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         JOSEPH ENGLAND is a practical farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 7, Marshall Township. To him the honored name of pioneer is given, for he came to Louisa County, Iowa, in 1840, and here almost his entire life has been spent. He was born on the 25th of May, 1835, in Mackinac County, Mich., and is a son of Thomas and Werlinda (Harrison) England, both of whom were natives of Maryland, and to them were born three children: George, a resident farmer of Jefferson County, Iowa; Samuel, a farmer of Ringgold County, Iowa; and our subject, Joseph. The father followed the occupation of farming through life, and remained in Michigan until 1835, when he removed to Illinois, settling northeast of Knoxville, then the county seat of Knox County. He only remained there until autumn, when he removed to Louisa County, and entered 400 acres of land near the city of Wapello. He resided on that farm until his death, which occurred in 1844. His wife died when our subject was about three months old. He was a man of good business ability, shrewd though honest, and stood high in the estimation of his friends and neighbors.

After the death of his father Joseph went to live with Judge Springer, of Columbus Junction, and under the teachings of the Judge began his education. He later attended the public schools of Wapello, and being of a studious nature soon acquired a good common-school education. He made his home with Judge Springer until about 1848, when on account of failing health he was compelled to discontinue his studies, and went to live with Joshua Marshall, one of Louisa County’s noble and highly honored pioneers. He there began the life of a farmer, which pursuit he has since followed, and made his home with Mr. Marshall until 1857, receiving for his work his board and clothing, and the last eight months $20 per month. In 1857 Mr. England bought eighty acres of land on section 7, Marshall Township, sixty of which had been broken, but there was no cabin upon it. He made a partial payment of $22.50, and had it all paid for in 1862. In the meantime he had built a small frame house, 16x18 feet, and each year added improvements until he now has one of the best farms in Louisa County.

On the 28th of February, 1866, Mr. England and Miss Melinda Skinner were united in marriage. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is a daughter of James M. and Sarah (Hull) Skinner, both of whom were natives of Guernsey County, that State. By this union six children have been born, four of whom are now living: Nancy J., wife of J. F. Ross, a farmer of Henry County, Iowa; Mary E., Samuel A. and Ida May. Sarah W. and Joseph are deceased.

Mr. England has ever been a steady, energetic and enterprising citizen. He commenced life without financial aid, but by his own efforts is now one of the well-to-do farmers of the county. From time to time he has added to his original purchase of eighty acres, until he now has in his home farm 160 acres, and altogether, in Louisa and Henry Counties, is the owner of 401 ˝ acres, 370 of which are under a fine state of cultivation. The little frame cabin has long since given place to a fine two-story residence, 26x34 feet, and all the improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm have been made. . . .

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. . . The best grades of horses, cattle and hogs are thereon found, and where once was one vast and unbroken prairie, the evergreen and other shade trees have been planted. During his thirty years, residence on the land Mr. England has transformed it into one of the best farms of the county, and everything about the place shows him to be a man of thrift, enterprise and progressive ideas. He has always taken an active part in forwarding any enterprise beneficial to the public, and has given freely of his time and means to the advancement of the interest of the community. For half a century he has been a resident of Louisa County, during which time he has gained the love, confidence and respect of the people. Many times he has been called upon to settle difficulties arising in the neighborhood, and he has held various township offices of trust with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Politically, he is a Democrat, but is broad in his views, always willing to accord to others their right to their own opinions. Mr. England has not only witnessed, but has been a participant, in the many changes which laid the foundation for the present prosperity of Louisa County, and placed it in its high rank in the State of Iowa.