Hanford R. Miles
The material development of Upland and vicinity owes much to the ability of Hanford R. Miles, prominent as a general contractor and builder. For twenty years he has been a resident at Upland, and has to his credit a remarkably long list of worthy achievements in houses and public buildings, and other successful contracts. In later years a very important feature of his business has been street paving and concrete construction. Examples of his work may be seen in the Pennsylvania Railroad freight house at Hartford City, and the passenger stations at Converse and Ridgeville. For three entire years Mr. Miles was employed altogether by the Pennsylvania Company. The number of public schools likewise testify to his energy. Mr. Mile sis a practical architect, and has drawn more than one hundred plans for public buildings, and different kinds of work. He was the architect and superintendent of construction of the fine high school at Matthews, and stood in the same relation to the handsome Washington Street bridge at Marion.
Hanford R. Miles was born in Blackford County, Indiana, July 2, 1869. He was educated in the public schools and in Normal College, and before his marriage got a wide and thorough experience in the different lines of the building trade, and in contracting. He lived in Blackford County until 1893, and in that year came to Upland. He had already proved successful in carrying out several important contracts, and as the business broadened and larger opportunities were presented, he determined to prepare himself for the proper handling of these larger opportunities. He studied architecture, and for a number of years has given close attention to both the professional and practical side of his business. He was chosen superintendent of construction in the erection of the Deeren Planing and Lumber Mills at Upland, and had the Superintendence of Operations for seven years. He also drew the plans and took an important part in the construction of most of the buildings along the business streets of Upland, and successfully carried out the contracts for the erection of the handsome group of University buildings on the campus of Taylor University.
Hanford R. Miles was one of a family of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and all are living except two. The Miles family was established in the northeastern states several generations ago, and General Nelson A. Miles belongs in the same family relationship. The founder of this branch was Thomas Miles, who came from England when young, with his step-mother, and a few years later took part as a soldier on the American side during the Revolutionary War. So far as known, his life was spent in the State of New Jersey. Grandfather Lorenzo Miles was born in New Jersey, later moved to Western New York, and in 1835 to Indiana, settling first in Fayette County, and in 1838 in Jefferson Township of Grant County. Lorenzo Miles died in this county, in 1850, when quite old. Hammond Miles, son of Lorenzo, was the first child born in Hammond, Steuben County, New York, and his birth occurred June 1, 1826. He was nine years of age when the family came to Indiana, about twelve when they located in Jefferson Township on a farm. He began life as a farmer, and acquired one hundred and fifty acres in Blackford County. He finally retired to Hartford City, where he died in 1910. Hammond Miles married in 1849 to Sarah Remly. Their marriage occurred in Grant County, and she she was born in Pennsylvania in 1829, and died November 25, 1901. When a child she lost her parents, and was taken into the family of Peter Gregory, who became one of the first settlers of Blackford County where she was reared and educated.
All generations of the family, so far as known, have produced loyal Democrats, and Hanford R. Miles is one of the ablest men in his party in Grant County. He has served his home community as a member of the town council, and also on the board of education . In 1892, in Blackford County, he was united in marriage to Miss Luella Johnson, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Jane (Rix) Johnson. The Johnson's were old settlers of Blackford County, were substantial farming people, and Mrs. Johnson died there when her daughter Mrs. Miles was four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Miles have two children: Leah B., who graduated from the Upland High School in the Class of 1913m and is now a student of German and Music in Taylor University; Doris, who is now a high school student; Dallas, a son, the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Miles, died aged two years.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 980-81.