At the outset of the undertaking which is herewith presented in published form, this publication was planned as a collection of articles and sketches on families and individuals identified, in the past or present, with Blackford and Grant counties. In line with this pur pose, the editorial stafi has collected much interesting and valuable material pertaining to such families and individuals and the follow ing pages contain biographical data that in this form will be preserved for all future generations and safeguard the essential facts against all time and fading memory. All personal sketches have been submitted in typewritten form for revision and correction, and the utmost (lili gence has been employed to prevent mistakes. It can be only a matter of satisfaction that the original plans have been so thoroughly carried out.