THOMAS J. PENCE, farmer; P.O. Conover; was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Feb. 24, 1847, and is a son of James T. and Nancy (Shidler) Pence; James was a native of Lost Creek Township, and Nancy of Pennsylvania; they had by this union seven children, all of whom are now living. Our subject was raised on the farm, where he assisted his father in the agricultural duties connected therewith, and in his boyhood days enjoyed the privileges of the district schools, where he obtained a common education, and since his majority he has improved the same by self-study, particularly in the science of mathematics; in 1868, he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 8, Brown Township, Miami Co., which is under good cultivation, and since has also purchased 80 acres in Wells Co., Ind. Dec 18, 1848, he married Mary E. Blackford, who is a daughter of David and Sarah A. Blackford.