The "History of Marion Co (IA), Dallas Twp" says Joseph A. Wells (carpenter) was born Dec 26, 1827 in Fayette Co. He was raised on a farm. He learned the carpenter trade (which he followed for 6 years) and joined the Presbyterian Church at the age of 21. He married Mary Ann Heywood in Fayette Co, PA in 1847 and was listed in the 1850 census there as Joseph Wells (22), a Carpenter, and his wife Mary (24).
He came to Iowa in 1851 and settled in Libertyville, Jefferson Co. In the spring of 1856 he moved to Marion Co, where he resided until his death of heart trouble.
1860 Census - Joseph Wells (32), a farmer born in PA with $320 of land & $75 of property, his wife Mary A. Wells (33), and a son Wm (7) born in Iowa.
He was listed in the 1863 Civil War draft registration records as Joseph Wells of Dallas, Marion Co, IA at age 37.
1870 Census - Joseph Wells (42) with $4,200 of land and $1,525 of property, his wife Mary (43), son Wm (17), dau Josephine (9), and Elizabeth Heywood (76) of Maryland.
1880 Census - Joseph Wells (52) a farmer born in PA and parents from PA, wife Mary A. Wells (53) born in MD and parents from MD, son Wm (26) divorced born IA parents PA & MD, Josephine (18) born IA, Artie M. (2) born IA and parents OH & IA, and Edward Hout (23) born OH & parents PA. He was a member of Mt. Zion Evangelical Church in Dallas Twp, was Justice of the Peace for 6 years and had 80 Acres of well improved farmland there. They lived in Dallas Twp until about 1895 when they moved to Knoxville. 1900 Census - Lists him, Mary, son William with the family of Edward Hout (son-in-law) and daughter Josie.
According to obit: They lived in Dallas Twp until about 1895 when they moved to Knoxville. He joined the Presbyterian Church at the age of 21. He left his wife, 2 children, several grandchildren and a brother, J.M. Wells in Dallas.