Joseph A. Ankeney

Narrative:

     Joseph A. Ankeney was born on 25 May 1837 in Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio.^5,6,7
     He was probably one of the two males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, John Ankeney Jr., in the 1840 Federal Census of Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio.¹⁴
     His mother died on 9 Jun 1846, when Joseph was 9 years old.^15,16 His father died on 10 Feb 1847, when Joseph was still 9 years old.^17,18

His Estate Managed by a Guardian --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     On 14 Mar 1848, after posting a bond of $2,000, Andrew H. Baughman was named guardian of Joseph, age 11, his brothers William, age 15, and Henry Newton, age 9, and sister Rachel, age 7. He was to be responsible for their persons and their estate. Each was entitled to an undivided one-fifth share of their father's estate, shared with their older brother John, who had reach his majority and received his share directly.¹⁹ The early reports of the guardian have not been found, but we do know that the administrator of their father's estate reported a balance of $1,698 in the estate in the last settlement that has been found. There was also real estate, including parcels in Greene Co. and Henry Co.^20,21
     Joseph appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Xenia Twp., Greene Co., Ohio, enumerated 18 Jul 1850, in the household of Samuel Puterbaugh, a wealthy merchant, his wife and children.²²
     The earliest guardian's report found was filed 7 Mar 1853. He reported receiving $6,504 from the sale of real estate in Sep 1850, $1,000 from bank stock, and other payments for a total of $8,747. He reported expenditures of $1,224, for a balance for each child of $1,880.²³ On 23 Apr 1853 the guardian petitioned the court to allow sale of a 68-acre parcel two and a half miles northwest of Xenia. It contained "a comfortable dwelling house" and "a good mill seat" but the flouring mill which had been there for 20 years had burned a few days before. Appraisers valued the children's four fifth interest at $1,800 after the court approved the sale. The guardian sold their interest at the courthouse door on 18 Jun 1853 for $1,875.08.²⁴
     On 26 May 1858, the day after his 21st birthday, Joseph was received his share of the funds then held by the guardian, $2,450. Disposition of the land in Henry Co., and whether there was any other real estate, are unknown.²⁵

Moving West --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Joseph moved to Iowa before 1860.²⁶ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Oskaloosa Twp., Mahaska Co., Iowa, enumerated 29 Jun 1860, in a hotel operated by B. W. Johnson and his wife Elizabeth, with four other men who appear to also residents there. He reported real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $500.²⁷
     He was clerk in a hardware store, then moved into banking.^28,29 He registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated Jun and Jul 1863, while living in Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Iowa, reporting he was employed as a bank teller.¹
     Joseph married Eliza E. Dart, daughter of William Samuel Dart and Marietta Cobb, on 12 Oct 1864 in Mahaska Co., Iowa.^8,9,10
     Joseph and Eliza moved to Des Moines by the mid-1860s.³⁰

Founding the Linseed Oil Business --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Joseph and his older brother William purchased property at East 5th and Vine Sts., Des Moines, in the fall of 1866, and constructed a linseed oil mill there, completing the Central Oil Works the following year. There was no flax being grown in the area, so William brough seed from Ohio and they contracted with farmers to raise the crop. The first year the crop was destroyed by grasshoppers, and the second was so wet that the harvest was light. But the third year an excellent crop was raised, and the business succeeded. It was for some years was among the leading industries in the city. The two brothers operated the company until 1884, when a stock company was formed and took over the business.^{31,32,33,34,35}
     Joseph and Eliza appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, enumerated 20 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $11,000. Their children Helen and Lora were listed as living with them, and her parents are shown as living in the same building.³⁶
     Joseph and Eliza appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, at 210 Water St. (previously called 1st St.), enumerated 30 Jun 1880. Their children Helen, Lora, Alice and Walter were listed as living with them, as were her parents, his nephew Charles E. Ankeney, age 25, and Hannah Nelson, age 22, a servant.³⁷
     Joseph was issued letters of administration on 26 Oct 1881 in Polk Co., Iowa, for the estate of William Samuel Dart, his wife's father, who had died intestate (without leaving a will). He posted a bond of $2,000.³⁸
     Joseph and Eliza appeared on the 1885 State Census of Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa, at 210 1st St. Their children Helen, Lora, Alice and Walter were listed as living with them, as was her mother, and Ellie O'Brien, a cook, and Charles Newburger, a laborer.³⁹
     After the oil works were sold, Joseph went into the insurance business.⁴⁰
     The administratrix of the estate of his brother-in-law, Webster T. Dart, filed her first settlement 26 Mar 1889, showing she had paid him $525 to reimburse him for final expenses and to return the body for burial, including $65 in medical expenses in Denver, $250 for a casket and embalming, $58 for the deceased's hotel bill in Denver, and $87 to travel to Denver to retrieve the body. An additional claim of $1,400 against the estate remained unpaid.⁴¹ When the final settlement of his brother-in-law's estate was filed 12 Oct 1889, there were not enough funds to pay the remainder of his claim, so he released the estate from liability so it could be closed.⁴²

Moving to Florida for His Health --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Joseph and Eliza moved to Florida by 1900, in an attempt to improve his health.⁴⁰ They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Ankona, Brevard Co., Florida, enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their farm. Their son Stewart was listed as living with them, as was her mother, and Emma B. Fletcher, who was listed as a visitor.⁴³
     He became a fruit grower, specializing in pineapples.^44,45
     Joseph died on 29 Jul 1908 in Asheville, North Carolina, at age 71, where he was taken for treatment.^11,12,6 He was buried in Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa, in the Ankeney family lot.¹³
     Joseph died intestate (without leaving a will) and letters of administration for his estate were issued on 12 Aug 1908 in Polk Co., Iowa. to his son-in-law, Jesse F. Stevenson, upon posting a bond of $9,000.⁴⁶ The administrator filed a petition 14 Sep 1908 stating that the only assets of the estate was a life insurance policy paying $4,772.44, which under state law was to be distributed one-third to the widow and two-thirds to the three surviving children, Lora, Alice and Stewart. He sought the permission of the court to make that distribution, which was granted the same day.⁴⁷ The estate was closed 25 Nov 1908.⁴⁸