The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Center Township, pages 517-518
James Gorrell, a farmer of Center Township, is a native of Kentucky, born in Bourbon County in 1816, a son of James and Rebecca (Caywood) Gorrell, the father a native of Ireland, and the mother a native of Maryland, of Scotch descent. In 1833 he came with his mother and sister to Indiana and settled on a tract of uncultivated land in Center Township, this county, three miles east of Danville, on which he still lives, it being now a fine farm. His mother lived with him till her death in 1849. Nov.1, 1838, he was married to Miss Amanda Hamilton, of Center Township. They have had eleven children, of whom eight are living--John, of Madison County, Iowa; Marilda Ann, wife of John Monday, living near Danville; Daniel H., of Iowa; James M., of Center Township; Amanda Martilla, wife of Joseph Hashbarger, of this township; William O., of this township; Mary Frances, wife of John Hayes, of Center Township, and Charlie, at home. Martha, wife of Robert Ramsey, is deceased, and two children died in infancy. Mr. Gorrell came to Hendricks County before much clearing had been done in Center Township, and at that time Danville was but a small hamlet. At the age of seventeen he began to support himself and also his mother. He has been successful through life, and at present owns 236 acres of land that he has accumulated by his own perservering industry and economy.