Thomas Denny, the subject of this sketch, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 18, 1835, and is the son of Jesse and Ona (Bowles) Denny. The father was born in North Carolina, January 20, 1804, and died in Johnson County, Ind., February 28, 1865, and was of English descent. He was reared in North Carolina, and married Ona Bowles, who, like himself, was a native of North Carolina, and was born December 15, 1802, and died in Johnson County, August 3, 1865. She was also of English descent, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bowles. Jesse and Ona Denny lived for short time after their marriage in North Carolina, in which state were born unto them three children: Thurman, Silvira and Lucinda. Then the family removed to the State of Ohio, about 1832, and settled in Preble County, where these children were born: Hepsy Ann, Thomas, Mary and Jacob. The family removed to Indiana in 1840, and settled in Johnson County, in which place the parents died. Of their seven children, five are living. Our subject was but five years old when his parents settled in this county. His youth was spent on a farm, and he received only a fair education in reading, writing and “ciphering” in the country schools. February 4, 1864, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Duke, daughter of Washington and Rosa Ann (Etter) Duke. Elizabeth was born in Indiana, October 25, 1843. Unto this union have been born the following children: Margaret Harriet, and a second child named Carrie Bell, and a third child, now deceased, named Jacob. When Mr. Denny began the battle of life he had no capital other than willing hands. He owns a well-improved farm of 225 acres, of which 120 acres are under cultivation. Mr. Denny is a staunch democrat. He is a Master Mason of Glenn’s Valley Lodge, No. 514. He was formerly of Mooresville Lodge. He has been a Mason for over twenty-five years.