A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 966-967
Thompson Henry, a very thriving farmer of Eel River Township, Hendricks County, Ind., was born in Montgomery County, Ind., August 16, 1839. The name is of German origin, and in that language was spelled Harry. The grandfather of Thompson, our subject, was a soldier for eight years in the Revolutionary War, and also served as a captain in Black Hawk War. He married Susan Miller, and among the children born to this union was George, a native of Scott County, Ky., who married Elizabeth Herrington, a daughter of John and Margaret Herrington, who were among the earliest settlers of Montgomery County, Ind., and who cleared out a farm from the forest. They were the parents of the following children: Thompson, Susan M., Lydia, Elizabeth, John W. and James R. The father of this family was a noted Democrat, and, in religion, was an ardent Baptist, as well as a highly respected citizen. Susan Henry, sister of Thompson Henry's father, during the early days of the residence of the family in Kentucky, was captured by Indians and never again heard of.
Thompson Henry, after a preliminary education in the common schools, attended the Danville high-school one year, and then engaged in the profession of teaching for five years, of which period two years were devoted to one school. Mr. Henry was married April 18, 1867, to Miss Esteline Jessee, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Porter) Jessee, early settlers of Boone County and owners of 400 acres of good land. They underwent the usual hardships pertaining to frontier life and also encountered its dangers and adventures. One day, as he returned from a clearing, Mr. Jessee was called to, by his wife, that a bear was in the front door, whereon Mr. Jessee came through a window on the other side of the house and with his trusty rifle converted Mr. Bear into the proper material for steaks and other savory viands. The children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry were named as follows: Mary J., George, Oliver A., Alice C., Effie L., Mattie A., Freeda, Rhetta and Gretty. Mr. Henry's farm now comprises eighty-five acres, and he also owns an interest in a valuable Percheron Norman horse.
Mr. Henry had quite a war experience, having enlisted May 1, 1862, in Company G, Fifty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was next in Company L, Third Indiana Cavalry, and was later transferred to Company A, Eighth Indiana Cavalry. At the battle of Richmond, Ky., he was severely wounded, and has never yet recovered from the effects of his wound; he took part also in the battles of Blue Springs, Tenn., Chucky Bend, Moonstown, Walker's Ford, and Little River; also in the fight near Knoxville, Tenn., having been in twenty-eight battles in all. For many months, also, he acted as scout and courier for Col. Jackson, who at that time was acting brigadier general. He was in many dangerous predicaments and had many thrilling experiences, all his scouting having been done necessarily in the night. He witnessed the surrender of the rebel Johnston, and remained in active service in North Carolina until his honorable discharge in August, 1865. Mr. Henry is post commander of Antietam post, No. 162, G.A.R., at Jamestown, and in politics he is a strong Republican. He is a devout Methodist in his church membership and has been honored by his congregation with the offices of trustee and steward. Socially he and family stand with the best people of Eel River Township.