The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Franklin Township, page 605
James Walls, a pioneer of Franklin Township, was born in Wilkes County, N.C., and was there married to Mary Kennedy. In 1825 they moved to Indiana that they might provide a better home for their family. They located in Monroe County, and remained one season, but not being satisfied with the country determined to look further before making a permanent location. Accordingly, in the spring of 1826, Mr. Walls came to Hendricks County and entered eighty acres of land in Franklin Township, near the present site of Stilesville, now owned by his son John. He built a log cabin, into which he moved his family, and at once began the improvement of his land. By hard work on the part of himself and wife they improved their land and made a good home, gradually adding to the first purchase till they owned 200 acres. He was a man of strong force of character, and a worthy specimen of the honored pioneers, who converted the forests into fruitful fields. He died in the prime of his manhood, Nov. 22, 1841, his wife surviving him till Jan. 12, 1873. Their family consisted of ten children--Susan E., Reuben P., Mary Ann (deceased), Elizabeth and Sarah (twins, the latter deceased), Nancy L., Joseph, James, William and John.