from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 687-688
A farmer of Hendricks County, Indiana, who has attained to a position of influence in his community is James E. Daugherty, one of the native sons of the Hoosier state, whose life of more than three score and ten years has been spent wholly within this state, and he has been a witness of the remarkable growth which has taken place during that long period. He has always led a quiet life and during his long career he has never forsaken the soil and the independent existence which characterizes the successful farmer.
James E. Daugherty, the son of James and Mary Ann (Mills) Daugherty, was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, February 8, 1841. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to this state and settled in Montgomery County in 1830. His mother died on July 31, 1872, at the age of sixty-six years, and his father died at Ladoga, Indiana, on January 9, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty, Sr., reared a family of five children: Wesley W., who died March 10, 1902; Mrs. Nancy Lee Stover, who died March 12, 1908; Mrs. Catherine Bird, who died in August, 1881, and Mrs. Minerva Harshberger, who died March 12, 1906; James E., whose history is here presented.
James E. Daugherty was reared on his father's farm in Montgomery County, Indiana, and received his education in the schools of his home neighborhood. He was married May 27, 1869, to Eliza Jane McCoun, who was the daughter of John W. and Melvina (Talbott) McCoun, and born in Jackson Township, Hendricks County, on August 31, 1849. To this union were born the following children: Henrietta, who married Homer Paterson and died on August 21, 1890; Edgar, a farmer in Center Township; Charles, Mary and Grace, who are at home.
In the fall of the same year he was married, Mr. Daugherty bought a farm in Section 31, Center Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, and he proved to be a very successful farmer from the start of his agricultural career. As a result of his thrift and economy he was able to add to his possessions from time to time until he is now the owner of five hundred and fifty-six acres of well improved land in the county. In addition to his heavy farming interests, he has engaged in the buying and selling of all kinds of live stock. He raises considerable live stock himself, making a specialty of pedigreed Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
Politically, Mr. Daugherty is a Democrat, while in religion the family are identified with the Christian Church. Mr. Daugherty has given satisfaction as executor of several estates.