William J. Joslin, who has passed away, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Robison) Joslin, both natives of the Keystone state. In 185.1, when the son, William J., was a lad of eleven years the family came to Iowa and for two years lived in Dubuque county, after which a removal was made to Delhi township, this county. The father passed away there, but the mother died in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this review was the oldest.
     William J. Joslin was a farmer by occupation and cultivated the old home place throughout his life. At his death he owned one hundred and twenty acres on section 19, Milo township, and as he was a progressive and industrious agri­culturist his land yielded him a competence which enabled him to enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. His crops were planted in good season, well taken care of and brought high prices in the market, and the stock that he raised was always of a good grade. His demise, which occurred on the 16th of March, 1914, was the occasion of sincere mourning, as he was widely known and had many loyal friends. He was buried in Oakland cemetery at Manchester.
     Mr. Joslin was married in 1885 to Mrs. Rozetta (Connor) Peters, who was born in Milo township, this county, on the 12th of October, 1855. Her parents were David and Julia (Davis) Connor, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa in 1839 and located in Milo township, this county, where they took up government land. They built a log cabin and covered the same with a clapboard roof, while the door was made of one side of a box. The journey to this state was made by boat up the Mississippi to Dubuque. Mr. and Mrs. Connor had eight children, of whom four daughters are living. By her first marriage, Mrs. Joslin had two children: Nellie, the wife of Thomas De Lancy, of Milo town­ship; and Solon K., now in South Dakota, By her marriage to Mr. Joslin she has three children: Clarence B., who is at home; Florence E., the wife of Arthur Shepard, who lives upon the home farm and has one son, Norvil C.; and Helen J., at home. Mrs. Joslin still owns the farm and supervises its operation, manifesting sound business judgment in the conduct of her affairs.
     Mr. Joslin was a republican in his political belief, but never sought office, although he manifested a commendable interest in the public welfare. His life was an active one and he did much to improve and develop his farm after it came into his possession, and in so doing aided in the progress of his county.