J. M. Tindle was born in Randolph County, Ind., June 14, 1842. He is the youngest of a family of nine children born to Robert A. and Amy Tindle, the father a native of one of the eastern states, and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Tindle’s paternal ancestors were Scotch-Irish, and were among the early residents of Ohio. His grandfather was one of the first settlers in Cincinnati, and made brick in that city when it was only a small western town. Robert A. Tindle grew to manhood in Cincinnati, and there learned the trade of brick making with his father. He married in 1822, Amy, daughter of Oliver Kelly, of Cincinnati, after which he came to Indiana and engaged in agricultural pursuits in various parts of the state. In 1852, he abandoned farming, and began the manufacture of brick in Shelbyville, and later sold out his business and went west for the purpose of purchasing land. Since his departure nothing has been heard from him, and the supposition is that he met his death in some mysterious manner. His wife departed this life in Edinburg in the year 1872. J. M. Tindle was reared principally upon a farm, and after the mysterious disappearance of his father, looked after his mother’s interests until her death. In 1862 he entered the army, enlisting in Company M, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, and was afterward transferred to the First Heavy Artillery, at Baton Rouge, La. He served with the latter until the close of the war, and took part in the last artillery engagement of the Rebellion, which was fought at Mobile, Ala., April 11, 1865. After being honorably discharged from the service he returned to Edinburg, and for about three years or more worked at different places and employments in and around the town. He next opened a blacksmith shop about three miles east of Edinburg, at the Harvest City Mills, which he operated for about fifteen years, and then moved to the town where he has since resided. From 1882 to 1885, he followed his trade in Edinburg, but since the latter year has been engaged in various pursuits, being at this time in the insurance business. Mr. Tindle is a prominent member of the United Order of Honor, and has assisted in organizing lodges in different parts of the state, being at this time employed especially for that purpose. In politics, Mr. Tindle is a republican, and in religion believes in the doctrine as taught and practiced by the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been twice married, first on August 20, 1869, to Miss Clara Dragoo, of Johnson County, by whom he had five children, all living, viz.: Minnie M., Korah, Sylvester K, Abigail and Wilford O. Mrs. Tindle died April, 1883, and on the 1st day of August, 1886, Mr. Tindle married his present wife, Mrs. Venia Compton ( nee Pitcher). By her previous marriage Mrs. Tindle had one child, Oscar Compton.