Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. p. 686-687.

THOMAS A. F. DOAN was born in Staffordshire, England, June 10, 1845, and immigrated to America in 1870. His first permanent location was made at Ossian, in 1870. He is a miller by trade, and for several years was engaged in a large merchant mill at Burton-on-Trent. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Foundling) Doan, also natives of England, and they reared four children—Mary A., who is the wife of Samuel Kirby, miner; Emma, wife of John Blackshaw, laborer; Sarah deceased, and Thomas; all are in England except Thomas. After his arrival at Ossian Mr. Doan was employed in the stave factory of L. M. Cary, and later at Decatur, Adams County. In 1871 he returned to Ossian, and the 18th of August, the following year, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and identified himself with the Republican party. In 1875 he purchased an interest in the saw and planing-mills of Koons & Co., which has continued to the present time. He is bookkeeper of the firm and looks after the general interests of the mill. Mr. Doan was first married in England, to Annie White, and they had one son, Richard, who died at the age of three months. Mrs. Doan died October 8, and the son October 28, 1869. Mr. Doan's second wife, whom he married October 17, 1872, was Miss Mary E. Metts, the marriage ceremony being performed by Rev. L. Roberts, of Ossian. Mrs. Doan is the daughter of James and Miranda (Sutton) Metts, who were among the pioneer families of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Doan are the parents of two children—Maggie Mabel and William Metts. Mr. Doan has become one of the foremost business men of Ossian, and is very highly esteemed in his community.