James N. Templer
James N. Templer, lawyer, of Muncie, was born near Xenia, Ohio, February 8, 1836, and is the eldest son in a family of eight children of George W. and Hannah S. (Medsker) Templer. His ancestors emigrated from England in 1685, settling in Loudoun and Prince William counties, Virginia, where, and in England, representatives of the family yet remain. The original name was Temple, and the final "r” was affixed about the year 1750, by the Virginian branch. Mr. Templer acquired a fair education at Liber College, and at eighteen began the study of law, under the instruction of Judge Jacob M. Haynes, of Portland. By teaching school at intervals he was able to continue his studies, and in Ajpril, 1857, was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Portland, but soon afterward formed an equal partnership with Hon. John P. C. Shanks, then a leading lawyer. He remained in that connection for ten years, enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. In 1861 Mr. Templer was elected prosecuting attorney of the thirteenth judicial circuit, and held the office three consecutive terms of two years each, seldom failing to sustain his cases, and never having a judgment reversed by the supreme court because of errors or inefficiency on his part. His successes were usually the result of hotly contested trials; of which the opposing counsel were the ablest criminal lawyers of the state. In 1871 he removed to Muncie, and, with Ralph S. Gregory, formed the successful law firm of Templer & Gregory, which was long in the front rank of the bar. This law firm continued until November, 1880, at which time Mr. Templer removed, with his family, to Colorado, and the firm ceased to operate as such at that time. This removal was for the purpose of regaining his lost health. He resided in Colorado, actively practicing his profession in the state and federal courts of that state, until January, 1885, when he returned to Muncie again, becoming a partner of John F. Sanders, now deceased, the firm being Templer & Sanders. This firm continued until January 1, 1888, when it was dissolved on account of the failing health of Mr. Sanders. From that time Mr. Templer practiced his profession alone until the last of January, 1892, when he associated with him his son, Edward R. Templer, a young lawyer of promise, and the firm then became James N. Templer & Son. In 1868 Mr. Templer was nominated for contingent presidential elector for the eleventh district, in which he then lived, and made a canvass of the same that contributed not a little in giving the electoral vote of Indiana to Gen- eral Grant. In 1876 he was again put in nomination for presidential elector for the sixth district, of which he also made a thorough canvass, and secured thereby a majority of about two thousand in the district; but, as the result is determined by the entire vote of the state, his opponent was elected. Mr. Templer was a Democrat until 1861, when, following the example of such Democratic statesmen as Stephen A. Douglas, he took strong grounds against the asserted right of a state to secede, and in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion and the preservation of the Union. This course identified him with the Republican party, with which he was afterward connected. He has declined to be a candidate for congress, although often solicited to serve. He has long been connected with the Masonic fraternity, has heen high priest of the chapter, and now is a Knight Templar. In Odd Fellowship he is a member of the encampment. His name is also enrolled on the records of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, and the Murphy Temperance Club. Mr. Templer married, October 4, 1857, Ann, eldest daughter of John J. and Mary A. Adair, and they had five children. Mrs. Templer died in the spring of 1874, of consumption. Mr. Templer was again married July 9, 1876, his second wife being Mrs. Susan Kilgore, widow of the late Hon. Alfred Kilgore.
Biographical Record of Bartholomew County Indiana
B. F. Bowen, 1904.