Axtell, Joseph M. (1838-1919)

AXTELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/14/2019 at 23:50:23

Joseph M. Axtell
July 4, 1838 - Apr 18, 1919

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.364]
J.M. AXTELL, a farmer of Boomer Township, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1838. (For parentage and ancestry, see sketch of L.S. Axtell). Being the youngest child, he remained at home until his father died. In 1857 he married Miss Sarah Franklin, daughter of Leander and Sarah (Barker) Franklin, natives of New York state who, after her birth, moved to Pennsylvania. Mr. J. M. Axtell, after his marriage, moved to Sparland, Marshall County, Illinois, where he took charge of a farm for Lewis Burson two years, and there his wife died, February 19, 1866, leaving five children, namely: Samuel Albert, who resides now in Harrison County, Iowa; Leona, wife of G.W. Howland, residing in Harrison County, also; Charles and Oscar died in infancy. June 6, 1867, Mr. Axtell married Miss Mary, daughter of Daniel and Maria (Erwin) Graham, natives of Pennsylvania who afterward moved to Illinois and finally to Missouri where they both now live.

The Grahams were the parents of twelve children, viz.: Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Elliott, and residing in Illinois; Mary, the second in order of birth; Luther and Henrietta, deceased; Findlay, at home; Ann, wife of Dr. Sherman, residing at Coffeeville, Kansas; Jesse, living in Harrison County; Ervin in Shell City, Missouri; Laura and Emma, twins, the former at home and the latter in Colorado; Albert and Alice, twins, the latter the wife of Richard Newton and both residing in Colorado. Mrs. Axtell, born October 9, 1845, brought up as a farmer's daughter, and was married at the age of 22 years. After his second marriage, Mr. Axtell came to Pottawattamie County and purchased 60 acres of unimproved prairie and began to make the necessary improvements thereon, and also, in connection with his farm work, continued at his trade as carpenter, which he had learned in younger days. At the end of five years he sold out, bought 40 acres elsewhere, built a house and made valuable improvements upon the tract, and remained there ten years, dealing also extensively in livestock. Selling this place, he finally bought his present farm of 80 acres of wild land, on section 10, and this now is the third home he has made. Sixty acres is under cultivation, while the remainder is in meadow and pasture. He has a comfortable residence and surroundings, with shade trees, orchard, etc. While his sons manage the farm, he is engaged by the Pottawattamie County Mutual Insurance Company, for whom he began to operate about three years ago.

He is an active and influential Republican. Has held the various offices of his township, especially in school matters, and is now Justice of the Peace. He is also a member of the Mutual Protection Association of Hazel Dell, and of the I.O.O.F. In Pennsylvania and Illinois, he and his wife were members respectively of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches. They are the parents of ten children, namely: Milton, born September 8, 1868, resides in Harrison County; John, October 7, 1870; Lutellis, September 20, 1872; Gertrude, October 20, 1874; James, August 25, 1876; Daniel, November 22, 1878; Mary Alma and Maria, twins, born March 28, 1881 (Maria died a month afterward); George, born September 9, 1883; and Blanch, born January 20, 1886, died March 20, 1886. All those who are living, except the first mentioned, are still at their parental home.