JOEL DULING. A life of quiet effectiveness, marked by a record of many duties well done, and many responsibilities faithfully fulfilled, was that of the late Joel Duling, who was born in Jefferson township of Grant county, April 13, 1844, spent all his career in this county, and died on his fine rural homestead in Jefferson township, June 17, 1910. In early life he was a soldier, bearing arms in defense of the Union, spent many active years as a substantial farmer, and left a record both in business and citizenship, which may well be envied and admired.

The late Joel Duling was a son of Rev. Solomon and Jane (Hubert) Duling, both natives of Ohio, who after their marriage moved to Indiana, during the decade of the thirties and entered land direct from the government in Jefferson township of Grant county. There they were pioneers, did their share of work, contributing towards the development of the country, and lived blameless and upright lives. Solomon Duling made a good home for his family, and died in Jefferson township when fifty-seven years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty-four. He was one of the pioneer preachers of the Methodist Protestant faith, in this section of Indiana and a detailed record of his experiences would include much of the pioneer history, not only of his church, but of the people and community. He bore almost unnumbered hardships often exposed himself by swimming the swollen streams on horseback, and during the winter times his clothing would often freeze while riding along the lonely roads between different meetings. He was a devoted church worker, and labored earnestly for the spiritual upbuilding of his community. His death occurred in 1871. His wife was likewise a faithful member of the same church. They had eleven children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, three were married and two are still living. John lives on a farm in Jefferson township, and the daughter Sina M. is the wife of Burton R. Jones, living in Marion, and they are the parents of a son and a daughter. Three of the Duling household were soldiers in the Civil war, including the late Joel Duling, and also his brothers Edmund and Elijah. Edmund was shot through the knee while on a gunboat on the Mississippi river and died soon afterwards from lockjaw, caused by the wound. He was a widower, at the time of his death and his daughter Sarah J. is married and lives in Ohio. Elijah Duling spent three years in the war, returned home, and when past thirty-five years and still a bachelor, died as a result of a train wreck.

The late Joel Duling was reared on the old farm, and at the last call for troops, enlisted before he was twenty years old in I864, and served until the end of the struggle. His military service lasted about one year, and most of that time he was on detached duty. When the war came to an end, he had just reached his majority, and on returning home he followed the labor of the home farm until 1868. In that year his marriage caused him to start independently on a tract of eighty acres given him by his father in Fairmount township. Thirteen years of management of that estate brought him considerable prosperity, and he then bought the old homestead in Jefferson township, and lived there until his death. His farm comprised two hundred and forty acres, and part of it was entered by his father from the government, and has never had any owners except the Dulings. His attention was given to general farming and stock raising, and he set an example of thrift and enterprise in his community. The farm was well improved with buildings, and in every direction it showed the careful industry and thrift of its owner.

Joel Duling was married May 3, 1868, in Mill township, to Miss Mary C. Roush. Her family is one of the oldest and most distinguished in Grant county. Mrs. Duling herself was born in Mill township February 18, 1843, was reared and educated in that community, and since her marriage has devoted herself earnestly and without stint to the interests of her husband and household and was an important factor in making the generous prosperity that belongs to the name. In 1910, her husband's death occurred, and Mrs. Doling in September, 1911, moved to Matthews and bought a pleasant home on Eighth street, where she and her son are now living and are enjoying quiet and peaceful days. Her parents were William and Jane (McCormick) Roush. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1818, and her mother in Grant county, in the pioneer year 1824, seven years before Grant county became organized with a civil government. Jane McCormick was a daughter of Robert McCormick, whose name stands conspicuous in the pioneer annals of Grant county. He entered some fifteen or sixteen hundred acres of land in this county, and at one time was the largest land owner in this section, most of his property being in Jefferson township. Robert McCormick died in Grant county, when less than sixty rears of age, and his widow whose maiden name was Ann McCormick but not related, married for her second husband, John Fankboner and died when she was ninety-four years of age. William Roush came from Pennsylvania to Grant county when a young man, married in Jefferson township, became the owner of two hundred acres of good land, and spent his career in quiet industry in that township. His death occurred April 5, 1904, and his wife passed away November 12, 1907. They were of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. and Mrs. Roush had thirteen children during their married career, including one pair of twins. The following grew to maturity: Mrs. Duling; Madison, who died a bachelor at the age of sixty-four years; William, who is married and has two daughters and lives in Jonesboro; Fremont, who lives in Jonesboro, and has two daughters; Isaac who died in March, 1863, in a hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, after a year's service in the Union army, being unmarried at the time; John, who lives on a farm in Clark county, Indiana, and is married but has no children.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Duling are mentioned as follows: Ada, who is the wife of Charles B. Hook, and lives on a part of the old Duling homestead in Jefferson township, is the mother of five children: Virgil D., Nondas M., Paul Joel, Raymond I., and Hubert Mc. Allie died when sixteen years of age. William Solomon, who is a bachelor, lives with his mother in Matthews, and owns and operates a part of the old homestead. Virgil B., is a successful farmer, owns eighty acres in Fairmount township, and by his marriage to Olive Himelick, has one daughter, Mary. Winnie F., died when nearly eighteen years of age. Clara B. died in infancy. Mrs. Duling, as was her husband, is an active member of the Methodist Protestant church. Their married companionship lasted for forty-two years, and was one of utmost harmony and effective cooperation; they provided we1l for their family of children, laid up a competence for their own comfort, contributed liberally to the community and to the church, and are the class of people upon which the progress of any state or nation must chiefly depend. The late Mr. Duling was an active Republican in politics. As an old soldier he had affiliations with the New Cumberland Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Duling's father, William Roush was at the time of his death the oldest member of the Masonic Order in Grant county, and very prominent in the different Masonic bodies.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt


AMOS PUGH. One of Grant county's sterling citizens, for many years an active farmer of Jefferson township, and a man whose quiet and upright character, left its impress in his community, was the late Amos Pugh, who died at his homestead in section fourteen of Jefferson township, April 12, 1905.

Amos Pugh was born in that township, on the old Pugh estate, entered by his father, on July 17, 1844, and was sixty-one years of age, when death came to him. He was reared and educated in his home locality, and from young manhood followed farming, and with such industry and good management that he left his family in good circumstances. From 1884 until his death he lived on a farm of forty acres in section fourteen. His personal labors had entered into the development of that place, and among its improvements are a comfortable nine-room house, surrounded with attractive grounds, and also a good barn. Mr. Pugh lived his later years as almost an invalid, and his death was from bright's disease.

The parents of the late Amos Pugh were Marshall and Elizabeth Pugh, who were born in Virginia, were married in Ohio and in the latter twenties, or early thirties came to Indiana and took up land in the wilderness of Grant county. Their first log-cabin home was built in the green woods, and as they possessed the hardy character of the typical pioneers they prospered in proportion to their efforts. Marshall Pugh was born in 1795, and his wife in 1804. They were working members of the Methodist faith, and assisted in the organization of the old Shiloh M. E. Church, and Marshall Pugh gave the cemetery in which the body of himself and wife now lie side by side. They had a large family of children, and the only survivor is Alfred, a justice of the peace at Upland, who lives with his children.

On January 18, 1866, Amos Pugh was married in Jefferson township to Margaret Walker, who was born in that locality August 27, 1842, and is now living on the Pugh homestead. She was reared and educated in her native township, and after her marriage entered actively into the plans and works of her husband and was a good manager and largely responsible for the success which came to both of them. Since her husband's death she has lived on the farm, and has done much to increase its value and improvements. Mrs. Pugh is a daughter of John and Miriam (Case) Walker. John Walker was born in Virginia, a son of Joseph Walker, and when a young man moved to Ohio, where he married in Preble county. Two children were born in that county, and in 1834, the Walker family came on further west and found location in Grant county. The journey was made across the country with wagon and team, and they entered upon their possessions in Grant county as typical pioneers. The portion of the land which he secured for his homestead was in the school section, and the father devoted many years of labor to the clearing up and developing of a home. A man of exceptional education, he not only did farming, but spent the winter seasons for a number of years in teaching in the community. His death occurred in Jefferson township in July 1845, when only thirty-six years of age. Some years later his widow married Jesse Ballinger, and they reared a family, and died on their farm in Grant county, she being past seventy- five years of age, and he a little older. There were six children in the Ballinger household. John Walker and wife also had six children, namely: Samuel, who died in 1908, in Jefferson township, where he was a farmer, and left two children; Catherine, became the wife of James Needler, and they are both now deceased, leaving a family; Mary died after her marriage to William Simons, who now lives at Summitsville, Indiana; Sarah J., died when nine months old. The next in line is Mrs. Pugh, and William C. Walker, deceased, was a well known carpenter of Grant county, to whom is accorded separate space in this volume.

Mrs. Pugh is a member of the Jefferson Christian Church as was her husband. The latter always voted the Democratic ticket. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Pugh was William Elmer, who was born October 21, 1866, was well educated, took up the occupation of milling, and after some years spent in that business he died at the home of his parents, November 5, 1894. He was at that time less than thirty years of age, was a young man of great promise, and very popular in the community. In polities he gave his support to the Prohibition cause and voted for the candidate, Mr. St. John. Mrs. Pugh has also fostered two children, and has given them the care and affection of a true mother. The first of these is Effie, who was well educated in the public schools, and who married O. C. Needler, a successful young farmer in Jefferson township, and a son of Joseph Needler. Mrs. Pugh also reared a niece, Lois E. Simons, and she was married at the Pugh homestead to Louis Hanley.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt


THOMAS J. LUCAS. Among the old families of Grant county, that bearing the name of Lucas has been identified with this region since the days when the wilderness and the Indians prevailed. Its members have followed farming chiefly as their occupation, though the name is also represented in the profession and in public affairs. Mr. Thomas J. Lucas of Fairmount has for many years been a successful farmer, and is now active in public affairs as county commissioner from the third district of the county.

The family ancestry goes back to early Scotch settlers of America. The first home of the family in America was in the state of Virginia, where the Lucases and related families lived for several generations. The grandfather of Thomas J. Lucas was Basil Lucas, a native of Virginia, who married a Miss Milburn. A recent investigator of this family records has shown that Mr. Lucas is a direct kinsman of General Thomas Jefferson Lucas, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and also in the war with Mexico during the 40s. General L. J. Lucas was a son of General Lucas, who gained distinction as a soldier under Napoleon in the French wars. Basil Lucas was also related to William Penn, the founder of the Pennsylvania colony.

After his marriage in Virginia, Basil Lucas emigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where he was one of the early settlers, and where he followed farming. He died when about eighty years of age, and his wife was probably about the same age at the time of her death. They were Methodists in religion, and the father voted the Democratic ticket. The children of these parents were: 1. Basil, Jr., a farmer, who came to Grant county, where he died. He reared two daughters who grew to maturity. 2. Joseph Lucas located in Randolph county, Indiana, married and had a family of six children of whom one is still living. 3. John, married in Ohio, then came to Randolph county, Indiana, later to Grant county, where he died. He left the following named children: Noah, Julia, David, Anna, and Mary, the last two being still alive. 4. Rev. Simeon came to Randolph county, and spent all his active career as a preacher for the Methodist Church. He was married in Ohio, and he and his wife left a family of children. 5. Noah, lived and died in Ohio, where he was married and had two sons. 6. Thomas Milburn was the father of Thomas J. Lucas, and his family record is given at greater length hereafter. 7. William was a veteran of the Mexican war, and for his services in that conflict received a grant of land in the old Indian Reserve in Grant county. After improving this estate he moved to Ohio and died in Allen county of that state. He was a devout Methodist, and a great worker for his church. He was married but had no children. William Lucas was also distinguished as a powerful athlete, and in the early days often wrestled with the Indians. 8. Sarah married a Mr. Allison, and they lived and died in Illinois, leaving two daughters. 9. Anna married a Mr. Bragg and they spent their lives in Ohio as farmers. In their family was one son who proved his bravery as a Union soldier during the Civil war. 10. Amos, was married, lived in Ohio: and left one son.

Thomas Milburn Lucas, the father, was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 10, 1814. Growing up on a farm, he was one of a number of children, and owning to such a large family and the pioneer circumstances of the times, it was often difficult for the parents to provide all the necessities of life. The children went barefoot throughout the summer season, and as the procuring of shoes was not an easy matter some of the children often went without until well into the winter season. Shortly after he became of age, Thomas M. Lucas was married on May 23 1839, in Ohio, to Mary Moore Shoemaker. She was born in New Jersey, March 30, 1813, and was a child when she came over the Alleghany Mountains in wagon and team to Highland county with her parents Her father, George Shoemaker, married a Miss Moore. Both her parents lived and died on a farm in Ohio, and reached advanced age. The Shoemakers were all Methodists.

In Ohio was born George M. Lucas, the first child of Thomas M. and wife. After his birth the family moved to Grant county. The father had come to this county in 1840, locating a tract of government land on Barren Creek in Jefferson township. He then rode all the way back to Southern Ohio, and after entering and making his first payment on the land at the land office at Fort Wayne, finally set out in 1842 with his young wife and child across country to their new home. The settlement of the Lucas family in Jefferson township was in the midst of the green timber, and their first home was a primitive log cabin, with greased paper for window light, with a puncheon floor, and with a door made of slabs hung on wooden hinges. Practically all the experiences which have been described as a portion of the early settlers of Grant county were participated in by the early Lucas family. Among other things they had to pay a pound of pork for a pound of all the salt used in their establishment. Thomas M. Lucas prospered as a farmer, and eventually owned three hundred and twenty acres of land, having put three hundred acres of this under cultivation and improvement. His death occurred in March, 1874, while his wife survived him several years. Mrs. Lucas, the mother, as a housewife in those pioneer days probably had no superior. She was noted for her excellent cookery, and her children remember that she was as fussy about the cleanliness of her puncheon floor on the old cabin as any modern housewife is about the hardwood floors which are now found in so many Grant county homes. Both father and mother were life-long Methodists, and took part in the first organization of the church in their section of the county. Thomas M. Lucas was an official of the church, a class leader, a trustee, and superintendent of the Sunday school.

The children of Thomas M. Lucas and wife are given the following records on these pages: 1. George died when twelve years of age. 2. Lavina is the wife of Levi Moorman, and lives at Matthews in Grant county. They are the parents of one son, Albert. 3. Albert Lucas, a retired farmer in Jonesboro, of Grant county, married Louisa Kidner, and their children are Otto and Armenta. 4. John, lives in Jefferson township, a prosperous farmer, and married Clementine Jenkins, and their children are Lona, William, Florence, Daisy, Inez, Albert, Charles, and Elizabeth. 5. Anna M. is the wife of William P. Roush, living in Mill township, where they are substantial farming people. Their children are Nettie and Walter, both the children being now deceased. Walter was a student of Purdue and went with a party of students to Indianapolis to a football game, but the train was wrecked and he was killed. 6. Thomas J. was the youngest of the family.

Mr. Thomas J. Lucas was born in Jefferson township at the old homestead, December 18, 1849. His early training was received in the public schools. Taking up the career of farming he early accumulated some property, developed a good homestead, and still has his old farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Jefferson township. It is improved with an excellent barn, a comfortable dwelling, and on its feed lots and pastures run a number of horses, hogs and sheep. He raises corn, oats and wheat, and feeds practically all his crop to his stock. Mr. Lucas continued a resident on the home farm until 1892, when he moved to a house in town, at 117 South Sycamore Street. This is now one of the attractive homes of Fairmount.

September 25, 1872, in Jefferson township, Mr. Lucas married Amanda Dunn. She was born in Jefferson township, December 13, 1852, and received her education in the same locality with her husband. Her parents were Harmon and Mary (Minnick) Dunn. Her father was born in Delaware county, Indiana, about 1822 or 1823. Her mother was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. They were married in Grant county, and started out as farmers in the midst of the wilderness. They hewed a home out of the woods, and were among the substantial pioneer settlers in this section of the state. Mr. Dunn died during the last year of the Civil war in 1864, being in the prime of life. His widow died some years later, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph W. Littler, when seventy-six years of age. The Dunns were Presbyterians in religious faith. The children of the Dunn family were Elzina, widow of Robert F. Careins, and lives at Matthews, and has three sons; Amanda, the second, is Mrs. Lucas; Loretta is the widow of I. H. Shoemaker, and has one son and two daughters, and lives in Oklahoma City; Calvin died at the age of twenty-two; Elizabeth is the wife of J. W. Littler, living in Jefferson township, and the mother of four daughters.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lucas comprise the following children: Dr. Wilbur was born June 22, 1872, was liberally educated and prepared for his profession in the Northwestern University at Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. in 1903. He is now in successful practice at Pueblo, Colorado, and was married October 7, 1908, to Edith M. Johnson of that city, and they have one daughter, Edith Lenore, born December 26, 1910. 2. Carl Dunn Lucas, D. D. S., was born October 24, 1879, graduated from the dental college of Indianapolis, in the class of 1902, and has a high rank as a practitioner of dentistry, and also through his other professional relations. He is a member of the faculty of the Indianapolis Dental College, and has gained a great reputation as a lecturer on dentistry throughout the central states and the west. He married Effie Janet Carter, of Arcadia, Indiana, and they have a son, Carl, Jr. 3. Mabel, was born November 14, 1884, was educated in the Fairmount Academy, and married Dr. L. D. Holiday. Their children are Murrey L. and Philip L. 4. Georgia was born November 9, 1889, was educated in the city grammar and high schools, studied music in the Marion Conservatory, under Professors Owen & Nusbaum, and was later a student under Miss C. Louise Dunning of New York City, but now at Portland, Oregon. Miss Lucas is now taking a normal course, and as a student of great ambition and talents is preparing herself to teach the Dunning course of music.

Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are attendants at the Congregational Church. Mr. Lucas is now serving his second term as county commissioner of Grant county from the Third District, having been chosen on the Democratic ticket. He has also served a term on the Fairmount City Council, and as a successful business man his services to the public have been greatly appreciated by the local citizenship. He is affiliated with Lodge No. 383, I. O. O. F., and with Lodge No. 381, Knights of Pythias, at Fairmount. He has passed all the chairs in these orders. In politics he is regarded as one of the leading Democrats of Grant County and has served as chairman of the township committee, and has frequently attended as a delegate the county, state and congressional sessions.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt


OLIVER BANISTER. At the little village of Hackleman in Liberty township in southwest Grant county, Mr. Banister has the distinction of being the only local merchant. Most of his career has been spent in this part of Grant county, and he has been known to the citizenship as a man of integrity and industry, and has been a valued factor in affairs for many years. At the present time he is giving an excellent administration of the office of township assessor.

Oliver Banister was born in Fayette county, Indiana, January 26, 1851, a son of John and Mary (Treadway) Banister. Both parents still reside in old age in Liberty township, having moved from Fayette county to Grant county, in February, 1868. In their family were five children, three of whom are living at the present time. The son George is following the trade of painter at Fairmount, while Amos is a farmer in Liberty township.

Oliver Banister was seventeen years old when the family moved to Grant county. Most of his early education was acquired in the schools of Fayette county, and he also attended school after coming to Grant county. During his early years he took up the trade of painter, and followed that as a workman and also did a good business as a contractor for some years. A number of years ago he established a stock of general merchandise at the village of Hackleman, and now enjoys a large trade in that section of Grant county, and enjoys the confidence of his many patrons in this vicinity.

Mr. Banister was first married to Sarah A. Buller, who was born in Liberty township, was educated in the local schools, and was a devoted wife and mother. There was three children by the marriage: Walter, who married Eva Wilson, and lives in Liberty township; Myrtle, the wife of Otto Newhouse; and Maude, wife of J. W. Dill. The mother of this family died in 1879. In 1883, Mr. Banister married Mary A. Felton. They have no children. Fraternally Mr. Banister is affiliated with Hackleman Lodge No. 551, I. O. O. F., with the Encampment at Point Isabel, and both he and his wife are active in the Rebekahs. Mr. Banister is a past grand of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics a Republican, he has been active in local politics for a number of years, was chosen on the Republican ticket to his present office.

"BLACKFORD AND GRANT COUNTIES INDIANA, A CHRONICLE OF THEIR PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT WITH FAMILY LINEAGE AND PERSONAL MEMOIRS"; Complied Under the Editorial Supervision of BENJAMIN G. SHINN; vol. II ; THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY; CHICAGO AND NEW YORK; 1914
Submitted by:Peggy Karol and Karen Overholt


Deb Murray