By Jefferson D. Lilly II, JVCinC
Joseph Blair Daughtery was a respected Indianapolis attorney, civic leader, and military officer whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to public service, the law, and historical preservation. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 2, 1903, the son of Major William Wirt Daugherty (1840-1922) and his wife, the former Mathilda Anderson (1869-1954), Daughtery grew up in a prominent family in the city that would remain the center of his professional and civic life.
His father spent his entire Civil War military enlistment in the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as a Private in Company G on April 19, 1861, and was promoted to Sergeant Major on June 1, 1862. He was then discharged from enlisted service and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in Company H of the same on October 14, 1862. On March 1, 1863, he was promoted again to First Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant. William fought in the Battles of First Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, and Antietam in 1862. He then saw later action at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and both the Chattanooga and Atlanta Campaigns. He mustered-out in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 4, 1864, at the expiry of his three-year term of service. After the Civil War, he continued his military service in the Regular Army, securing promotions to Captain and finally Major. He retired on February 1, 1893, and was the only officer in his Civil War regiment to remain in the Regular Army as a career officer. Major Daugherty was elected a Companion of the First Class through the Commandery of Indiana and was assigned Insignia #07816.
Joseph graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in 1921. He graduated in the Class of 1925 with his Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, receiving his assignment to join the 21st Infantry. He then enrolled at Indiana University, where he received his law degree. Following admission to the Indiana bar in 1928, he established himself in private legal practice in Indianapolis, building a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and careful legal scholarship.
Daughtery’s legal career was complemented by a long career of distinguished military service. He served originally as an officer in the United States Army, receiving a promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant on May 1, 1931, and was transferred to the Quartermasters Corps on December 17, 1937, and was promoted to Captain. His World War II service included assignments in China as an infantry officer, and control of all German and Italian prisoners of war. He received temporary promotions to Major on January 31, 1941, and Colonel on July 13, 1944. After the war, he was then detailed to and graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1947 before receiving his final promotion to Colonel and placed on the retired list on November 1, 1949. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff School. He then served as an advisor to Chiang Kai-shek in Taiwan in the early-1950s. He completed his military career in the United States Army Reserves until 1955, with his final duty station being the Deputy Commander of Camp Atterbury, south of Indianapolis. After his military retirement, he was employed by the Indiana State Highway Commission.
Beyond his professional and military involvement, he was an active clubman, maintaining memberships in the Indianapolis Athletic Club, the Contemporary Club, Retired Officers Association, and the West Point Alumni Association.
Joseph Blair Daugherty was assigned Insignia #19285 and was a decades-long member of the Indiana Commandery of the Loyal Legion, serving in various offices including Recorder and Commander. He was elected Commander-in-Chief in October 1975 and serving until October 1977, being succeeded by Thomas Nesbitt McCarter III. His brother, William Foster Daugherty, (Insignia #17540) and son, Oliver Blair Daugherty, (Insignia #20563), were also Indiana Commandery Hereditary Companions. To date, Colonel Daugherty is the only Commander-in-Chief from the Indiana Commandery, although several Past Commanders-in-Chief were either born or spent significant time in the Hoosier State.
Joseph married the former Martha Dandridge Oliver on April 28, 1928, in Indianapolis, and they had two children, Julia (Daugherty) Inman (1929-1987) and the aforementioned Oliver Blair (1937-2009). Colonel Daugherty died at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis on September 8, 1981, and his wife followed him in death in 1994. They are both buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.