma (1916)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 21, 1916 - page 2:

Lebanon, March 20 - Harry Hostetter today received a message from Calumet, Oklahoma, announcing the death of his uncle, JD Hostetter, who passed away at that place Friday after several months of failing health.

Mr. Hostetter was born in Montgomery County and is well known in this county. He was county superintendent of the schools of Hendricks County for two terms and was superintendent of the schools at New Ross for some time. Mrs. Hostetter is a sister to Charles Mitchell of this city. His mother, L.W. Hostetter, resides near Indianapolis.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss Indiana's early history

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, November 2 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Jan Aikman Dickson from the Society of Pioneers will discuss the society's genealogy resources for Indiana's early history, as well as other resources such as the Draper Manuscripts and land records.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Nancy (HADLEY) DAGGY dies in Ladoga (1904)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Friday, February 12, 1904 - page 7:

Ladoga, February 5 - Mrs. William Daggey of Danville, Indiana died here at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon while visiting at the home of Robert Wave. Mrs. Daggey has been the guest of the Wave family for almost three weeks when she was taken sick, last Wednesday with pneumonia, which caused her death almost without warning. The brother of the deceased, Henry Hadley of Danville, Indiana and her daughter, Mrs. Lottie Halitt, of Chicago both arrived here last night and accompanied the body to Danville, Indiana for burial this afternoon.

NOTE: According to her death certificate, Nancy M. Daggy (born October 5, 1838; died February 4, 1904) was the daughter of John Hadley and Jerusha Stiles.

List of Brown Township landowners in 1940 added

An index of the landowners in Brown Township in 1940 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

List of Center Township landowners in 1880 added

An index of the landowners in Center Township in 1880 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

William "Shades" MACKEY killed in North Salem (1899)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Weekly Argus News (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Saturday, November 4, 1899 - page 3

A shooting fray took place at North Salem Saturday night in which [William] Shades Mackey was shot and instantly killed and William Ragan so badly wounded that his life is despaired of. Ragan married a Miss Bateman in this city several years ago and is well known here having been a frequent visitor.

He was here last during the week of the street fair and worked "at Pitcher's saloon." Since that he has been working at Hayne's Drug Store at North Salem in which place the fight began. The dead man, Mackey, was a farm hand who worked near North Salem. He had a habit of visiting that place occasionally, tanking up on fighting whiskey and terrorizing the town. He was engaged in that favorite past time Saturday night when Ragan objected and both men drew revolvers. A perfect fusillade followed winding up in the street where Mackey fell with a bullet through his temple. Mackey, it is claimed, killed two men in Tennessee.

He served one term in prison and escaped another by leaving the state.

Ragan was known hereabouts as a sober, inoffensive fellow and not in the least inclined to be quarrelsome. He at one time lived at Ladoga.

Danville library's genealogy group to discuss subscription databases

The Danville library's genealogy group, Genealogy Nuts, will meet on Monday, November 13 at 1:30 pm in the library's program room. Steve Smith will give a presentation on the genealogy databases that the library has subscriptions to. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

Danville library to discuss genealogy cold cases

The Danville Public Library will give a presentation, "Working a Genealogical Cold Case," on Saturday, October 7 at 9:30 am in the library's program room. Cindy Rutledge will give a presentation on strategies you can use to help with any brick walls in your genealogy research. The presentation is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. To pre-register, please visit the events link on the library's website or phone (317) 745-2604.

For more information, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss cemetery restoration

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, October 5 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Jeannie Regan-Dinius from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will discuss cemetery restoration, including what the state laws are regarding the care of cemeteries, and what help is available.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Mary O'REAR dies in North Salem (1923)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of December 25, 1923:

North Salem -- December 24 - Mrs. Mary O'Rear died Saturday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. May Ellis. She had been an invalid for over a year. The funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon.

Jacob WATERS dies in Boone County (1923)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of December 25, 1923:

North Salem -- December 24 - Relatives here received word of the death of Jacob Waters of Advance Sunday. He spent all his earlier life in this community. Funeral will be Tuesday at Advance.

Danville library's genealogy group to discuss newspaper research

The Danville library's genealogy group, Genealogy Nuts, will meet on Monday, October 9 at 1:30 pm in the library's program room. Cindy Rutledge will give a presentation on newspaper research. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

Marion WICKHAM dies in North Salem (1932)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Saturday, February 13, 1932:

NORTH SALEM – Funeral services for Marion WICKHAM were conducted at his late home SE of here at 10 o'clock Friday morning, Elder Ernest Essex of Zionsville, pastor of the local Baptist Church, presiding. Burial in Trotter Cemetery. Mr. Wickham suffered a paralytic stroke the preceding Saturday which resulted in his death. He was 74 and had never married. Sorrowing relatives are a sister, Mrs. Malinda Scott, a nephew, Mede Scott of Lizton and two nieces, Miss Treva Wickham and Miss Moreen Wickham of Indianapolis.

Biography of Dr. John T. WELLS (1881)

contributed by Karen Zach:

source: History of Fountain County, Indiana by H.W. Beckwith (Chicago: H.H. Hill and N. Iddings, 1881) - page 328:

Dr. John T. WELLS, practicing physician, Veedersburg, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana in 1849, and is the son of Balam and Pernetta (HOLTSCLAW) Wells; the former a native of North Carolina, and emigrated to Hendricks County in 1832. The latter came to Montgomery County then to Hendricks. Balam Wells died in 1874 aged 73 and his wife lives in Hendricks County. John T. was educated in the common schools of his home county and in the Danville Academy. At the age of 17 he began the profession of school teaching which he followed five years, one year of which time he was principal of the Danville schools. During the time he was engaged as teacher he occupied his spare moments in reading med. with Dr. CTC Cloud of Pittsboro, Hendricks County, Indiana. He then entered the College of Physicians, Indianapolis. From 1874 to 1876 he was traveling evangelist in the Church sect denominated by the Christians or Disciples. In 1876 Dr. John T. began the practice of medicine in Veedersburg, where he has remained with the exception of 13 months that he practiced at Steam's Corner. In 1877 he was married to Mary STEVENS, daughter of Dr. Robert and Abigail Stevens, the former a native of New York born in 1810 and died 1873. The latter born 1819 is still one of the living landmarks of Fountain County. By this marriage he has one child, Robert. His wife, like himself is a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of both secret orders, Masons and IOOF [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] at Pittsboro, Indiana. He has a good practice, which in the past 4 years has amounted to $12,000. The Dr. resides in Sterling; in politics he is a Republican. The advent of the Wells family to America was in 1702 by 3 brothers who came to this country, landing in what is now the state of Massachusetts. One settled in NC, one in West Virginia and the other remained in Massachusetts. Dr. Wells is a descendant of the one who remained in Massachusetts. It is supposed that all the Wellses in the United States are descendants of these 3 brothers.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1955

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1955. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1954-1955; 1983 through 1986

This index currently covers 1945 through 1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

15 Hendricks County probate packets from 1847 through 1901 digitized

An 1862 application for letters of administration on the estate of Mary Bell.

The Indiana Genealogical Society's website recently added 15 digitized probate packets for Hendricks County for free viewing.

This batch of probate packets spans 1847 through 1901 (as well as a couple of stray packets from 1913, 1917 and 1930). They were digitized by volunteers at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne.

The 15 digitized probate packets are:
Bell, Mary (1862) - estate
Bell, Robert Fay (1913) - guardianship of minor
Bell, Samuel W. (1899) - estate
Bell, Sarah (1888) - estate
Benbow, Charles Dewayne (1930) - guardianship of minor
Benbow, Leland W. (1917) - guardianship of minor
Bennett, Joseph T. (1883) - estate
Bennifiel, Paulina Ann, Peter M.P. & Francis M.G. (1871) - guardianship of minors
Berreman, Adelia M. & Araminta B. (1864) - guardianship of minors
Berreman, Jesse (1864) - estate
Bez, Jacob (1901) - estate
Biddle, John (1885) - estate
Bird, Larkin (1847) - estate
Bishop, John (1864) - estate
Bishop, Rachel (1865) - estate

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1954

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1954. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1954; 1983 through 1986

This index currently covers 1945 through 1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

David CARTER dies in Plainfield (1881)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Star (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 2, 1881 - page 3:

The Barnhill boys, George Hadley and Lew Hornaday, with their families, went to Plainfield on Saturday evening to attend the funeral of their grandfather, David Carter, recently a visitor in this city, who died in Plainfield on Friday, aged 88 years.

Grace (GREENLEE) WALTON dies in Danville (1977)

submitted by Karen Zach:

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, June 30, 1977:

NORTH SALEM – Grace Walton, 77, of North Salem, died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Hendricks County Hospital. She had been in failing health. A graduate of New Winchester High School, Mrs. Walton was a member of the North Salem Christian Church and North Marion Club. She was born April 26, 1900, a daughter of T. A. and Verna Owens Greenlee. She married William Hobart Walton in November, 1909. Surviving are a son, Paul, of North Vernon; a brother Howard Greenlee of Danville; five sisters, Maxine Hopper of Jamestown, Lorene Seaman of Evansville, Lydia Beck of Bowling Green, Ohio; Marion Jefferies of Hemet, Calif., and Doris Johnston of North Brook, Ill.; and five grandchildren. Two brothers, Phillip and George Greenlee, preceded her in death. Services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Porter Funeral Home here with the Rev. Earl Davis officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in North Salem. Friends may call at the funeral home 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday.

List of North Salem High School seniors in 1964 added

An index of the students in grade 12 at North Salem High School in 1964 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1964 yearbook, The Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Danville library's genealogy group to discuss immigration research

The Danville library's genealogy group, Genealogy Nuts, will meet on Monday, September 11 at 1:30 pm in the library's program room. Steve Smith will give a presentation, "Coming to America," about immigration research. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss tuberculosis in Indiana

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, September 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Meredith Thompson will present a program, "Tuberculosis in Indiana: A Perpetual Plague."

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1983

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1983. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1983 through 1986

This index currently covers 1945 through 1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Plainfield's Van Buren Elm Tree cut down (1945)

source: The Friday Caller (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 6, 1945 - page 1, columns 2-4:

According to a newspaper article, in September 1945 a famous tree in Plainfield was finally cut down by the workers from the Indiana State Highway Commission, after it was condemned. The "Van Buren Elm" had stood on the grounds of the Quaker Western Yearly Meeting House at the southwest corner of State Road 267 and US 40 in Plainfield. In June 1843, President Martin Van Buren was passing by in a stagecoach, when he fell out into mud at the base of the tree, leading to Congress giving money to improve the condition of the National Road. This tree then become a stop for souvenir hunters who took pieces out of it, and in August 1928 it was badly damaged by a tornado.

Today there is a plaque marking the site.

List of North Salem High School seniors in 1958 added

An index of the students in grade 12 at North Salem High School in 1958 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1958 yearbook, The Echo 1958. This yearbook has been digitized by Ancestry.com and can be accessed via a subscription to their site.

20 Hendricks County probate packets from 1844-1899 digitized

An 1867 executor's bond for the estate of Thomas Barr, issued in Hardin County, Kentucky

The Indiana Genealogical Society's website recently added 20 digitized probate packets for Hendricks County for free viewing.

This batch of probate packets spans 1844 through 1899 (as well as a couple of stray packets from 1919, 1929 and 1930). They were digitized by volunteers at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne.

The 20 digitized probate packets are:

Barnhill, James (1844) - estate
Barr, Thomas (1867) - estate
Barron, John Q. (1886) - estate
Barron, Rebecca E., Moses J., Susan E., Mary A., Harriett A. & Martha C. (1856) - guardianship of minors
Bartholomew, Levi W. (1871) - estate
Barton, Dora E. (1930) - estate
Barton, Ralph (1888) - estate
Bateman, James (1899) - guardianship of minor
Bateman, Margaret L.A. (1894) - guardianship of unsound mind
Baugh, Alva M. (1929) - estate
Baxter, Charles W. (1868) - guardianship of minor
Baxter, Nancy (1865) - estate
Bean, James (1892) - estate
Beard, Clarissa (1869) - estate
Beard, Elisha D. (1919) - estate
Bedford, Catharine (1895) - estate
Beekman, Joseph W. (1885) - estate
Beeson, Ezra (1868) - estate
Bell, James J. (1887) - estate
Bell, James J., Julia I. & Allen (1861) - guardianship of minors

Inventories of Hendricks County estates (1867-1876) added

An index of inventories filed in Hendricks County estate cases from October 1867 through July 1876 has been added to the Probate Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. These inventories list all of the debts and assets in the case.

This is an index of a record book that has been digitized by the Hendricks County government - it is available in the Archives section of their website, under the "Court of Common Pleas" section.

List of Center Township landowners in 1925 added

An index of the landowners in Center Township in 1925 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1984

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1984. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1984-1986

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

List of North Salem High School seniors in 1956 added

An index of the students in grade 12 at North Salem High School in 1956 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1956 yearbook, The Echo '56. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1986

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1986. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1985-1986

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from University of Evansville, Evansville (1984)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Monday, July 30, 1984 - page 7, columns 2-3:

According to a newspaper article, in May 1984 these Hendricks County residents graduated from the University of Evansville in Evansville:

BROWNSBURG:
Christine Hill - Associate of Science in Legal Assistance (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hill)
Gary Redman - Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Redman)

PLAINFIELD:
Thomas Johnson - Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences (son of Mr. and Mrs. Verne Johnson)

List of Center Township landowners in 1932 added

An index of the landowners in Center Township in 1932 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Butler University, Indianapolis (1984)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Monday, June 11, 1984 - page 7, columns 5-7:

According to a newspaper article, these residents of Hendricks County graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis in June 1984:

BROWNSBURG:
Stacy Buckner - Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Pamela Faulkner - Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics
Cynthia Jackson - Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics
Brad Sowers - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Linda Williams - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

DANVILLE:
Brenda Archer - Master of Science in Education
Robert Machin - Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television

PITTSBORO:
Carolyn Carlat - Bachelor of Science

PLAINFIELD:
Deborah Bagley - Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics
David Clark - Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
Lois Magnabosco - Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Susan Nelson - Bachelor of Science in Public-Corporate Communication
James Pearson - Master of Arts in English
Michael Sexton - Masters of Business Administration in Business Administration
Della Shelton - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Plainfield genealogy group to discuss Catholic Church records

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, August 3 from 1 to 3 pm at the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. The meeting will be held upstairs in the library's meeting rooms. Elaine Kuhn from the Kenton County (Kentucky) Public Library in Covington will present a program about Catholic Church records entitled, "The Knights of Columbus and the Ladies First Circle: Going Beyond the Basic Church Records."

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

List of North Salem High School alumni 1898-1920 added

An index of the alumni of North Salem High School from 1898 to 1920 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1921 yearbook, Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church opens in Plainfield (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 27, 1955 - page 1, column 2:

According to a newspaper article, in October 1955 a Lutheran congregation (part of the Missouri Synod) organized in Plainfield. They met in the basement of the Plainfield library and called their congregation St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church. The congregation was to serve the need of Lutherans not only in Plainfield, but also Danville, Mooresville, Brownsburg and Clayton. Dr. M.F. Kretzmann of Danville was to serve as the temporary pastor.

Danville library's genealogy group to discuss Underground Railroad

The Danville library's genealogy group, Genealogy Nuts, will meet on Monday, August 14 at 1:30 pm in the library's program room. Jeannie Regan-Dinius from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' DHPA will give a presentation on the Underground Railroad in Indiana. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1985

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Plainfield Messenger for 1985. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952; 1985

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Highway 267 between Brownsburg and Plainfield becomes a state road (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 8, 1955 - page 1, column 7:

According to a newspaper article, in December 1955 the state took over control of highway 267 between Brownsburg, Avon and Plainfield after years of requests by Hendricks County officials to do so. The heavy travel by trucks and cars meant it was in constant need of repair, and the state taking it over meant they would now be responsible for its repair and maintenance. Part of the state takeover meant the road would receive state highway markers as well as speed zone signs.

Highway 75 between Jamestown and North Salem becomes a state road (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 8, 1955 - page 1, column 7:

According to a newspaper article, in December 1955 the state took over control of highway 75 between Jamestown in Boone County and North Salem in Hendricks County. That was the last segment of the highway that was not under state control.

Index of poor children's indentures 1849-1872 added

An index of poor children who were indentured from 1849 to 1872 has been added to the Indenture Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County indenture records book 1849-1872, and contains the indentured child's name, the date, the page number, and a link to the abstract of the indenture record.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has a digital file of this indenture records book, as well as one that covers 1837 to 1849.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church opens in Plainfield (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, October 13, 1955 - page 1, columns 5-6:

According to a newspaper article, on October 16, 1955 St. Mark's Episcopal Church dedicated its building (710 East Buchanan Street, near Hobbs Street). It was formerly the building owned by the Plainfield Christian Church, which moved to a new location in 1954. St. Mark's first started in Plainfield in November 1953, when they held their services in the Plainfield library. In October 1954, Rev. William L. Casady was named the vicar of St. Mark's.

Kroger's in Plainfield closes after 27 years (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 5, 1955 - page 8, column 2:

According to a newspaper article, in May 1955 the Kroger grocery store in Plainfield closed after 27 years. It had opened (circa 1928) in the Barnes Building on West Main Street. Kroger had leased the building from owner Ralph Barnes. Leon Hern was the store manager and Dayle Cain was the manager of the meat department at the time of closing. They had been transferred to the Kroger at 5400 West Washington Street.

NOTE: In 2017 the Kroger in Plainfield is located on the north side of US 40 (Main Street) and Quaker Boulevard/267.

List of Liberty Township landowners in 1918 added

An index of the landowners in Liberty Township in 1918 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

20,000th civil case filed in Hendricks County Circuit Court (1955)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 15, 1955 - page 1, column 4:

According to a newspaper article, in September 1955, the Hendricks County Circuit Court had its 20,000th civil case filed since 1870 (when they began using consecutive numbering for court cases). Case #20,000 was Lew F. Dunbar vs. William Hence Hargrave in a complaint for ejectment and $500 damages. Dunbar operated the Dunbar Automobile Parts Property on the east side of Cartersburg Road in Center Township, and sought to obtain possession of the one-room living quarters on his property, occupied by Hargrave.

List of North Salem High School students in 1924 added

An index of the students in grades 8 through 12 at North Salem High School in 1924 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1924 yearbook, The Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1948-1952

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Clayton Commercial for 1948-1952. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945; 1948 through 1952 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

List of North Salem High School students in 1921 added

An index of the students in grades 9 through 12 at North Salem High School in 1921 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the North Salem High School 1921 yearbook, The Echo. This yearbook is in the collection of the Danville library.

List of Eel River Township landowners in 1903 added

An index of the landowners in Eel River Township in 1903 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1945

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from the Clayton Commercial for 1945. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Clayton Commercial - 1945 [scattered issues]
• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Franklin College, Franklin (1986)

source: Plainfield Messenger (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 29, 1986 - page 2, columns 3-4:

According to a newspaper article, the following residents of Hendricks County graduated from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana during its May 24 commencement exercises:

--Todd Bratton Davis, Plainfield
son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Davis
subject: Business
--Dorene Jackson, Plainfield
daughter of Wayne Jackson
subject: Journalism and Spanish
--Jonathan Wilson, R.R.1, Pittsboro
son of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson
subject: History

Plainfield moves its post office to Carr Road (1986)

source: Plainfield Messenger - issue of Thursday, January 23, 1986 - page 1, columns 2-3:

According to a newspaper article, on Saturday, January 25, 1986, Plainfield's post office would move to a new location - a new 8,000 square foot building on Carr Road. It had been located on North Mill Street for 20 years before this move. Louise Gregory was the postmaster. The Carr Road facility had additional spaces for parking, more post office boxes and a vending machine in the lobby to purchase stamps.

Hendricks County residents who graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette (winter 1948)

source: The Clayton Commercial (Clayton, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, February 12, 1948 - page 8, column 3:

According to a newspaper article, these Hendricks County residents graduated from Purdue University in their commencement held on February 1, 1948:

--James A. West of Plainfield - Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
--James A. Newman of Coatesville - Bachelor of Science in Forestry
--James R. Leak of Lizton - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Hendricks County estate index updated for 1986

An index of the Hendricks County estate cases that had legal notices published in Hendricks County newspapers has been updated to include notices from The Republican and Danville Gazette for 1986. This index is in the probate records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site.

This index now covers these Hendricks County newspapers:

• Coatesville Herald - 1945 through 1961 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1961)
• Danville Gazette - 1945 through 1986
• The Republican (Danville) - 1945 through 1986
• The Friday Caller (Plainfield) - 1945 through 1956 (the newspaper stopped being published in 1956)
• Plainfield Messenger - 1945 through 1952

This index currently covers 1945-1986; more newspapers and more years will be added later.

This may not be a comprehensive list of all of the Hendricks County estate cases for this time period; legal notices could be filed in any newspaper in the county.

Plainfield genealogy group to tour historic Quaker building

The Family History Hounds genealogy group will meet on Thursday, July 6 at 1 pm at the Plainfield Friends Meeting and Western Yearly Meeting House (105 S. East St., Plainfield) for a tour given by Rev. Bill Clendening. This is one of the oldest buildings in Plainfield and includes a hand-pump organ from 1899.

If you are interested in the group, or have questions, please contact Plainfield library's Indiana Room - e-mail askindiana@plainfieldlibrary.net or phone (317) 839-6602 extension 2114.

List of Washington Township landowners in 1925 added

An index of the landowners in Washington Township in 1925 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Danville genealogy group to discuss Quaker research

The Danville library's genealogy group, Genealogy Nuts, will meet on Monday, July 10 at 1:30 pm in the library's program room. Cindy Rutledge will give a presentation on researching Quakers. The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information on the group, please contact the library's Indiana Room - dplind@dplindiana.org.

List of Guilford Township landowners in 1899 added

An index of the landowners in Guilford Township in 1899 has been added to the Land Records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Hendricks County Assessor's collection of plat books and lists the Congressional Township, Range and Section that the land was located in.

The Hendricks County Government's Archive has digital files of the plat books for scattered years between 1852 and 1940.

Free genealogy workshop on DNA testing to be held in Indianapolis

The Central Indiana DNA Interest Group (CIDIG) will hold a free workshop, "DNA Testing for the Genealogist," on Saturday, June 10 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis. There will be sessions on:

• Adding DNA to Your Genealogy Toolkit - Ann Raymont
• Getting the Most from Your Ancestry DNA Matches – Andrea Ackermann
• Y DNA & mtDNA Testing with Family Tree DNA – Denise Anderson-Decina

Members of CIDIG will be available throughout to answer questions, including: the types of DNA tests available, the DNA testing companies, who to test, understanding test results, ethnicity reports and contacting DNA matches.

The workshop is free but pre-registration is required - please pre-register here.

List of Danville High School seniors in 1948 added

An index of the students in grade 12 at Danville High School in 1948 has been added to the school records section of the Hendricks County GenWeb site. This index was compiled from the Danville High School 1948 yearbook, Tom Tom. This yearbook is in the Archives of the Plainfield library.

Plainfield establishes a police department (1954)

source: The Friday Caller (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, December 9, 1954 - page 1, columns 2-4:

According to a newspaper article, in November 1954 voters approved a referendum to abolish the town's system of town marshals and instead create a police department. This was in response to a 1951 state law which allowed any town with a population of more than 3,000 to allow its residents to vote to establish a "board of metropolitan police commissioners" and abolish the office of town marshal. This system would go into effect in January 1955.

Laurence Bradley, Dr. R.H. Marlowe and Ed Cox were appointed by the town's trustees to be the first police commissioners.

Captain James L. GLASCOCK enrolls in college at age 84 (1949)

source: The Friday Caller (Plainfield, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, March 17, 1949 - page 1, column 2:

According to a newspaper article, Captain James L. Glascock of Plainfield, age 84, a veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War I, had enrolled in a sociology course at Canterbury College in Danville. He and his son Wheatley Glascock were residents at the county home. The college refused to accept his tuition payment, instead giving him an honorary scholarship. He was a past commander of the American Legion, the oldest member of their Nysewander-Bayliff Post, and had served as a military instructor at the Indiana Boys' School in Plainfield during the administration of C.A. McGonagle.

NOTE: Captain James L. Glascock died in October 1950.