Polk Co. IAGenWeb

ANKENY, GEN. JOSEPH - This truly noble man was born at Somerset, Pa., June 30, 1802. At the early age of seventeen he accompanied his brother in his emigration to Southern Illinois, where he spent nearly two years. They floated down the Ohio river to its mouth; thence they pulled up the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers to Brownsville. He returned on horseback to Somerset in 1820. This early and hazardous journey tended to strongly develop his manliness and self-reliance. He was married at Berlin, Somerset county, Pa., July 29, 1823, to Harriet Gersey, the estimable woman who until his death, and beyond the golden wedding, trod with him the path of life, and who at this writing still lives in the city, a noble type of true womanhood. They lived on the old homestead on Pennsylvania, until 1831, when they removed to Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where as farmer and merchant he lived for thirty-five'years. In this time he was a member of the Ohio Legislature during three terms, and filled other offices, both civil and military. He was one of the Republican electors of his State in 1860, and was chosen to carry the electoral vote of Ohio to Washington upon the breaking out of the rebellion. No man exercised a greater or more beneficial influence in behalf of liberty and the Union. He had fifty-two near relatives and descendants battling for the right. His prominent support of the war measures rendered his further residence in Holmes county unpleasant, and he determined to seek a more patriotic locality. This resulted in his making his future home in Polk county, Iowa, in 1867. Here be continued to live until May 19, 1876, when he was removed by death. General Ankeny purchased property in Des Moines and entered his farm, consisting of section twelve, in Crocker township in 1854, since which time, in interest and residence be has been identified with the settlement and progress of Polk county. At the time of his death he was among the oldest Masons in the State. All the Masons of the city joined to escort his remains to the grave. General Ankeny was cast in a heroic mould; a man of tenacious character, the Huguenot blood of his ancestry flowing strongly in his veins. Independent and self-reliant, he was ever forward and energetic in all the duties of life, and through all his career awakened and returned the confidence and respect of the best people among whom he resided. He left a record such as falls to few men. The children of General Ankeny residing in Polk county are Dr. J. F. Ankeny and Capt. P. D. Ankeny, General Rollin Y. Ankeny, Mrs. John R. Barcroft, and Miss Hattie L. Ankeny at home with their mother, corner of Tenth and Locust streets. Capt. Henry G. Ankeny resides in Adams county, Iowa, and Mary E., now Mrs. Clark, at Hartford, Conn.