Worden, Joseph Watkins

WORDEN

Posted By: William Baker (email)
Date: 2/11/2002 at 00:37:35

HISTORY OF JOSEPH WATKINS WORDEN
By William Baker

Joseph was named after Joseph Wadkins, a next door neighbor to his grandfather Steven Worden, and no doubt also a friend to his father Jared. Joseph joined Whaley Baptist Church in Duchess County, New York in 1853. He moved from New York to Decatur County, Iowa on May 12, 1855. Joseph homesteaded land there in 1865 and lived there until his death in 1912. Joseph enlisted with his brother Husted in Co. B Iowa Infantry July 26, 1862. Joseph was a Civil War Veteran.

The following is from the memoirs of Joseph Watkins Worden, as preserved by his daughter, Almeda Worden Langsdorf. Written in April 23, 1901:

"I will write a few lines of my life since I left the eastern hills for the (then) far west. I left the 12th day of May, 1855. I was just past 21 years of age. This part of the west was then really a new country- - -very thinly settled. Was some government land and land was very cheap, some selling as low as one dollar per acre. The first summer I was here I saw the first wild indians- - a part of the Pottawamie Tribe- - 40 in number. They were peaceful, disturbing no one. Deer and wild turkey were plentiful. Two or three days later I was in Nebraska before the government land was surveyed- - the land where Lincoln is a large city. Land in that part of the state is now worth from one to three hundred dollars per acre. At that time there were a good many Buffalo ranging where now are good sized cities. There was not a mile of railroad in this state of Iowa when I came here- - now there are more miles than any other state except Illinois.

"The 27th day of May, 1860, I married a worthy young woman, Cinthia M. Davis. We had a farm of 200 acres to put to cultivation, fence, break the prairie sod, build a house and other improvements. She took suddenly sick and wanted to go back to her old home in Pennsylvania. Took her back. She seemed to improve for a few days, but on the fourth of July she passed away. I went back home to assist my mother in taking care of her large family.

"In the winter of 1861 and 1862 Mother, my brother Husted, and I talked over the conditions of the government. It was certain the boys were needed at the front. Mother said she hated to see us go, but we owed a duty to our country. We put in the crop the following spring and on the 26th of July 1862, Brother Husted and I enlisted in Co. B, 18th Iowa Infantry and started for the front. When I bid my mother good bye I was certain it was the last time in this world. She died 1863, July 12."

Joseph Worden later married Priscilla Delk, fathered 6 children, and lived out his remaining years on his homesteaded land in Decatur County, Iowa. He was a farmer. Another source is the book, "Down One Hundred Years", by Dale Ahern, page 266, as well as the book, "The History of Weldon, Iowa", where his house is depicted.

Joseph is buried in Row 8, Stone 5, Metier Cemetery, Garden Grove, Decatur County, Iowa.

In the 1910 Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa Census Joseph is listed with a Loyd Hensley, grandson, age 16, born in Iowa, in Joseph's household. Joseph's son Ira, age 37 single, is listed in the 1910 Census.

In the 1880 Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa Census Joseph is listed with a Fernando Delk, laborer and a S. Abbot, 24, boarder, book agent in his family's household.

OBITUARY OF JOSEPH WATKINS WORDEN:
"Joseph W. Worden, son of Jared and Maria Worden, was born in Duchess County, New York, April 10, 1834, and died November 1, 1912, aged 78 years, 6 months and 21 days. With his parents he came to Iowa in the year, 1856.

He and Priscilla L. Delk were united in marriage on November 05, 1865, and they lived happily together until death came and called Mrs. Worden to the better world on September 18, 1908, since that time Mr. Worden continued to live in his old home until death came suddenly on November 1, 1912 and called him to a better state of existence where he and his wife are reunited. Mr. Worden was the father of six children, namely: John Franklin, Harry Colfax, Emma Kate, Ida Elmira, Almeda Marie, Ira Albert. Harry Colfax died November 19, 1869. Ida Elmira died September 13, 1900. Mr. Worden united with the Baptist Church in early life at the age of 18 years, and his life since that time has been a very consistent one, being practical in his religious life and work, in his daily life showing the spirit of his master Jesus. His loyalty to his country is shown in the fact that he enlisted in Co. B, 18th regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, July 26, 1862 and was dischraged July 20, 1865, serving three years and six days.

Mr. Worden was the eldest of six brothers. Two of the six brothers have passed over the river. Mr. Worden, in his life and example, has had much to do with the advancement of this community. He was an ideal citizen, a kind neighbor, a man loyal to his country and the church, a Christian gentleman, a kind and indulgent father.

A brief funeral service was held in the home where he has lived for 45 years November 3, at 1 p.m. conducted by the Rev. George E. Mitchell. The singing was by a quartette from Weldon. the interment was at the Metiere Cemetery. The pall bearers were composed of Comrades of Worden's fellow veterans. The bereaved have the sympathy of the entire community."

Notes about the Baptist Church that Joseph joined, Whaley Baptist Church. Taken from the book, "HISTORY OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK", By James H. Smith, 1882, Chapter XLVII, Part Four, THE CHURCHES OF PAWLING: -- "In 1853, a new and comfortable church edifice was built near the south end of Whaley Pond. The First Baptist Church is still prosperous, and is performing a good mission in that part of the town. The pulpit is supplied now by Rev. William B. HARRIS, of the Luddingtonville church. The Clerk of the society is Van Ness DENTON." (Whaley Baptist Church)

After his death, Joseph's 180 acre farm in Section 15, Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa was taken over by his son Ira Worden.

Sources:
1. "The History of Weldon, Iowa", page 112-113.
2. "Down One Hundred Years", by Dale Ahern, page 266.
3. 1900 Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa Census.
4. 1910 Franklin Township, Decatur County, Iowa Census.
5. Cemetery Records of Decatur County, Iowa, at the Leon Library, Leon, Iowa.
6. 1901 Memoirs of Joseph W. Worden, related by Almeda Worden Langsdorf (1969).
7. The History of Dutchess County, New York", By James H. Smith, 1882, Chapter XLVII, part four.