Joseph DOUBLET, familiarly called "Joe," a term indicative of his genial disposition and the warm friendship entertained for him throughout the community, has resided in Grant township [Taylor Co. IA] for more than three decades and during that period has taken an active part in the work of advancement and progress which has been carried on within its borders. Born in Peoria county, Illinois, May 15, 1844, he is a son of Francis and Margaret (RYAN) DOUBET, natives of France and Ireland respectively. The father, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity, came to the new world when a young man, settling in Peoria county, Illinois, where he was married. Unto that union were born two sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the oldest. The others are: Sylvester, carrying on business in Peoria, Illinois; Mary, the wife of E. A. PAYMAL, of Lenox, Iowa; and Ellen, who married Charles PELTIER, of Clearfield.

No event of especial importance came to vary the routine of life for Joseph DOUBET during his youth, which was spent on his father's farm in Illinois. He acquired a good education in the common and high schools of that state, and when not busy with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. Later he entered business on his own account, wisely selecting as his life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He operated a farm in Illinois until 1875, which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa, and he settled in Taylor county. He purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres in Grant township, upon which he located, and at once began its improvement and cultivation. With the passing of the years he became very successful in his undertaking and was able to purchase additional property from time to time, so that today he owns seven hundred and forty acres of valuable land, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of the county. The place adjoins the corporate limits of the town of Clearfield, and as he has prospered he has made substantial improvements upon the farm. He erected a comfortable and attractive two-story residence, built a substantial barn and good outbuildings, and set out a grove and large orchard which yields abundant fruit in season. In connection with general farming, he also devotes considerable time to his stock interests, buying and fattening hogs and making a specialty of raising high-grade Aberdeen Angus cattle. His business interests have become extensive and are so wisely and carefully conducted that he is winning substantial success and he is ranked among the representative and prosperous agriculturists of his township.

On the 22d of October, 1878, Mr. DOUBET was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth BRICKLEY, a native of Missouri, where she was educated and was engaged for some time as a teacher. This union has been blessed with seven children, namely: Nellie, the wife of Horace BAKER, of Beaconsfield, Ringgold county, Iowa; Margaret, who is following the occupation of teaching; Gertrude; Mabel and Edith, who are also teachers; Florence and Dorothy, who are still under the parental roof.

In his political affiliations Mr. DOUBET is independent, preferring to cast his ballot for the men and measures which in his opinion will best conserve public welfare. He has served as county supervisor one term, has filled the offices of clerk and trustee of the township and served as township supervisor for one term, while he likewise acted as assessor for sixteen years. Throughout his public career he has performed the duties that devolved upon him in his various offices with a faithfulness and efficiency which won for him the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. In every relation of life, whether business, public or private, he has held to high and honorable principles, and the rules governing his entire career have measured up to a high standard of manhood.

SOURCE:  CROSSON, Frank E. History of Taylor County, Iowa: From the Earliest Times to 1910
Pp. 606 - 607. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008