The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Marion Township, pages 680-682
William T. Hadley, a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of Hendricks County, resides on section 13, Marion Township, on the original entry made by his father, Simon Hadley, in 1829. Simon Hadley was born in North Carolina, the tenth month, 6th, 1765, and was married fifth month, 10th, 1787, to Elizabeth Thompson, a native of the same State, born eighth month, 7th, 1770. In 1829, with two sons, Thomas and William, aged nineteen and fifteen years, respectively, they came to Marion Township and bought eighty acres of land on section 13, ten acres of which had been partially cleared and a rude cabin built. Here the father, aided by his sons, rapidly made a farm, and soon after bought 172 acres of the Government. Here the father died fourth month, 3d, 1843, and the mother eighth month, 16th, 1844. They had a family of fourteen children, all born in North Carolina, William being the only one now living in Hendricks County. Two sons, Thomas and William, accompanied their parents to this county; four, James T., Joshua T., Simon T. and John T., subsequently; Jonathan settled in Clinton County, Ohio; four daughters, Martha Thompson, Sarah Hadley, Elizabeth Hadley and Mary Hadley, settled in Morgan County, Ind., and one daughter, Ruth Hadley, remained in North Carolina. Simon Hadley was a strong anti- slavery man, and a birthright member of the society of Friends. His firm principles and good life endeared him to the hearts of the pioneers, and he is still remembered by all who remain of the early settlers. The home of his parents has always been the home of William T. Hadley, although his finely improved farm of 200 acres, his beautiful residence and other improvements prove no resemblance to the rude cabin amid the stumps and brush in which life here was commenced. He is one of Marion Township's most prominent citizens, a man of good principles, kind, hospitable and charitable, a valuable member of society, and universally respected for his upright life and honorable dealings. In politics he is a Republican. In religion he is a member of the society of Friends. He was married eleventh month, 12th, 1837, to Beulah Hunt, a native of North Carolina, born sixth month, 30th, 1816, daughter of Zimri Hunt, an early settler of Hendricks County. Mrs. Hadley died first month, 23d, 1843, leaving two children--Tillman, who now lives near his father, and Daniel, who died at the age of twenty-two years. Tenth month, 1st, 1843, Mr. Hadley married Ruth Moody, who was born tenth month, 20th, 1822, a daughter of John and Mary Moody, who came from North Carolina and settled in Parke County, Ind., in the fall of 1829. To them have been born three children--Harriet S. Stanley, of Clay Township; Martha, who died in her seventeenth year, and Mary E. Hodson, who settled in Clay Township and died twelfth month, 21st, 1869, in her twentieth year.