Abel, Joseph (1842-1916)

ABEL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/14/2019 at 22:53:49

Joseph Abel
Feb 20, 1842 - May 27, 1916

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, p.622]
JOSEPH ABEL, owning and occupying 240 acres of land as a farmer on section 7, Garner township, is one of the well known, enterprising early settlers of Pottawattamie County, having located here as early as 1847. He was born in Lee County, Iowa, February 20, 1842, a son of David Abel, now a resident of Council Bluffs. His grandfather, William Abel, was a Revolutionary soldier. David was born in Canada and married Ann Ewing who was born near Perth, Scotland, and came with her parents to Canada when a girl. He moved to Illinois and to Missouri, and finally to this county. Of his two sons and one daughter, one son is a stock dealer in Council Bluffs; the daughter, Cordelia, is the wife of E.M. Hubbard, also of this city; and the other son is the subject of this sketch. Joseph was a lad of 7 years when his father moved to this county with one of the foremost bands of Mormons under Brigham Young, and with many others decided to remain in this county; and he has accordingly made this his home ever since, with the exception of several years in Missouri. Arriving at the age of manhood, he went west and engaged in freighting from the Missouri River to Denver for five years, during the fearful period of Indian troubles, and massacres on the plains, and stages were escorted by United States soldiers. He and others took 21 wagons in one train to Denver, not escorted by the military. He had many hairbreadth escapes from the savage cruelty of the Indians. For days he acted as scout, riding high divides to guard the train. Returning home, he purchased a portion of the present homestead, one mile from the city limits. The farm is well improved. The dwelling is a fine frame structure, one and a half stories high, on an elevated plat of ground, in a natural grove, and built in modern style. Every feature of the premises denotes the thrift of the proprietor. Mr. Abel is a man yet in the prime of life. He has traveled extensively, both in the east and in the west, and is well informed on western life. Frank and cordial in his manner, honest in all his dealings, he is counted as a reprsentative and succesful farmer of this community. Politically he is a Democrat and a member of the Protective Alliance. He has served three years as Trustee of Garner Township. He was married in Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 9, 1866 to Miss Frances Winchester, a daughter of Benjamin Winchester, a prominent and well known resident of this city. Mrs. Abel's mother's maiden name was Maria Stone. Mr and Mrs Abel have five children: Marvin H., Allura Ann, Allan B., Harvey J., and Ivan E., all of whom are still with their parents.