The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Eel River Township, page 578
James A. Lytle was born April 26, 1833, in Boone County, Ind., and was one of the first children born in that county. His parents, Edward and Mary Lytle, were natives of Cincinnati and Kentucky respectively. They came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and subsequently to Boone County, where they lived till their death. Our subject followed farming till he was twenty-five years old, when he began working in a saw-mill. He was employed in various mills in his native county till August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Perryville, Ky., and was honorably discharged in November, 1863. While in the service he contracted a disease for which he draws a pension. After his return from the war he worked in a saw-mill till 1868, when he came to North Salem, this county, and for fifteen years was proprietor of the North Salem Saw0mill. In December, 1883, he began buying and shipping timber for an Indianapolis firm, and in February, 1885, he engaged in the mercantile business, having bought out Mr. W.J.K.P. Jones. He was married April 3, 1854, to Martha J. Gibson, and to them have been born five children--John F., Mollie, Thomas B., Annie B. and Mattie J. Mr. Lytle is a member of North Salem Lodge, No. 158, I.O.O.F., and also of the Grand Army of the Republic.