The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--pages 536-537
John W. Tinder was born in Marion Township, this county, Jan. 22, 1835. He obtained his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm till he was twenty-two years old. He then married, Feb. 5, 1857, Laura, daughter of William F. and Jane (Crawford) Hamrick, of Marion Township, and to them were born two children--James William, born March 3, 1858; died March 9, of the same year, and Carrie, born Feb. 11, 1862; died Jan. 18, 1863. They have reared several children. Linnie Wallen, now living with them, was taken at the age of nine years. After his marriage Mr. Tinder purchased a farm of eighty acres in Marion Township, where he farmed till June, 1862, when he enlisted in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry under Colonel L.S. Shuler and served over three years. He was wounded in the leg at Bardstown, Ky., which disabled him for two months. He was engaged in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Murfreesboro and Jonesboro raid, and was mustered out with his regiment in September, 1865. After the war he returned to Marion Township, where he farmed till August, 1867, since which he has resided in Danville, where he owns a fine home and three acres of ground on Main street. He also owns 140 acres in Marion Township, most of which he has rented. Mr. Tinder and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held the office of County Commissioner by re-election since 1877, his present term expiring in 1889. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge, and was representative to the Grand Lodge one year. He has been Quartermaster of the G.A.R. Post since its origin in 1883.