DOMINQUE V JOANNIN, b 25 Mar 1805

JOANNIN, CARVER, SUTTON, FOREST, CREGER, VAN LOON

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/12/2004 at 07:32:06

This gentleman is recognized as one of the oldest citizens of this county, and although a veteran of eighty-four years, maintains his mental and physical strength to a remarkable degree. Nature endowed him with more than ordinary capacities, with a powerful frame, a very bright mind, and a memory quite phenomenal. He is humorous and very witty, and has been a fine business man in his day, accumulating a handsome property. His experience has been wide and varied, and he has made the most of his opportunities for observation during his travels, which have been quite extensive.

A native of fair France, Mr. Joannin was born in the village of Moorland, Province of Lorraine, March 25, 1805, and was the son of Dominique and Mary (Carver) Joannin, whose family consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters. He learned the hatter's trade in early manhood, which he followed in his native Province until a man of twenty-five years. In the meantime Europe was torn by wars and dissensions, and when a lad nine years of age young Joannin was favored with a glimpse of the first Napoleon, who passed through Lorraine, and was looked upon by thousands of others with curiosity and admiration.

On the 10th of May, 1829, having resolved to seek his fortunes in America, our subject set sail from Havre-de-Grace, and on the 13th of August following was landed in New York City. He followed his trade there six months, then repaired to Jersey City, entering one of its prominent manufactories, but subsequently migrated to Buffalo, and soon afterward to Canada. In the Dominion he pursued his trade for a period of twelve years, and there made the acquaintance of Miss Marian Carver. This lady was born six miles from Baden-Baden, April 2, 1813, and was reared and educated under the wing of the Catholic Church. When a maiden of eighteen years she came to the United States, and for one year resided in Batavia, N.Y. She then went to Canada to visit her brother Andrew, where she made the acquaintance of her future husband, becoming his wife Nov. 2, 1833. They went over to Buffalo, N.Y., to be married.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joannin remained for a time in Canada, where Mr. Joannin followed his trade and farmed alternately, being mostly, however, engaged at the latter. They finally decided to seek the far West, and coming to this county established themselves on a tract of land two and one-half miles from the then embryo town of Maquoketa, in August, 1842. Here they lived in true pioneer style, enduring the difficulties and privations of people on the frontier. Wild game was plentiful, and Mr. Joannin brought down many a fleet-footed deer on the run with his rifle. He was such an expert marksman that he once shot a hummingbird on the wing. Indians also strolled over the country, and frequently visited the cabin of the pioneer, who received them kindly and fed them, especially their Chief, who reciprocated the hospitality of the white man by inviting himself and family to his wigwam.

The Joannin family spent ten years on the farm, and then Mr. Joannin sold out, and after a visit of six weeks at his former home in the Old Dominion, returned to Iowa, established himself in the vicinity of Spragueville and purchased 280 acres of land on Deep Creek. In 1875 he took up his residence in Miles, where he has since lived retired from active labor. To him and his excellent wife there were born four children, three of whom lived to mature years. George married Miss Ellen Sutton, is the father of one child, a daughter, Florence, and resides in Minneapolis, Minn., where he carries on the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc. Caroline, now Mrs. C.G. Forest, the only daughter now living; Mary was married to Ferdinand Creger - after his death she married Nelson Van Loon, and died at the age of forty-six years, leaving six children, two by her first and four by her second husband.

Mr. Joannin arrived in Iowa in time to vote for the adoption of the State Constitution, and was then a member of the Democratic party. Later, on the breaking out of the Rebellion, he identified himself with the Republican party, and during the war was a stanch Union man. In 1876 he re-crossed the Atlantic, visiting his native France and various principal cities therein - Calais, Paris and Nancy, then going to England was at Dover, London, Liverpool and various other places of interest. Mrs. Joannin still remains the partner of her husband, and like him is quite well advanced in years. She is a very estimable lady, benevolent and charitable, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and greatly interested in the Missionary Society.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)