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Joseph at age 3, lived with older brother, Charles, and his new bride,Rachel, following the
death of their mother. Following Rachel's death4 years later, he went to Iowa to live with
his 18 year old sister,Amelia Neal, who had married 2 years prior. Joseph fought in the Civil War and was in the battle of Pea Ridge,Arkansas. It was there he was wounded in the leg one night. Thefollowing morning doctors decided to remove the leg and from that timeon, he used a wooden leg. A niece remembered opening a closet doorafter he died and the leg tumbled out. It is unknown when he returned to the Monticello, Piatt Co, IL, areabut most of his history can be found there where he is often called"Mr. Van Gundy." He had several occupations in his lifetime: He operated a grocery store which he later sold to A.B. Binder. He was a druggist in partnership with a German immigrant named Bohn. 4/10/1872 He was the Treasurer of Monticello and also spent some timeas county clerk. 7/9/1873 He was a charter member of the Fraternal Encampment #145,I.O.O.F. Lodge and immediately elected as a presiding officer, that ofC.P. He was installed in the same office again 1/2/1882. Themembership at that time totaled 30 and met twice a month in theOdd-Fellow's hall over J.A. Brown's store. 1877 He was listed as County Treasurer. 1898-1912 He seved as postmaster of Monticello. 1880 Monticello Twp, Piatt Co, IL. In the census, he is listed as adruggist born in Ohio with parents both born in Germany. He had aboarder, Viola Walker, 20, living with him. |
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Joe outlived his wife and 4 young children. His estate was divided among his nieces and nephews, $400 of which was received by John Neal. |