The following is a sketch from the book Biographical and historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington. Indiana Compiled and published by John M. Gresham & Co., Chicago. 1889 which I copied at the Sons of the Revolution library in Glendale, California: John J. PILES, Farmer, Monroe township, was born Nov. 23, 1823, in KY, and is the son of William PILES, a native of Henry County, KY. His father, Conericus PILES, a native of Virginia, was one of the famous "hunters of Kentucky" of Daniel Boone's days, and was a Revolutionary soldier. William PILES settled in Switzerland County, IN as early as 1825 or 1826 where he lived for many years. There he married Elizabeth Haydon, who was the daughter of William Haydon, a native of Virginia, who removed to KY at an early time of his life and lived there a great many years. Of this family, Ben, Jackson, Thomas and Bland Haydon were soldiers in the War of 1812-15. Mr. John J. PILES was a son of these parents, and was raised on a farm. In 1846 he was married to Miss Cynthia A. Rayburn, daughter of R. Rayburn, a native of KY, of Irish ancestry. Her mother Nancy Ryden, was a native of KY. Mr. PILES and wife have never had any children of their own, but have furnished homes for five of other parents, namely: Chas. U. Kenen, Martin L. Rayburn, Nancy J. PILES, and her two daughters, Laura B. and Elizabeth. Mr. Piles went at the first call for troops in the Rebellion, as a private in Co. D, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, and was in all the battles of his regiment, viz: Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, etc. The regiment was with Sherman in his famous "March to the Sea." Served three years, and came back to farmer's life, settling in Jefferson county, Monroe township. He is a member of the G.A.R. and is a good citizen.