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Joseph Pershall
Washington Township
... The earliest election of which there is any preserved record, was held on the 5th of April, '52, at which the following officers were chosen:
Allen Pearson and Joseph Grove, justices; ...
Previous to this Joseph Pershall and James M. Brady were justices; ...
The names of most of those who settled in the township at the earliest dates, are as follows: ... and Joseph Pershall in '48; ...
Joseph Pershall, who was one of the first justices in the township, moved from Missouri, and settled on section 3, in the spring of '48, on land now owned by Charles McKey.
Mr. P. and his family suffered many hardships during the first few years of their pioneer experience, particularly in the way of procuring breadstuff. One milling expedition performed by two of his sons, I take occasion to relate, quoting from his written statement:
"I do not remember the year, but it was in the month of December. There was a little snow on the ground, but it was pleasant and thawing, when I started two of my boys, Phineas and Isaac, to mill. They went to Haymaker's, on Cedar, but failed to get their grinding done there. Then they went to Eddyville, and failed there also; and from there to the Skunk river mills. Here they got in company with John Harsin and Phillip Canton, stayed all night and got their grinding by late next evening. In the mean time it turned severely cold, insomuch that it was hazardous to undertake to travel. But they were all pretty resolute fellows, and anxious to get home, for they knew we must be uneasy about them by that time. So, cold s it was, they started. After getting about two miles they discovered they had left their bed clothing at the mill, and had to stop, borrow a horse and send the youngest boy back for them.
They got to Oskaloosa that night, and stayed there. Nest morning it was still cold as ever, but they set out to try it again. They would drive on till they were nearly frozen, then stop and warm and go again. One evening Phillip Canton got so cold that he began to get stupid and sleepy, and sat down by the side of the road, with his back against a tree, and said he was going to rest awhile. The others tried to persuade him to get up, but he remained on his seat. They then took hold of him and raised him to his feet, when Mr. Harsin took his whip and gave him several pretty keen lashed around the legs. This made him a little mad and he was then able to travel.
"On the fifth day they got home in safely, and we were all glad to see them."