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         JOSEPH W. BOZMAN, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 8, Wapello Township, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 18, 1827, and is a son of Benjamin and Priscilla (Brady) Bozman, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Maryland. They were the parents of twelve children, four of whom are yet living: Lewis, a farmer of this county; James B., who is engaged in farming in Nebraska; Eliza, widow of Benjamin Norris, now living in Lexington, Perry Co., Ohio; and Joseph. Benjamin Bozman was a weaver by trade, following that occupation until his marriage, after which he engaged in farming. His death occurred about the year 1861, his wife dying the year following. Both were members of the Baptist Church.

Our subject received his education in the common schools of his native county, and since early life has followed the occupation of farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. Orrison, their union being celebrated Nov. 10, 1853. The lady was born June 10, 1833, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Payton and Ruth (Tipton) Orrison, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Maryland. Mr. Orrison died when Mrs. Bozman was but a small child, and the death of her mother occurred in 1852. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with a family of ten children, six of whom were born to them in Perry County, Ohio, namely: Albert H., a graduate of Howe’s Academy of Mt. Pleasant, now a teacher of recognized ability in Louisa County; Minerva, who is also a graduate of Howe’s Academy, and was a teacher in the county, is now the wife of Isaiah Down, a farmer of Wapello Township; Isadore M. is the wife of E. M. Sprinkle, who is engaged in farming in Jefferson Township; Almeda M. died when twenty-three years of age; Ulysses G. and George S., at home. The remaining children, John F., Norris, William and Lulu M., were born in Louisa County, Iowa.

In his native county Mr. Bozeman was the owner of 170 acres of land, 100 of which were under cultivation, but not being satisfied with the locality, and having a chance to sell, he disposed of his property, and came directly to Louisa County, where he purchased 200 acres of land on sections 7 and 8 in Wapello Township. This tract was in a comparatively raw condition, only about thirty acres being under cultivation but he immediately began its improvement and has made a fine farm. He has since added forty acres to his original purchase, and everything about the place denotes him to be a man of enterprise and progress. Financially, he is a self-made man. Beginning life with no capital but a strong arm and a determination to make his way in the world, with that energy which characterizes his every action he has made his life a success. For his first labor he received but twenty-five cents per day, and afterward secured employment at rail cutting, receiving twenty-five cents for every 100 rails cut. Being a man of strength and muscular power, he was able to prepare 250 rails per day. Thus, little by little, he earned the money which enabled him to purchase a farm, and now has a comfortable competency laid up for old age. He has given his children good educations, giving them the advantages of the higher branches in academies or colleges as they have attained sufficient age. For many years Mr. Bozman has been a member of . . .

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. . . the Christian Church, while his wife belongs to the Church of God. He has held various township offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, and in his political sentiments is a Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, but after the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, and has since been a strong advocate of its principles. He has always been prominent in the promotion of the moral and social interests of the community, and is an honored and respected citizen of Louisa County.