The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Clay Township, page 555
Mordecai Hadley is a representative of one of the leading pioneer families of Hendricks County. His ancestors were early settlers of Pennsylvania. Subsequently one branch of the family moved to North Carolina, another to Kentucky and a third to Massachusetts, for whom Hadley of that State is named. The grandfather of our subject, Joshua Hadley, was a member of the North Carolina branch, and was born May 23, 1743. He married Ruth Lindley, who was born at London Grove, Pa., March 25, 1745. Their son, Joshua Jr., was born in Chatham County, N.C., Dec. 13, 1783, the thirteenth of sixteen children. Joshua, Jr., was married twice. His first wife was Lydia Hiatt, by whom he had one daughter, who grew to womanhood and married William White, and died several years ago. Mr. Hadley's second wife was Rebecca Hinshaw, who was born in Randolph County, N.C., Feb. 20, 1789. Their family consisted of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. In the fall of 1838 they came to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Clay Township. At that time their two eldest children were married. Mr. Hadley died Aug. 23, 1847. As is characteristic of all members of the society of Friends, he was strongly opposed to slavery, one object of his leaving North Carolina being to escape the evils resulting from it. He was a man of decided convictions, strong in the support of what he believed to be right, and equally earnest in denouncing what he believed to be wrong. He was a well-educated man and for some time a teacher in his early life. His wife survived till April 19, 1882, dying at the age of ninety-three years. She was a woman of great energy and fortitude, and strong religious convictions, and a devoted Bible student. She was a frequent attendant at church, riding horseback when between eighty and ninety years of age. Mordecai Hadley was born in Chatham County, N.C., June 30, 1827, and was ten years of age when his parents moved to Hendricks County. He was educated in the schools of his adopted county, remaining with his parents till manhood. He has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah Jane Clark, was born in Chatham County, N.C., in July, 1827, and died in October, 1877. His present wife, Susan Lindley, was born in Chatham County, N.C., May 16, 1842. Mr. Hadley is one or the leading citizens of Clay Township, representing its most prosperous agriculturists.