Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013,
                           All Rights Reserved
                          U.S. Data Repository

    Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
=========================================================================
U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced
in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization.
Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain
the consent of the transcriber prior to use.
Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so.
=========================================================================
Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 554]

    JOSIAH REES, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Amherst Township,
    has been a resident of Cherokee County since 1874.  He was born in
    Ontario, Canada, and is a son of ***** and RACHEL(HALFORD) REES,
    natives of Wales, who came to Canada immediately after their marriage.
    Our subject is one of a family of five children; he was reared to the
    duties of farming, which he has made his occupation through life.  He
    received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-
    one years he came to Wisconsin, and settled in La Crosse County, where
    he spent three years.  There he was married October 20, 1868, to Miss
    MARY E. PERRY, also natives of Wales; the mother's maiden name was
    ROBERTS.  Mrs. REES was born May 12, 1844.  After her marriage she and
    her husband took a trip to Canada, and after their return settled in
    Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, where they remained five years.  In May,
    1874, they came to Cherokee County and located on a farm of 160 acres
    in Amherst Township; the land was raw prairie, and there were very few
    families in the township.  On the west as far as the eye could reach
    there was no human habitation visible.  We must ever be impressed with
    the bravery and courage of those pioneers who took the country as
    nature left it and made it "blossom as the rose."  They first erected
    a small frame residence, which has been enlarged into a commodious
    dwelling.  There is a beautiful grove surrounding the house and other
    buildings, which adds very materially to the attractiveness of the
    place.  When he came to the county Mr. REES had $100 in money, a team
    of horses and a wagon.  The first few years he made a living by
    breaking prairie and threshing; he passed through the grasshopper
    raid, losing his crops for three years.  It will be seen that he
    escaped none of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life,
    but his pluck and energy held out until he came off a conqueror.
    Politically Mr. REES has no party affiliations, casting his vote for
    the man best fitted in his opinion to fill the office; his inclina-
    tions are, however, in the direction of the Democratic party.  He has
    served on the School Board and as road supervisor.  Mr. and Mrs. REES
    are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an
    active part in carrying on the work of their Master.  They are the
    parents of five children: ELEANOR R., ROBERT JOSIAH, PERRY R., GUY L.
    and CLARENCE E.

===========================================================================