JOSEPH H. FISHER
Joseph H. Fisher, who has made his home within the borders of Cedar county for more than a half century, has followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Maryland, on the 13th of December, 1837, his parents being Joseph F. and Catherine Fisher, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania. The father was born in the year 1817, while the mother’s natal day was January 18, 1818. Their marriage was celebrated in Adams county of the Keystone state. In 1857 Joseph F. Fisher brought his family to Cedar county, Iowa, and here devoted his attention to the cultivation of rented land for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased and located upon a tract of eighty acres, continuing to reside thereon until called to his final rest on the 19th of April, 1884. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, which branch of his business added materially to his income. His wife passed away in this county on the 3d of January, 1903.
Their children were thirteen in number, eight of whom are yet living, as follows: Joseph H., of this review; W. F., who is a resident of Kansas; George, living in Oregon; James, who makes his home in Cedar county; Ellen, the wife of Henry Billmyer, of Kansas; Sarah, who gave her hand in marriage to Jeremiah Fleagle and likewise resides in the Sunflower state; Abbie, the wife of Charles Peters, of Cedar county; and John, who lives in Kansas. The deceased members of the family are as follows: Two who passed away in Pennsylvania while still in infancy, and David D., Mary and Daniel, who died in Iowa.
Joseph H. Fisher, who obtained his education in the district schools of his native county, was twenty years of age when the family home was established in Cedar county. Here he assisted his father in the work of the fields until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army in August, 1862, joining Company K, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Lowden. With that command he served for three years, being honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in the Red River expedition and took part in many hotly contested battles and skirmishes. Though never faltering in the performance of any task assigned him and often found in the thickest of the fight, he was not wounded. He had several hairbreadth escapes, however, the brim of his hat being pierced by a bullet on one occasion, while at another time his cartridge belt was cut in two by a spent ball. After returning from the war he worked at farm labor in Cedar county until he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to buy land of his own. A that time he came into possession of his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Springfield township, where he has resided continuously since. He erected a handsome modern residence, a substantial barn and good outbuildings, and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He raises both grain and stock and in both branches of his business has won success.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Fisher chose Miss Annie Montz, a daughter of Nicholas W. and Sarah Ann (Holiday) Montz, pioneer settlers of this county. Their union was blessed with four children, namely: Charles and Arthur, who are now deceased; and Clyde F. and Clarence, twins, who were born June 26, 1886, and now assist their father in the operation of the home farm.
Mr. Fisher is a stanch republican in politics but has never sought nor desired office, finding that his private interests demanded his entire time and attention. He and his family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lowden. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has passed the Psalmist’s allotted span of three score years and ten but still takes an active part in the world’s work and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime.
