Pg 378

         JOSEPH B. SYPHRIT, one of the prominent farmers of Louisa County, residing on section 36, Wapello Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 5, 1831, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bott) Syphrit, both of whom were also natives of the same county. They were the parents of four children: Joseph B., of this sketch, is the eldest of the family; Catherine E. is the wife of Joseph Smith, of Louisa County; Christopher J., a soldier of the late war, enlisted in Company I, 11th Iowa Infantry, and died in Louisa County, July 25, 1863, from disease contracted during the battle of Shiloh; Jacob B., the youngest, also resides in this county. In 1852 Jacob Syphrit, Sr., came to Louisa County, and died near Toolsboro, in the fall of 1858. His wife survived him . . .

Pg 379

. . . several years, dying in 1864. In politics Mr. Syphrit was always a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, was a man of strict integrity, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. As a neighbor, he was accommodating, as a husband and father, kind and indulgent, as a Christian, earnest and faithful.

Our subject received a liberal academic education, and in early life turned his attention to the profession of school teaching. He received an appointment as Professor of Mathematics in the Eastern Iowa Normal, of Louisa County, and remained with the institution for nearly two years. On the 8th of April, 1855, in Grand View, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet F. McNatton, a daughter of Joseph McNatton, and a native of Ohio, born in Pike County, Sept. 15, 1835. Their union has been blessed with a family of eight children: Joseph R., who was graduated from the Eastern Iowa Normal, in 1885, is now engaged in teaching; Emma W.; Rhoda, who died when two years of age; Nevada E., William O. and Mary E. (twins), Alfred M. and Henry E.

In early life Mr. Syphrit affiliated with the Democratic party, but is now a supporter of the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and are ranked among Louisa County’s respected and honored citizens. In 1886 Mr. Syphrit purchased his farm on section 36, Wapello Township, and is at present engaged in its cultivation. He is also a member of the North American Beekeepers’ Union.