A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 1041-1042
Addison Hadley is one of the well known and honored citizens of Clay Township, Hendricks County, Ind., and a philanthropist, who is a direct benefactor of mankind, as the founder of the industrial home for girls at Hadley. Joshua Hadley, the father of our subject, was born the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, 1788, in Chatham County, N.C., and married in that state a Miss Hiatt, who bore him one daughter—Jane—who afterwards married William White. Mrs. Hadley died in North Carolina two years after marriage with consumption, and Mr. Hadley married Rebecca Hinshaw. Mr. Hinshaw came from Ireland a widower with seven children. The mother of our subject was a member of this last family. To Joshua Hadley by this wife were born eleven children, of whom Milton died an infant; the remainder lived to maturity. They were Mary, who married Henry Rogers; Zeno, who married Rebecca Stawley; Nathan, who married Olive Newlin; Job, who married Hannah Draper, who died, and he next married Tacy Burgess; Susan, who married Pryor Woodard; Aseneth, who married William Stanley; Ruth, who married Addison Coffin; Mordecai, who married Jane Cloud; Addison, who married Martha J. Hill; and Esther, who died when eighteen years of age.
Addison Hadley was born September 22, 1830, in Chatham County, N.C., on his father's farm, and was but eight years of age when he came with his parents to Hendricks County, Ind. The journey was made by means of a four-horse wagon and a one-horse cart. They carried a tent and camped out on the way, the distance being 750 miles. The journey occupied four weeks, and was through the wild country, by way of Cumberland Gap, Crab Orchard, and Madison, Ind., where they were building the first railroad built in the state. Mr. Hadley had attended school but three months in North Carolina, and received the education of the day in Indiana, by attending a select Friends' high school at Mooresville. He then taught school one term. He was reared a farmer, and when he was but seventeen years of age lost his father, but remained with his mother until he was twenty-eight years of age. He married, February 23, 1859, Martha J., daughter of William and Charity (Hawkins) Hill. William Hill was a substantial farmer, and honored member of the Friends' Church in Rush County, Ind. He descends from English people, his family being of noble origin. He was the father of six children: Mary Anne, Elizabeth C., Amos H., Samuel B., Martha J. and John R., and died on his farm, aged fifty-seven years, in 1859.
After marriage, Addison Hadley remained on the old homestead until 1882, when he and wife traveled for two years for their health and recreation. On March 1, 1891, he deeded in trust 110 acres of land at Hadley, to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of Indiana, for the establishment of a home for the rearing and education of needy girls of good character. This philanthropic scheme was original with Mr. Hadley, who has all his life been a man of strong religious convictions and benevolent heart. While visiting his farm on one occasion, he felt impressed with the idea that it would make a fine home for needy and sickly women, especially those with young children. He conferred with philanthropic people of Indianapolis who were old friends of his, and in a few months a plan was formulated. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union became interested in the matter, and it was finally decided that an industrial school for needy girls of good character was most needed, the plan being to teach them to be good housewives, to instruct them in horticulture, floriculture, and, to some extent, agriculture and the care of the dairy. They are also to be taught music. The school facilities of the town of Hadley are to be used, if allowed, with the thought that the association with children from good homes will be helpful and beneficial to the young girls, and that their education will be higher and more practical. They are not to be recluses in any sense and their moral training will be carefully attended to. A large, substantial and handsome brick building, of practically four stories, has been erected, capable of accommodating 100 girls, and well adapted to its purpose, at an expenditure of from $15,000 to $16,000. This noble institution is now out of debt. The deed prohibits the use of profane language, spirituous liquors, tobacco or narcotics by any of the teachers, or employees about the farm.
In political opinions Mr. Hadley is a stanch prohibitionist and was the nominee on that ticket for state treasurer, and is now supervisor of his township. Although brought up a Friend and still adhering to that doctrine, he is not now a member of any church. His character was greatly influenced by his parents, especially his mother, who instilled into his mind the principles of a true Christian. Mrs. Hadley is a member of the Friends' Church, and they are now living pleasantly near the town of Hadley.