John V. Gorrell, one of the intelligent and successful citizens of Washington Township, came to this county in 1877 from Pettis County, Missouri and settled on his present farm in 1881. He was born in Pettis County, Missouri, February 17, 1848 the son of Joseph Gorrell, who was born in Berkeley County, West Virginia, and was a son of William Gorrell a native of Ireland. William Gorrell grew to manhood and was married in his native country. He afterward came to America, first settling in Virginia, but later removed to Missouri, where he died in Pettis County. In religion he was a believer in the Church of Christ. The wife of Joseph Gorrell and the mother of our subject was Priscilla (Blue) Gorrell. She was a native of Virginia and died when J.V. was four months old. Joseph Gorrell now resides in Saline County, Missouri; he is a farmer by occupation; a Democrat politically; and in religion he is a member of the Christian Church.

John V. was reared on a farm in Pettis County until 1877, when he came to Pottawattamie County first settling in Keg Creek Township where he resided one year and then removed to Washington Township. He resided here one year and in the northern part of Washington Township two years. In 1881 he purchased his present farm of 120 acres at ten dollars and a half per acre and here he has since resided and made his home. His residence, which was erected in 1890 cost $1,045.

Mr. Gorrell was married in Pettis County, October 18, 1876 to Alice Hamilton a woman of intelligence and education, and a daughter of Thornton Hamilton who was born and reared in Kentucky, was of English ancestry, a miller by vocation and politically a Republican. He died in 1863. The mother of Mrs. Gorrell was Amanda (Blythe) Hamilton, who was a native of Kentucky and a daughter of John Blythe, a native of Kentucky. She now lives in Woodbury County, Iowa at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Gorrell was reared and educated in Kentucky and came to Missouri in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Gorrell have five children, viz.: Lillie, Percilla, Avis, James, Allen and Charlie. They lost one by death, Albert Walter, their first born, who died at the age of five years from the effects of falling into a boiler of hot water. Mr. Gorrell politically is a Democrat, and in religion was reared a "Campbellite." Although they are not members of any church, they are believers in Christianity and the Golden Rule. They are interested in the cause of education and are numbered among the intelligent people of the neighborhood.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini