JOHN L. HINKLE.-An industrious and thriving farmer of Haddon township, John L. Hinkle comes of substantial pioneer stock, and is an excellent representative of the native-born citizens of this part of Sullivan county, his birth having occurred, March 23, 1863, on what was then known as the old Walker farm, near the Knox county line.
James S. Hinkle, father of John L., was born in Kentucky, but when eight years of age came to Sullivan county with his parents, who entered government land in Haddon township, and on the farm which they improved spent the remaining years of their lives. During the days of his youth and early manhood he assisted his father in the strenuous labor of reclaiming a farm from the forest. When ready to settle in life he chose farming as the occupation most congenial to his tastes, and has always been employed in agricultural pursuits, his home being now one and one-half miles northeast of Carlisle. Until recently he was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and for four years rendered excellent service as justice of the peace. He is a man of eminent piety, and a consistent member of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged. He married Eliza Walker, who was born in Haddon township, on the farm adjoining the one owned by her son John, and died, in this township, about 1880. She bore her husband six children, as follows: Elzora Jane, deceased; John L., of this sketch; Carrie I., deceased; Cora May, deceased; Hammet D., who was graduated from the State Normal school, at Terre Haute, and afterwards taught school for four years in Knox and Sullivan counties, has been practicing law the past five years in Vincennes; and Charles H., who is married, and resides with his father.
Brought up on a farm, and receiving a common school education, John L. Hinkle remained at home until attaining his majority. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits at that time, and for four years farmed for himself in Widner township, Knox county. The ensuing three years he was similarly employed in Gill township, after which he spent two more years in Knox county. Coming then to Haddon township, Sullivan county, Mr. Hinkle purchased the farm where he now resides, and has since carried on general farming, including grain and stock raising, with signal success, cultivating, in addition to his own farm, other land. He takes especial interest in breeding and raising fine horses, and is a stockholder in the Carlisle Coach Horse Company. In his political affiliations, he is a stanch Republican.
Mr. Hinkle married, November 12, 1905, Anna Jones, who was born in Busseron township, Knox county, Indiana, March 28, 1876, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Ellen (Ridgeway) Jones. Her parents, natives of Knox county, are now living, retired from farming pursuits, in Oaktown. Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle have one child, Elzora Jane. Religiously, Mr. Hinkle was reared in the Baptist faith, and Mrs. Hinkle is a valued member of the Church of Christ, of Oaktown, Indiana.