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         JOEL CHENOWETH, a pioneer and prominent farmer residing on section 15, in Grand View Township, was born in Pike County, Ohio, in October, 1843, and is the third in a family of six children born to Joel and Harriet (McMatten) Chenoweth, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in October, 1851, the family removed to Logan County, Ill., where they remained only for about a year. They celebrated the 4th of July, 1852, by their arrival in Louisa County, where Mr. C. purchased 320 acres of land on section 15, Grand View Township, part of which was timber and part prairie land, for which he paid $7 per acre. He took an active interest in the political affairs of the community, was a supporter of the Republican party, held a number of school offices, and was Township Trustee for several years. His death occurred in February, 1877, in his sixty-sixth year, his wife having been called to her final rest several years previously, dying in 1852, at the age of forty years.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received the greater part of his education in the district schools of Louisa County, though subsequently attending the seminary at Grand View one year. On the 11th of September, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company K, 8th Iowa Infantry, at Grand View, where he was mustered into service, the regiment being immediately ordered to the front, where they participated in several skirmishes in Missouri and then took part in the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Chenoweth was there taken prisoner, and was confined at Tuscola, Ala., for two months under Wirz, the noted Andersonville keeper. At the time of his imprisonment his weight was 170 pounds, but owing to the sufferings which resulted from inhuman treatment and the neglect and rigor which is always a part of war, he only weighed ninety-five pounds when paroled. He was afterward exchanged, and on the 23d of August, 1862, was discharged, and returned to his home in Louisa County to recuperate. After somewhat regaining his usual health, he re-enlisted at Grand View, Oct. 1, 1863, for three years or during the remainder of the war, becoming a member of Company A, 9th Iowa Cavalry. Being mustered in at Davenport, he next marched to the front, participated in several skirmishes, engaged in the battle of Peach Orchard, and then was sent on a raid against the bushwhackers, after which he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 28, 1866.

Leaving the battle-fields of the South, Mr. Chenoweth once more sought his home in Louisa County, where his union with Miss Susan Wagner was celebrated in 1868. The lady is a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Solomon and Susanna (Stroh) Wagner, who were also born in that State, and emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, in 1848, settling in Grand View Township, where Mr. Wagner purchased 120 acres of partly improved land on section 6, on a portion of which the village of Letts now stands. This was before the time of railroads in Louisa County, when the people lived in pioneer style. The death of Mr. Wagner occurred in 1866, at the age of fifty-seven years, and his excellent wife still survives him.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth took up their residence on the farm which still continues to be their home. He is the owner of . . .

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. . . 127 acres of fine, arable land, in a good state of cultivation and highly improved. In his political sentiments he is a Republican, and is actively interested in political affairs. For the past ten or twelve years he has served as an efficient member of the School Board, and socially, belongs to J. Dodder Post No. 446, at Grand View, in which he holds the office of Quartermaster. Mr. and Mrs. Chenoweth are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Grand View, in which he is one of the Stewards, and also Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has a large membership. To this worthy couple have been born six children, five of whom are living: Lillie May, Charles William, Isadora Gertrude, Ada Rachel and Clyde Elsworth. Arthur Dwight died on the 16th of March, 1878, at the age of sixteen months, the rest of the children being all at home, attending school. The home of our subject is pleasantly situated about five miles from Letts and one mile from Grand View. He and his estimable wife have witnessed almost the entire growth of Louisa County, have aided in its public enterprises, and are ranked among its best citizens.