Babb, Joseph

BABB, ROGERS, MARPLE, JACOBS, ELLISON, LUDEMAN

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 11/28/2012 at 10:53:55

Joseph Babb, who passed away in Montezuma on the 8th of January, 1910 had there lived in honorable retirement for a number of years prior to his demise, having accumulated a handsome competence as an agriculturist. His birth occurred in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on the 9th of November, 1826, his parents being Jacob and Ann (Rogers) Babb, who were natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. The father, who was an agriculturist by occupation came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, about 1870, locating on a farm in Deep River where he spent the remainder of his life. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was a Baptist in religious faith. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth.

Joseph Babb, obtained his education in the schools of Ohio and Illinois and worked with his father until he became of age. On attaining his majority he went to California, where he spent fifteen months as a gold miner. Subsequently he located on a farm in Bureau county, Illinois, but after disposing of the property removed to Henry county, that state, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Northfield, Minnesota, where he made his home for ten years before returning to Henry County, Illinois, in June, 1866. In 1869 he came to Montezuma, Iowa, purchasing and locating on a farm of four hundred acres in Jackson township, Poweshiek county, in the cultivation of which he was actively and successful engaged for twenty years. He then put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Montezuma, where he lived retired until called to his final rest on the 8th of January, 1910. At the time of the Civil ware he joined the arm in defense of the Union, enlisting in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, but at the end of the ten months he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Subsequently he became identified with the Grand Army of the Republic at Montezuma.

On the 16th of June, 1853, Mr. Babb was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Marple, a daughter of Franklin and Jane (Ayers) Marple, of Peoria, Illinois who were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. Franklin Marple removed westward to Illinois, where he was married and followed farming as a means of livelihood. His demised occurred in Minnesota in 1873, while his wife passed away in Illinois in 1844. Mr. Marple gave his political allegiance to the republican party and both he and his wife were devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were seven in number, as follows: Richard, Ezekel and Mary, all of whom are deceased; Mrs. Babb, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 29th of May, 1835; Abigail, who is the widow of Samuel Madison and resides in Norfield, Minnesota; Sara who is the widow of a Mr. Tripp and makes her home in St. Paul, Minnesota; and Caroline, who is deceased.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Babb were born eight children, namely: Milford, who is a resident of Jackson township, Poweshiek county; Mary, the wife of Samuel Jacobs of Galesburg, Illinois; Willis, who has passed away; George, living in Jackson township; Harvey, of Shannon City, Iowa; Fred, who is deceased ; Della, the wife of Alva Ellison; and Cynthia, the wife of Fred C. Ludeman of Chicago, Illinois. Joseph Babb was a stanch republican in politics, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was upright and honorable in all the relations of his life and when he passed away the community mourned the loss of one of its most substantial and esteemed citizens.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 726-727