from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 598-600
The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class of life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his county, and earning a reputation as an enterprising and progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to recognize and appreciate.
Jonah S. Brill, one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Hendricks County, who is now living a retired life in Plainfield, was born May 26, 1851, in Frederick County, Virginia. His parents, John Harrison and Sarah Ann (Millhorn) Brill, were both natives of Virginia, his father's birth occurring December 6, 1819, and died January 6, 1894, while his mother was born May 14, 1821, and died January 6, 1870. John H. Brill was a stage driver for many years and covered the route from Winchester, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. When Jonah S. was about one year old, his father came with his family to Indiana, settling in Liberty Township, Hendricks County, where they lived until 1867, when they moved to Sheridan County, Missouri. John H. Brill and his wife both died in that state. They reared a large family of thirteen children, nine of whom are living, Dr. James H. Brill, of Indianapolis; Mrs. Mary F. Lambert, of Hadley, Hendricks County; Jonah S., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Eliza Morgan, of Springfield, Missouri; Mrs. Rachel E. Needham, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; Amos M., of Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth C. Coctrell, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Charles W., of Lampher, Colorado, and Mrs. Harriett E. Elliott, of Forest Green, Missouri.
Jonah S. Brill came to Hendricks County from Virginia with his parents when he was a mere babe in arms and has lived here all his life except five years, when he lived in Sheridan County, Missouri. His education was received in this state and he finished his educational training in Missouri, where he lived from 1867 to 1872. At the age of twenty he began to learn the trade of a carriage trimmer in Indianapolis, and continued to work at this occupation for six years. He then took up farming in Liberty Township, this county, and continued to follow the vocation of a farmer until 1897, when he removed to Plainfield and left the active operation of the farm to younger hands. A few years ago, in 1907, he sold his farm and is now living a retired life in Plainfield.
Mr. Brill was married October 27, 1880, to Nannie Williams, the daughter of Nathan C. and Katherine (McPherson) Williams. The one child born to this union died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Brill are both devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Plainfield. Fraternally, Mr. Brill is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, but has never taken an active part in politics, although he has always voted with the Democrat Party. Mr. Brill has the reputation of a progressive man of affairs, is broad minded and public spirited, and has not been backward in giving his support to every movement for the upbuilding and development of his community. Personally, he is a most companionable man and is an appreciative member of the circles in which he moves.
Mrs. Brill was born in Liberty Township, Hendricks County. Her parents were both natives of North Carolina and both came to Hendricks County, Indiana, when they were small children, grew up and married here, and lived in Liberty Township. He was a farmer. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had two children. One son, Luther, who was born in 1850, married Catherine Wheatley, and died in 1876. Nathan C. Williams died February 14, 1886; his wife. Katherine, died December 24, 1892.