Joseph Burwell owns and cultivates a tract of land of forty acres on section 26, Nodaway township. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life’s journey and his record is in many respects a highly creditable one worthy of emulation. He was born in Crayford county, Ohio, August 1, 1834, and his parents, William and Nancy ( Morris) Burwell, were also natives of that state. In 1865 they came to Iowa and the mother (died in Limn county during the first year of their residence in this state. The father afterward came to Page county and here spent his remaining days. He was a farmer by occupation, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family which numbered eight children, namely Mrs. Mary Ann Brokaw, who died in 1909; Joseph, of this review; John, Morgan, Job, William and Thomas, all now deceased: an Mrs. Elizabeth Worden, living in Wisconsin.
Joseph Burwell was reared in the place of his nativity, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He resided in Crawford county, Ohio, until his removal to Iowa in 1866. For a year he lived in Linn county, and then came to Page county, having made his home continuously within its borders for forty-two years. He has always engaged in the tilling of the soil and his farm is now comprised of forty acres on section 26, Nodaway township, in addition to which he has five acres in Gravity, Iowa, on which good improvements have been made. He has lived a life of well directed industry and thrift and whatever success he has achieved or advantage he has enjoyed are attributable to his own labors.
On the 3rd of December, 1856, Mr. Burwell was married to Miss Sarah Eby, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, in July, 1837, and was a daughter of Peter and Rebecca Eby, who spent their entire lives in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Burwell became the parents of eight children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Their sons and daughters are as follows: A. W., who resides in Gravity, Iowa; Ida R., the wife of A. J. Heniger, living in Yorktown, Page county; Elmer M., who is located at Gravity; Emma, the wife of A. J. Walker, of Kansas; L. W., living in Nodaway township; J. O. of Hollyville; Carrie, the wife of Frank Brokaw, of Nodaway township; and C. A., of Taylor county. Mr. and Mrs. Burwell have twenty-seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Their three eldest children were born in Ohio and the others in Iowa. They also reared an adopted daughter, Iona, who was legally adopted. She is now the widow of Charles Heninger and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Burwell. She has one child, Cecil.
In his political views Mr. Burwell is a prohibitionist, for he believes firmly in the temperance cause and does what he can for its promotion. He was a member of the United Brethren church while living in Ohio but has become a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since living in this county. He is one of the respected citizens of southwestern Iowa, where he has now lived for more than four decades, during which period he has witnessed many changes as the county has been developed, the work of reclamation being carried on until Page county now ranks with the leading counties of this great commonwealth in all of its opportunities, its interests and its advantages.