David Matlock

Hendricks county is located near the centre of the State of Indiana. It contains about one hundred and thirty five thousand acres of land. The county was organized in 1824, and was named in honor of Governor William Hendricks. The surface of the county is gently rolling, and the soil is generally very good. The county is well timbered, especially in the northern portion.

It is well watered by Eel river, Mill creek, Mud creek, White Lick creek, and their numerous tributary streams.

   The first settlers of the county emigrated from North Carolina to this county about the year 1818, and settled on goverment lands prior to entry. The first lands were entered in the county in 1821, about three years before the organization of the county. The first settlements were made in the southeast portion of the county, in what is now Liberty and Gillford townships. Among the first settlers were David Downs, Boss Nicholas, Richard Christie, George and David Matock, William Ballard, Jonathan Rodgers, James Thompson, Thomas Hadley, Josiah Tomlinson, John Bryant and Thomas Lockhart.