Mr. Burden is one of those who have literally "grown up" with this county, having settled here at an early day in its history, and kept pace with the improvement of intervening years.

He was born in the State of New Jersey, August 29, 1813, and is the son of William D. and Elizabeth Burden. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Pangborn, was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, who received a land warrant from the Government for his services. The parents settled in Anderson's Fork, Greene Co., Ohio, about the year 1820, when the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age. He attended the district schools of that county, securing a fair English education, and, as he grew to manhood, adopted the pursuit of farming, to which, in fact, he had been reared.

In 1835, he was united in marriage with Miss. Margaret H. Campbell, and came to Delaware County, Ind, settling in Section 13, Delaware Township. His cash capital was 18 cents, and his wife and rifle his only near companions in the woodland in which he settled. The latter played an important part in his pioneer experience, and next to his ax, was the most valuable instrument in his possession. Its stock bore 250 notches, each one indicating a deer slain by a shot from its trusty barrel, and two wolves that came prowling about his premises, were killed by the same faithful servant. Once, when out without his rifle, Mr. Burden nearly became a victim of bruin's fatal embrace-only a fence separating them but he escaped upon the timely arrival of some dogs, who chased the bear away. His pioneer days were replete with incidents like these, and hard labor in clearing and improving his land made up the balance of his life. Each year witnessed some new improvement in his forest farm, and his home was made happy by the presence of bright, happy children, the fruits of a happy married life. Of these, one, James C., is deceased; Christena D., Elizabeth C., Angeline D., Catharine C., William J., Julia C., now survive.

In 1873, the wife of his youth died, and on the 6th day of August 1874, Mr. Burden was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Mayers, daughter of John Pittenger, one of the early settlers of this county. She was born June 10, 1826, in Greene County, Ohio, and, in 1830, removed with her parents to LaFayette, Ind. Six years later they came to Delaware County and settled in Delaware Township.

Her life is full of incidents of pioneer days, and it is interesting to listen to their recital by her; how she wove flannel at 6 cents, and jeans, at 10 cents per yard, to secure money for the necessaries of life. In the later years of their, life, this worthy couple enjoy a competence well earned by hard work in earlier days; and in addition they have the love and confidence of all who know them.

In matters political, Mr. Burden adheres to the principals of the Democratic Party, but takes no active part in political affairs, beyond voting for his candidates, and speaking an occasional good wind in their favor. He attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although not a member of any religious denomination, contributes freely to the support and spread of the Gospel. His wife has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-five years.

Both are kind and hospitable to friend and stranger alike, and carry out the religion of good will to all in their daily lives.

(Pages 243-244)

DAVID THOMPSON,

one of the early settlers of Delaware County, was born October 27, 1817, in Butler County, Ohio. His grandfather, Robert Thompson, was of Scotch parentage, and settled in the Colony of Virginia prior to the American Revolution. David Thompson, the son of Robert and father of our subject, was born September 12, 1771, in Amherst County, Va. During Gen. Wayne's expeditions against the Indians of the Northwest, he distinguished himself as a brave soldier, and was rewarded by a letter of grateful commendation from the Captain of the company in which he served. This document we deem worthy of reproduction in connection with the biography of his son. It is in the following words:

The bearer hereof, David Thompson, has served as a Corporal in my company of riflemen, in the Army of the United States, from which he has obtained an honorable discharge. But in justice to the said Corporal, for many services he has rendered the public, I consider it my duty, and am fully warranted to say, that his conduct has uniformly met with my approbation, as well as that of all other officers who had an opportunity to know him. Corporal Thompson was employed in reconnoitering the Indian country, and paths leading to and from their several towns and villages, as well as being constantly in advance of the army during the campaign. While thus engaged, he assisted in taking seven Indian prisoners--all warriors except one--from their towns and villages, in order to gain information for our army. In accomplishing this great object, several skirmishes ensued, in which he behaved in a brave and soldier-like manner, and when the garrison of Fort Recovery, which I had the honor to command, was attacked and surrounded by nearly two thousand savages, this Corporal Thompson made an escape through them with intelligence to the Commander-in-Chief, who was twenty-four miles distant from the place. For this service, I now beg leave to return him my sincere thanks, and hope that all good people, who are friends to their country, may receive and treat with respect the said David Thompson, a reward which he has merited.

Certified under my hand and seal at Staunton, in the State of Virginia, the 29th day of October, 1795.
ALEX GIBSON,
Captain in the Tenth Legion.

His discharge is in the following words:

By his Excellency, Anthony Wayne, Esq., Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the Legion of the United States:

These are to certify that the bearer hereof, David Thompson, a Corporal in the Fourth Sub Legion, has served in the above Legion, and in Capt. Gibson's company, for the space of three years, and is, for the reason below mentioned, discharged from the said Legion, he having received his pay up to the 1st of January, 1795, clothing of all kinds, and all other just demands from the time of his enlisting in the Legion to the day of his discharge, as appears by the following receipt. * * * * * * * *

He is discharged, having faithfully served the full term of time for which he engaged. To prevent any ill use that may be made of his discharge by its falling into the hands of any other person whatsoever, here follows the description of said David Thompson:

He is twenty years of age, five feet eleven inches tall, dark complexion, black hair and black eyes; born in the county of Amherst, in the State of Virginia; a farmer.

Given under my hand and seal, at headquarters this 19th of August, 1795.
WILLIAM CLARK,
Lieutenant Acting, Sub Legion, Major and Inspector to the Fourth Sub Legion.
ANT'Y WAYNE
To whom it may concern, civil or military.

After the treaty of Greenville, August 8, 1795, when the troops were disbanded, Mr. Thompson settled in the Western part of Virginia (now West Virginia), and there formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Swope, whom he soon afterward married. She was born September 21, 1775, in the old fort in Monroe County, Va. In 1817, Mr. Thompson removed with his wife and ten children to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1823 to Henry County, Ind. About 1842, they settled in Salem Township, Delaware County, where both Mr. Thompson and his wife died.

David, the son and the subject of this biography, worked on the farm from the time he was able to pull weeds or make himself useful in any way, until he was married; acquiring, in the meantime, a limited education in one of the rude log schoolhouses which characterized the early days of life in Indiana. On August 24, 1837, he married Miss Malinda Davis, daughter of Aquilla Davis, one of the early settlers of Salem Township. They began housekeeping on a rented farm in the northern extremity of Henry County, and in the winter of 1838-39 moved to Salem Township, Delaware County, where Mr. Thompson purchased eighty acres of land. In 1840, he purchased a quarter-section of land in Washington Township, and located upon that tract shortly afterward. In clearing and improving this land, he spent the years of his early manhood's vigor, and made it his home until 1872, When he came to Muncie to enjoy, in the seclusion of a retired life, the competence earned by years of honest toil.

In the meantime, six children came to bless his wedded life, and all grew to honorable and useful maturity, save one, George, who is deceased. Alzina is the wife of George W. Beuoy, of Washington Township; Amanda is the wife of G. W. Stephenson, a prominent merchant of Muncie; Martha J. is the wife of Washington Maynard, a citizen of Washington Township; Reuben, now living at Muneie, is married to Elizabeth H. Van Matre; Joseph P., also at Muncie, is married to Barbara E. Fawner.

In all his dealings with the world, Mr. Thompson has proved himself a man of pure character. He has never descended to trickery, nor would he ever take a mean advantage in a trade. By his open-hearted dealing with his fellows, he has gained the confidence and good will of all who know him, and his memory will live long in the hearts of many to whom he has rendered substantial aid in time of need. He has been a member of the United Brethren Church for forty years. In politics, he acts independently, affiliating with no particular party.
(This bio is found in Delaware Township, facing page 240.)