Biography - Joseph Voiles
JOSEPH H. VOILES is the Superintendent of the Shelby County Poor House, which is located on section 4, Rose Township. His father was Giles V. Voiles, and he was born in Decatur County, Ind. He was united in marriage with Lucinda Merritt, a native of Kentucky, and settled in his native county where he spent his days, and passed away in 1863. His wife afterward came to Shelby County where she died in January, 1885. They had a family of ten children of whom our subject was the eldest.
Joseph Voiles was born in Decatur County, Ind., December 28, 1843. His father was a shoemaker by trade, but owned and operated a farm besides following his trade. Our subject grew to manhood on his father's farm. Upon September 15, 1864, this young man who had barely reached his Majority, took to wife Miss Maria J. Gentry, who was born in Franklin County, Ind., and who became the mother of ten children. Those who grew to maturity were as follows: Mary L.; Chloe, who died when about eighteen years old; Rosa E., who is the wife of Henry Sherwood; Franklin A., Oscar M., William H. and Perley. Three who died young bore the names of Henry, Alva and Catherine. Mrs. Maria Voiles died in Rose Township, February 12, 1886.
When Mr. Voiles was first married he settled in Decatur County, Ind., and engaged in farming, which business he still carried on after coming from there to Shelby County in 1870. He was married a second time in Oconee, this county, December 27, 1887, to Miss Anna M. Gould, daughter of Stephen and Jerusha (Read) Gould. Mr. Gould died in Shelby County, February 7, 1885. Of a family of seven children Mrs. Voiles is the eldest, and she was born in Union County, Ind., June 7, 1857. She is the mother of one child, Leland C.
In September, 1881, Mr. Voiles was appointed Superintendent of the Shelby County Poor House, in which capacity he has gained the good opinion of every one who understands the workings of the institution. The house is noted for its cleanliness throughout and for its good management. Much credit is due both Mr. and Mrs. Voiles for their excellent care of its inmates; and in their gentle and kindly treatment of them they have truly evinced the genuine Christian character which is theirs. They are both connected with the Methodist Church and Mr. Voiles has always taken an active part in religious work, being Class-Leader, Steward and Trustee. His political views have led him to affiliate with the Democratic party, in whose policy he firmly believes.
Extracted by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 193-194.
