JOSEPH MESERVEY, of Elkhorn township, was born here, June 22, 1841. He is the son of Joseph and Eliza Meservey. Joseph was the son of Nathaniel, both of Vermont. He spent his life there and died when nearly ninety years of age. Joseph followed the business of shipping horses for nine years, and then went into a distillery, and then sold out and came to this State at an early date.

He continued at home until his marriage, worked with his father, and attended the subscription school when able. When he married he had a little farm, and afterward he bought more land. He now owns 760 acres, which he earned himself. He carried $10,000 life insurance. He runs a large quarry by machinery. This is a new industry, and will employ fully thirty men, and the machinery will require an outlay of nearly $8,000. He is a Republican in politics, and voted first for Abraham Lincoln.

He was married, June 15, 1865, to Melvina Jane Wilson, born in Pike county, Illinois. (See sketch of George Wilson for history of Mrs. Meservey's family). Mr. and Mrs. Meservey have nine children: Clara M., Warren R., George O., Maggie B., Elwood, Lorena E., Herbert H., Herman H., and Amy A. Warren R. married Cora V. Moore, of Brown county, and has two children: Estel V. and Nina.

The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the daughters are members of the Epworth League. They are a family that commands the respect and esteem of their host of friends.