Joseph Saunders

SAUNDERS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 09:39:53

With the death of Joseph Saunders on October 16 1907, there passed form Boone county history a veteran pioneer who for almost fifty-four years had been a resident of that county and who made valuable contribution to its growth and advancement. At the time of his demise he resided in Worth township, where he was widely and favorably known and highly esteemed by young and old. He was a veteran of the Mexican war and is therefore entitled to great honor, for he was one of those who took up the cause of the flag in those critical day and who helped to secure to the United States a vast territory where now reside millions of its contented citizens.
Mr Sauders was born in Tennessee, July 1, 1827, and after the death of his father accompanied his mother to Putnam county, Indiana, being then but five years of age. There he grew to young manhood. He was reared mostly in the home of his grandmother Mrs Summers, who resided in Putnam county, but later made his hoe for several years with Mr Simpson, with whom he remained until the time of his enlistment. He spent one year in rafting logs down the Mississippi river and then enlisted at the age of nineteen, serving with honor and distinction in the Mexican war. Returning to Indiana he attended school for a year and in 1850 crossed the plains to California, where he was engaged for four years in mining.
In 1854, MR Saunders was untied in marriage to Miss Susan McIntosh, an aunt to James Whitcomb McIntosh, in connection with whom extended mention is made of the McIntosh family on other pages of this work. Mrs Saunders, who now makes her home in Boone with a daughter, Mrs Irving M L’Hommedieu, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, September 17, 1833, and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Boone) McIntosh. She visited a brother and other relatives in Boone county in 1853 and upon her return to Indiana married Mr Saunders. Her ancestors both in the paternal and maternal lines were Revolutionary patriots, and their descendents are all eligible to membership in the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mr and Mrs Saunders came to Boone in 1854, settling on a farm in Worth township which for more than fifty-three years remained their home. Settlers in those days were few and far between and they were among the sturdy pioneers who braved the dangers of ht wild and underwent the hardships of frontier life. Mr Saunders closely applied himself to breaking his land and bringing it under cultivation and as the years passed his labors were crowned with success. Buildings spring upon his farm, and it became me one of the most valuable in the neighborhood. Upon it he erected comfortable home which was renowned throughout the vicinity for its hospitality. Mr Saunders was a man of unswerving integrity and fidelity to duty, which characteristics he displayed as a soldier, as a citizen, as a husband and as a father. He was always a kind and considerate friend and neighbor. He led a strenuous life which brought him prosperity and which was useful in the advancement of his section.
Mr and Mrs Saunders became the parents of ten children: George D of Rockford, Washington, W A of Los Angeles, California, Grant of Douglas township Boone county, Ivan of Luther, Lucy A the wife of Alvin Graves of Des Moines, Bessie Viola, who married French Luther, Permelia, the wife of W H Crooks, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, Melinda L the wife of Irving M L’Hommedieu of Boone, Emmett, who died in infancy, and Commodore Perry who passed away at the age of eighteen.
Mr Saunders died October 16, 1907, after having passed his eightieth birthday. A large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends attended the funeral, and many beautiful floral tributes were laid upon his casket. The services were conducted by Rev. Longbrake, of the Universalist church of which Mr Saunders was a member and to which his widow still belongs. The memory of Mr Saunders still lives with all who knew him and who respected him for what he achieved in life ad the qualities of his character which made possible his success.

1914 Boone County History Book