Thomas B. Forelander was born in Monroe County, Va., October 31, 1824, and is a son of Lewis and Susan (Sparr) Forelander. Paternally, Mr. Forelander is descended from Dutch ancestry, his father having been born in Holland. On his mother’s side he is of German lineage, although his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Lewis Forelander was a tanner by trade, and followed his calling for a number of years in Pennsylvania, in which state his death occurred. His widow afterward emigrated to Ohio, thence later to Indiana, in several counties of which she lived at different times, mainly Union, Henry, Hancock and Johnson, moving to the last named in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Forelander have a family of four children, two of whom: Catherine, wife of J.D. Collier, and Thomas B., are now living. Thomas B. Forelander remained with his mother until her death. He early learned the milling trade in Johnson County, and did his first work in John A. Thompson’s mills, at Edinburg, where he continued several years. He has followed milling all his life, principally in Johnson County, and has the reputation of being one of the best millers in this section of the state. He has been an honored resident of Johnson County for half a century, and during that long period of residence no shadow of suspicion has been breathed against his good name or Christian character. He is an active member of the church, an uncompromising advocate of temperance reform, and a republican in politics. In 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss America, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Ruffin) Spicer, who were born in the States of North Carolina and Kentucky, respectively. Mrs. Forelander was born in Johnson County, Ind., and is the mother of five children, two of whom are living, viz.: Susie and William L. Forelander. Mr. Forelander is at this time assessor of Blue River Township.