Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 340
JOSEPH P.FREEMAN, a pioneer of 1840, now residing in Muscatine, was born in Butler County, Pa., on the 23d of September, 1814, and is a son of William and Lucinda ( Irwin ) Freeman. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Freeman served as a soldier in the War of 1812. They were parents of ten children, nine of whom lived to be adults : Ann married William Boland, and both died in Pennsylvania; Martha died in childhood; Jane married John Eschinbach, and both died in Pennsylvania; Rebecca departed this life when eighteen years of age; David is a resident of Muscatine County; Mary wedded William West, and after his death became the wife of a Mr. Misner; William died in Pittsburgh, in 1853; Joseph P., the subject of this sketch; John is a brickmaker of Muscatine, Iowa; Martha, who married Sidney Cole, and after his death wedded a Mr. Reader, died in Whiteside County, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs Freeman both died in Butler County, Pa., the former in 1833 , the latter in 1830.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State. His early education was received in the subscription schools and under great disadvantages, having to walk three miles, and only being permitted to attend three months in the year, as his services were needed on the farm. The first school building in which he began to tread " the flowery path of knowledge," had no floor, and an old fireplace took up one end of the building. The seats were built of puncheons with wooden pins driven in for legs, while the windows were formed by cutting out a block from one of the logs, the aperture being covered with greased paper. Another thing that always attracted the attention of Mr. Freeman was a bunch of switches hung up at the back of the teacher's desk, a warning to all evil doers. In 1831 he was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade, serving three years, during which time he received only his board and poor clothing as compensation for his labors. After completing his term of apprenticeship, he tried his fortune in the cities of Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, and finally located in Muscatine, Iowa, where he opened and operated the first cabinet-maker's shop, following that line of business for many years.

In 1842 Mr. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Lydia M. A. Parvin, who was born in Ohio, Nov. 22, 1822. Nine children were born of their union, four of whom are now living : Thomas J. died in infancy; William P. enlisted in the 11th Iowa Infantry, served in all the engagements of that regiment, was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and was accidentally killed at Eastman's Commercial College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y; Franklin, of this city, was also a soldier in the late Rebellion; Sarah M., wife of Thomas Watson, of Muscatine, Iowa; Delia, married William Scott and died in Davenport, in 1868; Charles F. is a real estate and loan agent of Muscatine, Iowa; Lydia, wedded W. S. Hill, of this city; Maggie, died at the age of nine years; and Mary Ann died in infancy. In 1885 Mr. Freeman was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a most estimable lady and highly respected by all. For almost half a century he has been identified with the history of Muscatine County, doing his upmost to advance its best interests, and aiding largely in the promotion of its enterprises. In early life he was a Democrat, but later joined the Free-Soil party.and at the organization of the Republican party was among the first to enter its ranks, and served as a delegate to the Iowa City Convention to aid in the formation of the party in this State. He has held several local offices of trust, and has served as Alderman in his ward.

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