Blackford County Biography Ref. Page

LOUIS L. NEEDLER. Bearing one of the old and substantial family names of Grant county, Louis L. Needler has well upheld the traditions of the family, is applying in the manner of his generation advanced principles to his main business as a farmer, is a man of broad outlook and both practical and theoretical education, and while successful in his private affairs does not neglect the public interests, and at the present time is in his fifth year as township trustee of Jefferson township. Mr. Needler was elected trustee for the regular term of four years but while he was serving that term the state legislature passed a law extending the term of office of all trustees then in office, to six years, simply adding two additional years to the terms of those who were in office at that time, but still continuing the term as four years. That explains how Mr. Needler happens to be on his sixth year in office now, although he was only elected for a four-year term. Jefferson citizens are to be congratulated on the excellent administration which he has given to the important matters entrusted by Indiana laws to a township trustee, especially the local schools. Mr. Needler is just the man who by training, by native breadth of mind, and by education realizes the needs of a twentieth century school, and has done much to improve educational facilities and also methods of instructions in this township, which will compare favorably with any other section of its size and wealth in eastern Indiana. Mr. Needler has fifteen teachers under his control, and eleven first-class brick schools in the township. At the present writing, a large two-room modern brick schoolhouse is being constructed to accommodate districts. Besides these schools just enumerated there is the separate school system of the village of Upland. Mr. Needler is the better able to appreciate the needs of the local schools, from the fact that he taught for two years before his election to the office of trustee. He graduated from the Upland high school in the class of 1904.

Louis L. Needler was born in Jefferson township, April 19, 1884, and was reared in that township. When he was a baby his mother died and Mrs. Mary A. Hineline, a sister of his mother, took him at the age of ten days and he was raised by Obed T. and Mary A. Hineline as their own child, on the farm on which he and family now live. He received his primary education in the district school, later attending the Upland High School. During 1906-07, he spent some time in Purdue University as a student of scientific farming, and is still a student and observer in the practical laboratory of his farm. He manages and controls two hundred and forty acres, a part of which he owns, and he and his wife also own a farm of eighty acres in Blackford county.

Mr. Needler comes of an old family, his grandfather having been James Needler, and his father Joseph Needler, both of whom present honored names in the history of Grant county, and more will be found about them elsewhere in this work. Grandfather Needler died in Grant county, and Joseph Needler is still living one of the successful farmers of Jefferson township, where he has spent all his life. Joseph Needler married Nancy J. Owings, who was born in Delaware county, Indiana, October 14, 1844, and died at her home on April 29, 1884, when her son Louis L. was ten days old. She left four children, Augustus, the oldest, died at the age of twenty-one years; Orlando C., the second child, is a farmer in Jefferson township; Lacy is the wife of Carl Osborn, a farmer of Blackford county, Indiana.

Louis L. Needler was married September 4, 1908, to Emma E. Jones, who was born April 13, 1884, and was educated in the schools of Fairmount township. She is a daughter of the late Hiram A. Jones, whose career is sketched on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Needler have two children: Joseph Hiram, born September 10, 1909; and Harvey Burton, born April 21, 1912. Mr. Needler is a Democrat and a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge at Matthews.

Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana A Chronicle of their People Past and Present with Family Lineage and Personal Memoirs Compiled Under the Editorial Supervision of Benjamin G. Shinn
Volume I Illustrated
The Lewis Publishing Company Chicago and New York 1914
Submitted by Peggy Karol

JOHN A. FRAZIER. Among the public officials of Center township, in Grant county, Indiana, is John A. Frazier, one of the most popular and able men who have ever served the township. As trustee he has faithfully discharged his duties, carrying out the work of his office with the same careful attention to details which made him a successful farmer. He has lived in this vicinity all of his life and is widely known throughout the country, having always taken an active part in public affairs.

John A. Frazier is the fifth child of Alexander and Jane (Frazier) Frazier. Alexander Frazier was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Highland county, in the same state. Alexander Frazier came to Grant county in 1835, locating on sections No. 2 and No. 11, in Center township. Here he proceeded to clear a farm and here he lived all of his life, dying on April 10, 1888. His wife died in 1893. They had ten children, five of whom are now living. Pharaba, the eldest daughter, is the widow of John M. Smith, of Marion; Aaron, the eldest son, died in Kansas about fifteen years ago; Mary died sixteen years ago; Alice is the wife of Edward Phillips, of Marion; John A. is the next; Elisha died in infancy; Elizabeth died in her young womanhood, a victim of diphtheria; Mary lives in Oklahoma; Eli is also a resident of Oklahoma, and Albert died five years ago.

John A. Frazier was born on the home farm, three miles east of Marion, on the 17th of August, 1849, and he lived on that same farm until ten years ago, or during a period of fifty-five years. Over half a century in one place is a record worthy of our cousins across the water in England. John A. Frazier received his education in the public schools of the county and for ten weeks attended a private school in Marion. After completing his education he taught school for a time in Grant county, in Monroe and Center townships. He then went to farming and after his father's death, when the latter's farms were divided, a part of the old home place fell to his share. He operated this farm of fifty-three acres until 1909 when he removed to Marion, where he has lived since that time.

It was in the Fall of 1908 that Mr. Frazier was elected township trustee of Center township and he went into office on January 1, 1909. He was a constable of Van Buren township for a few years during a six year residence in the latter township, and for fifteen years he was deputy assessor of Center township. He is a member of the Republican party and has served as precinct committeeman. In religious matters he is a member of the Friends church.

Mr. Frazier was married in June, 1875, to Miss Margaret Lugar, who was born in Monroe township, Grant county, and a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Lugar. They became the parents of eight children, of whom five are living. Two of these children died in infancy and Willie was only a child when he died. The others are John, who now lives in section 11, Center township; Gertrude, who is the wife of Wendel Phillips, of Washington township; Pharaba who married George Blinn and lives eight miles northeast of Marion; Silas, who is a student in high school, and Helen, who is also a pupil in the high school of Marion.

LEWIS S. MARKS. Holding secure poise as one of the vigorous, resourceful and representative business men of Grant county, and exemplifying distinctive civic loyalty and progressiveness, Mr. Marks is a man who commands unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community and is associated with one of the most important and substantial of the retail business concerns of the thriving city of Marion, metropolis and judicial center of the county. He is a senior member of the firm of Blumeuthal & Company, the large and admirably equipped mercantile establishment which controls a trade that is far reaching and of representative order. The progressive policies of the firm are in harmony with the best and most modern methods, and fair and honorable dealings have given to Blumenthal a reputation that constitutes its best commercial asset.

Mr. Marks claims the old Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity and though he is most loyal thereto and most appreciative of its manifold attractions, he finds satisfaction in having given fealty to Indiana, in which commonwealth he has found ample scope for the attaining of large and worthy success. Mr. Marks was born in the city of Rochester, New York, on the 12th of February, 1859, and is a son of Simon and Hannah (Cockenthal) Marks, both natives of Germany. Mr. Marks gained his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native city, where he availed himself of the advantages of the high school, and he admirably fortified himself for active life by completing the commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Rochester.

On the 4th of April, 1877, when but eighteen years of age, Mr. Marks came to Marion, Indiana, and here he forthwith assumed a clerical position in the mercantile establishment of Blumenthal & Company. Energy, ability, discrimination and courtesy gained to him the confidence and esteem of his employers and the good will of patrons, so that he won steady and substantial advancement. This is significantly shown in the fact that on the first of January, 1880, about three years after coming to Marion, he was admitted to the firm of which he is now the senior partner and with the affairs of which he has been closely and worthily identified during the entire period of his residence in the fair capital city of Grant county. He has proved specially versatile and resourceful in the executive control and general management of the extensive enterprise and its pronounced success has been signally furthered through his well directed endeavors. He has insistently followed high business ideals as well as progressive methods, and of these the local public has been duly appreciative. In a personal way his success is most gratifying to contemplate, and he well merits the high esteem in which he is held in the city which has been the stage of his fruitful activities from the initiation of his business career.

In the midst of the cares and exactions of a signally alert and successful business career Mr. Marks has not become self-centered or selfish, but he has been, on the contrary, significantly liberal and public-spirited in his civic attitude, ever ready to do all in his power to encourage and support measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community. He is specially interested in the work and affairs of the public schools of his adopted city and that he is a valued factor in the directing of the same is shown by the fact that he is at the present time president of the board of education of Marion. His nature and view point are such that he has no desire to enter the turmoil of practical politics, though he accords a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and in his home city he is a popular member of the lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.

The home life of Mr. Marks is one of ideal relations and Mrs. Marks is popular in connection with the social affairs of the community. On the 22d of October, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marks to Miss Mattie Straus, of Lyons, Wayne county, New York, and the three children of this union are Seymour, Miram and Walter.

CAPTAIN JOHN W. MILES, the quartermaster of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Marion, Indiana, is a man highly respected throughout the community. Captain Miles is a native of the city of Marion, and was in business in this community for many years. His record during the Civil war is an enviable one, and that in his work he should now be associated with his old comrades in arms seems peculiarly appropriate. Captain Miles as a business man was widely known for his honesty and integrity and, as quartermaster of the large institution above mentioned, he has won the approbation of the soldiers and the authorities alike.

Captain John W. Miles was born in Marion, Indiana, on the 6th of December, 1842, the son of William C. and Mary J. (Moore) Miles. William C. Miles was a native of the state of Virginia and his wife was from Ohio. He came to Marion in 1836, being a blacksmith by trade. He was elected treasurer of Grant county in 1858 for a term of two years and in 1862 was again elected to that office for two years. After this public service Mr. Miles went into the boot and shoe business in Marion, in which he was engaged for a number of years. He was a member of the old Christian church, and in the fraternal world was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He died in 1887, his wife having died many years before in March, 1849, when John W. Miles was only five years of age. Of the five children born to William C. Miles and his wife, only two are now living, the captain and his sister, Mrs. Sue Miller, of Marion. After the death of his first wife William C. Miles married again, his wife being Miss Rebecca Pierce. They became the parents of two children, Ada Miles and Joseph M. Miles, both of whom reside in Marion.

Captain Miles received his education in the old Marion Academy which became defunct soon after the Civil war began. In December, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, serving as second lieutenant until September, 1865. After the war Captain Miles became associated with his father in the boot and shoe business in Marion and it was while he was thus engaged that he was elected to serve as deputy county auditor. He held this office from 1867 to 1870, and then he removed to Logansport, Indiana, where he lived for a year, being district cashier for a sewing machine company. He then returned to Marion and entered the bank of Jason Willson and Company. For fifteen years he was employed in this financial institution and then his election as county auditor on the Republican ticket caused him to leave the bank. He took office in 1887 and served until 1891.

After leaving the auditor's office Captain Miles engaged in the manufacture of bicycles and later in the manufacture of brick. It was in 1901 that he came to the National Home for Volunteer Disabled Soldiers as chief clerk in the quartermaster's office and in 1906 he himself was made quartermaster of this large institution.

Captain Miles has been a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons since January 1, 1865, and he has filled all the chairs in the Masonic bodies of the Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Commandery. He was High Priest of Marion Chapter, No. 55, for seven years. In religious matters, Captain Miles is an active member of the Congregational church, being a deacon in that body.

In 1866, Captain Miles was married to Miss Hallie Wolf, a daughter of Conrad Wolf of Grant county, and they have become the parents of two children, Wilbur R. Miles and Mrs. B. C. Brimacombe, the wife of Dr. Brimacombe, of Marion.

JOHN DULING. The name Duling has been identified with Grant county for more than seventy years. The pioneer was a farmer and minister, and belonged to that hardy type of settlers, whose spiritual zeal was equal to his fortitude in enduring the hardships of the frontier. The Mr. John Duling named above is now living retired on a beautiful country estate in section nineteen of Jefferson township, and after many years of toil and successful management is able to enjoy the fruits of prosperity, and the regard of his community. John Duling's grandfather was Edmund Duling, born in Virginia, and of an old Virginia line of ancestry. He was married in his home state, and later moved to Ohio, settling in Coshocton county. There his years were spent as a farmer, and his death came when about eighty years of age. His wife, it is believed, died some years previously. They were active members of the Methodist Protestant church, and had a large family. Of their children, Rev. Solomon Duling, father of John, was one of the oldest, and was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1813. Growing up on a farm, he was trained in the school of pioneer hardships, and early manifested inclinations for the hard manual labor of the frontier, and also for the spiritual activities of the church. He became an early convert to the Methodist Protestant faith, and after he was married, and moved to Indiana, he began the active work of the itinerant preacher. In Coshocton county, Solomon Duling married Jane Hubert, who was born in Ohio, about 1815. Two children were born to their marriage in Ohio, Daniel and Edmund. Then about 1841-42, Solomon Duling brought his little household to Grant county, and on Barren Creek in Jefferson township, acquired eighty acres of land in the midst of the woods, and he erected his log cabin home, started the work of clearing, grubbing, fencing, cultivating the constantly expanding tract of free ground, and by close economy, by living on the wild game which was then so plentiful, he prospered steadily, and his name is one which deserves lasting remembrance, in his section of Grant county. The most noteworthy feature of his life, was his church work. He was early ordained a minister of the Methodist Protestant faith, and from that time forward led in the work of organization and all church activities. He organized many churches throughout this section of Indiana, and labored in behalf of religion all the years. Many sacrifices of his private interests were made in behalf of his church, and there was no obstacle which would prevent his attending to this church duties, if it was humanly possible. He went over the worst of roads, swam the rivers, and he and his big bay horse were seen going and coming in all seasons of the year, and in many remote districts. Often in crossing the streams, his feet would be frozen fast in the stirrups. Thus he labored for the spiritual upbuilding of his community, and at the same time his thrift and industrious management of home, enabled him to accumulate a generous prosperity. He had come to Indiana with only one hundred dollars and most of that was paid at the Fort Wayne Land office for the purchase of his eighty acres of land. From that start his success grew, until at one time his possessions aggregated nearly one thousand acres of land. After a long and useful life, in the esteem of a wide circle of friends, Rev. Solomon Duling died in 1871. During the Civil war he was president of the Indiana State Conference of the Methodist Protestant church, and his labors were earnestly directed towards preventing a division of the church on the issue which split so many other church denominations of America. However, the division occurred, in spite of all his efforts and those of many others of like persuasion. Solomon Duling for a number of years served as trustee of his township. During the war he was strongly for the Union, was Republican in politics, and sent three of his sons, Edmund, Elijah, and Joel, to the defense of the Stars and Stripes. All these sons gave excellent account of themselves as efficient and faithful soldiers, and served in Indiana regiments. Edmund was seriously wounded in the knee by a rebel bullet at Vicksburg, and died of lockjaw while being transferred to the hospital. The other sons, although also actively engaged on many fields of battle and in many campaigns returned home on the old homestead at Jefferson township in 1910.

Of the eleven children in the family John Duling and his sister Sina M., the wife of Bertney R. Jones, of Marion, are the only ones still living. John Duling was born on the old homestead in Jefferson township, December 8, 1846. His boyhood was spent in the decade previous to the Civil war, and his recollections cover a great variety of changes and developments in Grant county. As a boy he attended the district schools, was trained to work, grew up in the atmosphere of culture and religion which pervaded the Duling home, and since attaining manhood has steadily prospered as a farmer and stock raiser. His possessions, most of which represent his individual capability and business judgment, are measured by four hundred acres of land, excellently improved, and rated at a high value on the assessment rolls, all located in section nineteen of Jefferson township.

In his home township in 1873, John Duling married Miss Lydia Ann Stout. She was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, January 10, 1854, was five years of age when the family moved to Peru, Indiana, and in 1869 came to Grant county, where she was married four years later. Her parents, William and Elizabeth B. Hinks Stout were born, the father in Guernsey county, Ohio, September 6, 1828, and the mother in Fulton county, Ohio, September 10, 1833. They were married in Ohio, and after settling in Grant county Mrs. Stout died April 19, 1875, at the birth of her last son, John. Mr. Stout was again married, moved into Jay county, Indiana, where he died in November, 1908, being then seventy-nine years of age. His widow still lives. There were no children by the second marriage, while Mrs. Duling was one of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, all married and have families of their own. William Stout was a practical mechanic, followed his trade for a number of years, was also a railroad man, and after locating in Jay county became a farmer. He and his wife were Methodist, and in politics he was a Democrat.

The children of Mr. and Mrs.. Duling are mentioned as follows: 1. Minnie B. is the wife of T. Burr Wilson, and they reside on Mr. Duling's farm. Their two children are Alfred Garr and Robert. 2. Capitola May is the wife of William Reasoner, and their home is on a farm in Blackford county. Their children are: Clifford, Paul, Opal, Lloyd, Howard, Arthur, and Ruth. 3. Solomon Arthur is a graduate of the State University, was a teacher for four years, then studied law, and is now engaged in practice in the state of Oklahoma. He is unmarried. 4. Pearle Blanche is the wife of Clayton Secrist, and their home is in Santa Barbara, California. Their children are Robert D. and Walter. 5. Earl William is a farmer near Indianapolis, and by his marriage to May Solomon of Fowlerton has two children, Byron M. and Meredith E.

Mr. and Mrs. Duling are active members of the Fowlerton Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Duling has served as trustee of that church and is at the present time a member of the township advisory board, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

JAMES O. HINDS. In Green township seven miles north of Elwood is the home of James O. Hinds. Mr. Hinds and family have lived in this county nearly thirty years. When he and his wife were married and took up the task of winning a home for themselves, their start was on a rented farm. Much can be accomplished by youth and energy, when guided by worthy ambition, and now the Hinds family have a comfortable home, an improved estate, which measures up to the high values set on Grant county land, and among other good things which they enjoy they drive to town in a late model Buick automobile. When they made their start they were satisfied with a farm wagon as their vehicle of travel.

James O. Hinds was born in Fayette county, Indiana, June 22, 1850, a son of E. A. and Emily (Hopkins) Hinds, both of whom were born in Ohio, came to Indiana, and located in Fayette county. Later the parents move to Rush county, Indiana, and still later in life to Tipton county, which continued to be the home of the father until his death at the advanced age of eighty-four years. There were five children in the family and two are now living. The brother of Mr. Hinds, William E. Hinds, a retired farmer of Elwood. Two of the others lived to have families of their own, and one sister died at the age of nineteen years.

James O. Hinds lived in Fayette county for a few years, and in Rush county grew up on a farm and received a common school education. He remained at home with his father until he was twenty-one years old, and when he started out for himself, as a growing boy, it was in the humblest capacity of farm laborer at eight dollars a month. Then in 1871 he married Miss Annetta Barger, of Johnson county, Indiana. She was reared in Rush county, and was educated in the public schools. Mrs. Hinds is a daughter of George W. Barger and Sarah F. Helms, the former a native of Blacksburg, Virginia, and the latter was born near Muscatine, Iowa.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hinds lived in Rush county a short time, later in Johnson county, where he was a renter then returned to Rush county, and again spent some time in Johnson county. In the meantime the father of Mrs. Hinds died, and they sold their interest in the estate for one thousand dollars, a capital which gave them a good start, and about which they have accumulated their present generous prosperity. In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Hinds moved to Grant county, locating in Green township on the estate where they still have their home.

To their marriage were born eight children, seven of whom are now living, namely: Lee Hinds, who is married, is a preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist church, and also a farmer of Huntington county; William Franklin, married, lives in Green township, is a preacher in Holiness Christian Church; Charles E. is married and lives in Madison county; James A., has a family of his own and is a resident of Green township; Thomas D., has his home in Madison county; Nola B., is the wife of Samuel Noble of Madison county; Locia F., is the wife of Joel Butner of Tipton county.

Politically Mr. Hinds gives his support to the Prohibitionist cause, and is always ready to support any movement for the improvement and welfare of his community. His home farm is under splendid cultivation, and he and his family not only have a delightful homestead but all the facilities for business like farming, can be found about their estate, and they conduct the farm as a profitable enterprise in the same way that a manufacturer would run his factory.

Deb Murray