Surname: Hoover, Garrettson, Wickersham, Cammack, Stratton, Bond, Hewitt, Garretson Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920 ELI BOND The subject of this sketch is a representative of an old family that has been well and prominently known in Wayne and Henry Counties from a very early day. Jesse Bond, grandfather of Eli, was a pioneer of the former county and took an active part in its early growth and development. Enos Bond, his son and father of the subject, was born in 1810, came to Indiana when a young man and on the 23rd day of February, 1830, was married in Wayne county to Miss Susannah Hoover, whose birth occurred May 1, 1813. Immediately after his marriage Enos Bond came to Henry County and settled on land, which his father had purchased from the government some years previously. To reach his new home he was obliged to cut a road through the dense woods, after which he hastily constructed a rude log cabin for the reception of his newly wedded bride. This building differed somewhat from the conventional backwoods dwellings of the period in that it had no floor and no window, the only means of entrance being through an opening in the wall made by the removal of a section of two logs. As a protection from the cold and rainy weather a bed quilt was hung over this aperture, but later a small window was made and in due time a puncheon floor and other needed improvements were added. Mr. Bond worked diligently while clearing his land and experienced many of the vicissitudes and hardships common to the pioneer period of this part of the state. He became one of the substantial farmers of his community, also one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. He dealt considerably in livestock and is said to have been one of the best judges of cattle and horses in the county. It is stated that he could by a hasty inspection tell to within a pound the weight of an animal and his estimate of its value was generally accepted without further discussion. For many years he was a leader of the Hick site branch of the Society of Friends worshipping at Dublin and an active participant in the deliberations of the yearly meetings. He followed agricultural pursuits as long as he was able to perform manual labor, but having acquired a competency, spent his latter years in retirement among his children, and was visiting with his daughter at Pendleton when his death occurred on the 27th day of February 1883. Nine children were born to Enos and Susannah Bond, all of whom grew to maturity, the first one to die departing this life shortly after attaining his majority. Two of the number died recently, Calvin in 1897, at the age of sixty-six years and two months: then Catherine, in April of the same year, aged fifty-four years and eight months; the former was a resident of Dwight, Dakota and the latter died at Richmond from the effect of an operation, though a resident of Ridge Square, this county. The following are the names of the living members of the family: Mary Ann, widow of the late Joel Garrettson, resides in New Castle: she formerly lived at Pendleton, where her second husband, Mr. Garrettson, farmer and stock raiser, died at the age of seventy-three. By former husband, Jesse Wickersham, she had two children. Lee Wickersham, of Indianapolis, and Carrie. Wife of Walter Cammack, O Anderson, this state. Hannah, wife of Edward K. Stratton, lives near Spiceland; Isom Bond lives in the old homestead in Liberty Township; Jesse is a resident of New Castle; Phoebe is the wife of John H. Hewitt, a farmer of Liberty Township, and Eli is the subject of this review. Eli Bond was born on the old home place in Liberty Township, Henry County August 11, 1844;nd remained with his parents until his twenty-first year. Meantime he attended of winter seasons the common schools, became familiar with the varied kinds of farm labor and grew to manhood with a proper appreciation of the true dignity of honest toil. On attaining his majority he took charge of the homestead and managed the place for several years thereafter with results satisfactory to his father and to himself. Purchasing property in New Castle, he subsequently removed to the city and after living there seven or eight years decided to make a tour of the west with the two-fold object of recuperating his health and finding a favorable business location in view. For some years Mr. Bond had suffered much from chills and ague and their periodical recurrences actuated him to seek a more healthful climate. During a long and interesting western tour, covering a period of many months, Mr. Bond traveled over the greater parts of Colorado, California, Wyoming and other western states and territories, going as far north as British Columbia and other of the English possessions, visiting many places of interest and greatly building up his worn-out bodily energies. While in the west he was variously engaged at different towns and upon his return to Henry County was strong and healthy physically, having gotten rid of the last vestige of malaria in the course of his travels. Since his return Mr. Bond has made his home with his sister, Maryann Garretson, widow of the late Joel Garretson, who is now a resident of New Castle, though formerly resided in Pendleton. They have a beautiful and pleasant home, supplied with all the comforts and conveniences calculated to make life desirable. He owns a valuable farm within one and a half miles of the city limits and devotes his attention largely to agriculture and stock raising, although interested in various local enterprises, among which is the shovel factory at New Castle, in the organization of which he was one of the principal movers. He is a large stockholder in this establishment and realizes from his investment no inconsiderable part of his income, although his efforts in the line, of farming and stock raising have brought him liberal financial returns. As a man and citizen Mr. Bond enjoys the confidence of the people of the city and county and none stand higher than he in publicity, preferring to live a quiet life and to be known merely as a citizen. Reared a Republican and having always supported the principles of the party, he has kept out of active politics, having no taste in that direction and no ambition to gratify in the way of official honors. In religion he is a birthright member of the Hick-site branch of the Society of Friends and has always endeavored to make his life correspond to the beautiful and simple teachings of that excellent body of worshippers. Personally he is one of New Castle’s most popular men and the county of Henry is honored in having such as he numbered among its intelligent, progressive and representative citizens.