He was the uncle of Thomas Andrews Hendricks, who was also Governor of Indiana and Vice President of the United States.

His term as governor was spent repairing the state's finances to later enable large scale internal improvements.

The establishment of the basic framework of the state's public school system and the transfer of the capital from Corydon to Indianapolis also occurred during his term.

After completing college he moved west to Ohio where his older brother Obadiah operated a law practice, and briefly lived in his home.

The Western Eagle combated the pro-slavery Vincennes Sun, and garnered considerable support from the eastern settlers.

The legislature, which was then dominated by the anti-slavery and pro-statehood faction, appointed Hendricks as printer and charged with publishing the assembly's records.

The same year he opened his own law practice and stopped printing his newspaper for lack of time for the enterprise.

[9] He was again in party with Jonathan Jennings, Dennis Pennington, and others seeking to institute a constitutional ban on slavery.

That same year Hendricks was elected as the only Indiana representative, defeating former territorial governor Thomas Posey.

His election occurred shortly before Indiana's statehood had been approved by Congress and there was a brief debate about the legality of seating him when he arrived in Washington, D.C., but the situation was resolved in his favor.

He supported legislation to fund the construction of the National Road, which would connect Indiana with the eastern states.

In his final reelection bid, he won by a margin of ten to one, and was recognized as one of the most popular political figures in the state.

Governor Hendricks, hoping to maintain peace and enforce justice for the tribe, ordered the murderers to be captured and tried.

[13] Governor Hendricks had denied his appeal for clemency and used the execution to show the natives his goodwill.

Lieutenant Governor Ratliff Boon had resigned earlier and the governorship devolved to James B. Ray, the Senate president pro tempore.

Back in Congress in 1825, Hendricks was an Anti-Jacksonian, supporting federal funding for western internal improvements.

[18] Having served in public office for twenty-nine years continually, Hendricks returned to private life in Madison in 1839.

In his obituary the Indiana Gazetteer said: "Governor Hendricks was for many years by far the most popular man in the State.

He left no letter unanswered, no public office or document did he fail to visit or examine on request; with personal manners very engaging, he long retained his popularity.