KING, Joseph W.

KING, COCHONOUR, ELLSWORTH, STEELE, BLAIR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 17:51:51

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 315-16. Chicago. 1915.

JOSEPH W. KING

Joseph W. King is successfully engaged in farming in Long Creek township and is well known and highly esteemed throughout Decatur county. A native of Black Hawk county, he was born on the 29th of September, 1860, a son of William and Delilah (Cochonour) King, both natives of Ohio. About 1856 the father, who was by occupation a wagon maker and carpenter, removed to Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he followed those trades for five years. Later he purchased land in Buchanan county, Iowa, to which he gave his time and energy for about forty years, making his place one of the well improved properties of his neighborhood. In 1901 he went to Kansas, where he bought land, the operation of which demanded his attention until his demise. He passed away in July, 1914, when seventy-eight years of age. His wife is now sevent-four years old and is still living in Jackson county, Kansas.

Joseph W. King was reared in Buchanan county, this state, and there attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education. When he became of age he rented land, which he operated until the spring of 1899. In that year he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and for two years farmed leased land. In the spring of 1901, however, he came to Decatur county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres on section 13, Long Creek township. Since that time he has concentrated his energies upon the operation and development of his farm, which is in a high state of cultivation. He combines general farming and stock-raising and is an alert and energetic agriculturist.

In October, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Hattie Steele, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Ellsworth) Steele, natives respectively of New York and Vermont. For some time the father followed agricultural pursuits in Illinois but in 1870 he located in Buchanan county, Iowa, and there his demise occurred in 1878. The mother is still living and makes her home at Troy Mills, Linn county. To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born two children: Ethel G., the wife of A. E. Blair, of Osceola; and Walter H., who is attending Simpson College at Indianola.

Mr. King is stalwart in his allegiance to the republican party and is equally loyal as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active part. In doing well the task that lies closest at hand he has not only promoted his material success but has also contributed to the agricultural development of his county and he likewise finds time to cooperate in various movements that seek directly the general welfare.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014