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         JOSEPH T. COWLES, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 35, Marshall Township, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 5, 1826. His parents were Rev. Salmon and Polly (Miner) Cowles, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of New York, and to them were born ten children, eight sons and two daughters, four of that number yet living: Salmon, Jr., who is a resident of Primrose, Lee Co., Iowa; Lucinda, wife of James Stewart, a resident of Minden, Neb., and Henry, who is living in Morning Sun Township. The family came to Iowa in 1840, locating in West Point, Lee County, where the father had received a call. He was a Presbyterian minister, and a member of the second class which was graduated from the Jefferson College, of Cannonsburg, Pa. He was one of the pioneer ministers of that denomination in Iowa, where he lived a useful and consistent Christian life. After preaching for a year and a half at West Point, he entered upon missionary work in the Territory of Iowa, preaching in Des Moines, which was then but a village. He organized churches all over the inhabited parts of the Territory, and finally located in this county, having received a call to the Unity Congregation Church. It was later divided, one part being called Morning Sun and the other Oakland. He later again became pastor of the church at West Point, where he carried on his labors until age and ill-health would no longer permit him to perform the arduous duties of a pioneer preacher. His death occurred in March, 1869, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife survived him until 1875, when she too was called to her long rest.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in Lee County, Iowa, where he received his education in the common schools, and also attended the college at West Point one term. His father’s duties often calling him away from home, Joseph took charge of the home farm. On the 2d of October, 1851, he became the husband of Miss Elizabeth Chapman, of Westmoreland County, Pa., their union being celebrated in Lee County. He continued the management of his father’s farm until the spring of 1854, when he purchased sixty acres of land on section 35, Marshall Township, which comprises a part of his present farm. He has since added to his original possessions until he now owns 125 acres of finely improved land.

Mr. and Mrs. Cowles were the parents of four children: Laura, now Mrs. Dodson, resides in Unadilla County, Ore.; Albert E. is also a resident of that State; Jennie E. is the wife of W. J. Grim, a farmer of Marshall Township; and one child died in infancy. In the month of January, 1883, the death of Mrs. Cowles occurred. She was a consistent Christian, a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, and her death was a deep loss to the community. In February, 1887, Mr. Cowles was united in marriage with Mrs. Deliah A. Hupp, widow of John C. Hupp. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been connected since 1851. He has always taken great . . .

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. . . interest in the work of that denomination, has ever been a liberal contributor to its support, has steadily labored in the advancement of the cause and in the work of the Sunday-school, and for several years past has held the office of Elder in the church. Mr. Cowles has also served in various official positions in the township, and in his political views adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer of Marshall Township, and one of Louisa County’s best citizens.