 Blackford County ’ s World War I memorial was unveiled on the northeast corner of the courthouse square on September 28 , 1921 , in a dedication ceremony with James Taylor , president of Taylor University as the speaker . The memorial is a reproduction of a sculpture known as the " Spirit of the American Doughboy " , which was created by Ernest Moore Viquesney . Beneath the Doughboy sculpture is a list of Blackford County residents that served in World War I. The monument was partially funded by a contribution from the ladies of the Service Star Legion . 
