JOSEPH ELBRIDGE BOLTZ.

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         A well tilled farm of Morning Sun township is that comprised in the one hundred acre tract of Joseph Elbridge Boltz, which is located on section 33. Mr. Boltz was born in Louisa county on the 11th of January, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Edwards) Boltz, who came to Iowa in the early years of their marriage, locating on a farm on which they continued to reside until 1891, when they retired to Morning Sun. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph E.; William S., who is living in Green Ridge, Missouri; Eleanor, who is deceased; Nancy Emma, the wife of William Reynolds, of Upland, California; Mary Eva, who married Charles Morrison, of Morning Sun; and Oscar, who is living in Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Boltz, who served for three years in the Union army, gives his political support to the candidates of the republican party, while both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church.

         The early years of Joseph Elbridge Boltz were spent on the farm, in the work of which he assisted while pursuing his studies in the district school. He remained at home with his parents until he had attained his majority following which he rented one hundred acres of land, which he continues to cultivate. . . .

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. . . He met with a fair degree of success and in 1902 by reason of his industry and careful expenditures was able to purchase the farm in the operation of which he had so long been engaged. Since purchasing the property Mr. Boltz has made many improvements and all of his fields are now well drained and under a high state of cultivation.

         On the 17th of October, 1894, occurred the marriage of Mr. Boltz and Miss Sadie Miller, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Erisman) Miller, who were the parents of six children, as follows: Jacob, who is a resident of Kansas; George, who is deceased; Flora, the wife of George Swearingen, of Sac City, Iowa; Frank, who is living in Winfield, Iowa; Charles, a resident of Santa Ana, California; and Sadie. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boltz have been born two children: Bertha and Valeda America.

         Fraternally Mr. Boltz is a member of the Knights of Pythias and his political allegiance is given the republican party. He always takes an active interest in local affairs and has filled some of the township offices. At the present time he is serving as trustee, the duties and responsibilities of which position he is ably and conscientiously discharging.