Joseph Newell

NEWELL, TANSLEY, BOUSFIELD

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 5/13/2009 at 15:23:22

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

page 782

JOSEPH NEWELL, deceased, was a man
whom Lincoln Township could not well
afford to lose. He was a native of the
Emerald Isle, born near the city of Belfast,
in 1836. When a mere lad his parents, Will-
iam and Agnes Newell, emigrated from Ire-
land to America, settling in Canada, near
Hamilton. There lie grew to manhood, re-
ceiving his education in the common schools,
and being trained to the duties of a farmer.
In 1872 he was married to Miss Isabella E.
Tansley, a resident of his neighborhood.
Soon after this union they removed to the
United States and settled on a farm in Ben-
ton County, near Blairstown, Iowa. Mr.
Newell opened up a tract of 160 acres of
wild land,erected necessary buildings, planted
a grove, and put the farm in good shape. He
made this his home until 1881, when he re-
moved to Audubon County, having sold out
his possessions in Benton County. His first
purchase in Audubon County was 320 acres,
and later he bought 120 acres, which he
afterward sold. It was new land, without
improvements, but at the time of Mr. Newell's
death, which occurred October 12, 1887, the
farm had been developed into one of the
most desirable in the community. He was a
good judge of live-stock, and took an active
interest in the improvement of the breeds.
Mr. Newell left a wife and five children to
mourn his death. The children are -- Samuel
J., Josephine, Charles S., Thomas and Henry.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Newell
has superintended the farm, and has been
very successful in her management of the
estate. Mrs. Newell was born in Canada,
and is the oldest daughter of Samuel and
Annie (Bousfield) Tansley, natives of Eng-
land. She was educated in her native country,
and is a most thorough-going woman. For
many years she has been an active member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.