The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 513-514
William Thompson Eddingfield, teacher, was born Nov. 9, 1850, at Pisgah, Butler Co., Ohio. His parents, John J. and Sarah Eddingfield, were of English and German descent, and were married near Bethany, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1843. To them were born seven children, of whom five survive--G.W.E., a successful physician at Mace, Montgomery County, Ind.; Oscar, farming on the old homestead near New Ross, Ind., with whom the mother makes her home, the father having died in the fall of 1875; James C., a successful teacher, and our subject. The latter spent his early life on a farm near New Ross, Montgomery Co., Ind., to which his father removed in the fall of 1858. His educational advantages were limited to a few months in the year in the country schools, he having to assist his father to improve their farm, but he made the best use of his time, and at the age of nineteen was enabled to take charge of the school in his neighborhood, where he met with a good degree of success. The following year he taught at Center, two miles north, and the next year he returned to Greenwood, where he taught one year, giving good satisfaction. The next year he taught at Hunt's School, and the three years following at Maple Grove, two miles north of Ladoga, with marked success. In the meantime he spent one summer in the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, and one spring and summer at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind. In September, 1877, he entered the Central Normal College, then located at Ladoga, and resolved to take the scientific course. Before the close of the year, the school was removed to Danville, Ind., and the principalship of the commercial department placed in his hands, which through his efficient management increased in numbers and interest, and was soon one of the leading departments of the school. Having graduated with honors, he began the classic course in the fall of 1878, completing the course during the year, and during this time he taught three classes daily. Mr. Eddingfield is just closing his seventh year in the Central Normal College, and is now looking forward to a year's recreation in the West, when he hopes to return and resume his work in the school to which he is so much attached. He was married at the Grand Hotel, Indianapolis, by Elder U.C. Brewer, pastor of the Central Christian Church of that city, May 1, 1879, to Miss Bien Travers, sister of Prof. M.T. Travers, then teacher of penmanship in the college. Three bright children--Stella Bea, Ina Dea, and Frank Travers, have blessed their marriage. Stella is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Eddingfield are active workers in the Christian Church, of which they are members.