Joseph M. Abel, one of the oldest residents of Pottawattamie County and a pioneer settler of the early Mormon period, died at his home in Garner Township Saturday morning of dropsical trouble of three weeks standing, following twelve years of suffering from rheumatism. His age was 74 years, 3 months and 7 days. He had been a resident for more than fifty years on the homestead where he died.

Mr. Abel was born in Lee County, February 20, 1842, a son of David Able. When but 7 years of age his parents moved to this county with one of the foremost bands of Mormons under Brigham Young, and he has since made his home here, with the exception of a few years spent in Missouri.

Arriving at the age of manhood he went west and engaged in freighting from the Missouri River to Denver for five years, during the period of Indian troubles and massacres on the plains, when stages were escorted by United States soldiers. Mr. Abel and other men with him took one train of twenty one wagons unescorted to Denver. He had many hairbreadth escapes and for days acted as scout, riding high divides to guard the train.

Returning to his home here he purchased a portion of the present homestead in Garner Township where he built a home. He was married in Council Bluffs, January 9, 1866, to Miss Frances Winchester, who suvives with their five children, Mrs. George (Allura) Smith of Crescent Township, Marvin H., Allen B. and Harvey all of Garner Township, and Ivan E. Abel of Council Bluffs.