Joseph Eli Brittain

BRITTAIN, COX, HUNT, JENNINGS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/12/2004 at 22:44:57

Joseph E. Brittain, a farmer of Madison township, was born in Jefferson township, this county, on the 30th of January, 1885, a son of P. C. and Sarah (Cox) Brittain, natives of Missouri and Indiana respectively. The father was a successful agriculturist and removed to Madison county before the Civil war here following his chosen occupation. In 1861 he placed the great need of the country above all private considerations and enlisted in Company A Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry, serving with his command until the close of the war. His record was one in all respects highly creditable to him and he participated in many hard fought battles. At the close of hostilities he returned to Madison county and bought land in Jefferson township, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time until 1902. He then sold that place and purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land on sections 10 and 11, Madison township a well improved property, which he operated until his demise. He passed away on the 4th of November, 1909, and is survived by his widow, who is still living upon the home place.

Joseph E. Brittain was reared and educated in this county and has always remained under the parental roof. He and his father farmed in partnership until the latter's demise and since then our subject has assumed complete charge of the home farm. He also operates ninety-seven acres adjoining, which he owns individually. His effective methods and good business management insure his continued success as a farmer, and he is justly considered one of the most progressive and able agriculturists of the county.

Mr. Brittain married Miss Alcy Jennings, the wedding being solemnized on the 4th of July, 1909. Her parents, Taylor and Elizabeth (Hunt) Jennings, were both born in Ohio but removed to Dallas county, Iowa, at an early day in the history of that part of the state. The father purchased land there, which he has cultivated for forty years. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Brittain have a son, Clyde J., four years of age.

Mr. Brittain is a republican and is at present treasurer of the school fund, his fellow citizens having elected him to that position of trust. As a member of the Masonic order and as a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church his life conforms to high ethical standards and he is always ready to extend a helping hand to his fellowmen in need. He has won deserved success as an agriculturist and has found general farming and stock-raising more profitable than confining his efforts to one phase of agriculture. He raises thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs and has done not a little in improving the grade of hogs raised in his township. His prosperity is the result of the exercise of qualities that may be cultivated by all, such as close application to the work at hand, systematic management and unswerving integrity in all business dealings.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”