After Rebecca’s marriage, she moved to Pinal. Ellis Johnson and Talmage Pomeroy would accompany Joseph with his music. Joseph’s young daughter, Goldie, was musically inclined and had learned to play the chords on the organ. She accompanied her father to all socials and dances until her marriage.

Joseph had a well built physique, with broad shoulders and a thick chest. His height was near five foot ten, and his average weight was one hundred and seventy-seven pounds. Joseph had kind and expressive grey blue eyes, with black hair, olive skin, and long features. He was honest, kind, and true, and possessed a noble character. He was physically strong and a very hard worker.

There were long hours of hard work on the farm for Joseph. He purchased from Hank Willis a small dark red cow for fifty dollars—the first cow they had owned in Arizona. Then a white cow was purchased from Bill Lewis in Pinal for eighty-five dollars. Later a few calves were purchased and soon Joseph had a small herd of milk cows. The milking of the cows provided ample work for his children, and plenty of milk for the household use. The milk was sold to the creamery and the money received was used to pay for water assessments, taxes, etc.

The family had grown in number and the two room adode house with the one lumber room by its side was becoming very congested. In 1896 Joseph purchased a two room lumber house from a neighbor, William Passey, and moved it into the Bond yard, butting it beside the lumber room which already stood in the yard. Tearing down the old adobe house, a lean-to of two rooms was added to the lumber house. Now the house had five rooms to enjoy and live in. To this family the house seemed a mansion. Indeed, it was a home sweet home.

School buildings were being built and Joseph in his spare time from working on the farm, with his team and wagon, would haul brick, rock, sand, and gravel. He hauled some of the brick which was laid in the Irving School Building. His small son, George, loved to go with his father hauling. Joseph would place a plank slant wise to the wagon and George would walk up the plank carrying a brick at a time helping his father.

In the year 1895 the LDS Tabernacle, the new stake house, (now the Mesa Third Ward) located at the corners of 1st Ave. and Morris St., was being shingled. Joseph and his eldest son, Marlow, were making a delivery of a load of loose hay to Wellington Richins’ home. Turning the corner, which is now W. Main St. and N. Country Club Drive, Joseph slipped off the load of hay fell to the ground and dislocated the hip bone of his right leg. Arthur Openshaw, who was shingling the Tabernacle building, saw Joseph fall and hurried to the scene of the accident. A Dr. Wilbur, passing by with his horse and buggy on a call to Phoenix, took Joseph to his home and then went on his way. A Dr. Sabin was called into the home to give aid and assistance and stated that the leg had been badly sprained. For one year it was impossible for Joseph to get around except with the aide of crutches. Much pain and suffering was endured. His leg mended with the socket bone of the hip pushed inward, leaving him crippled for life.

Joseph helped to clean and enlarge the Montezuma Canal from the Division Gates up to the first dam this side of Granite Reef following on down to the Mesa Canal ending at the corner of Joseph’s property. Year later Mr. A.J. Chandler purchased the canal and made two canals running east and south going into the new town of Chandler (named for Mr. Chandler) located directly south of Mesa eight miles. The water was used on this new farming district.

Joseph had a chance to file on some School Land one-half mile north and west from his home place. By doing so, and keeping the land which consisted of fifteen acres cultivated and planted in productive crops each year, the land then was deeded to Joseph. He was indeed grateful to get this land under such favorable conditions and he always put it to great use.
Throughout Joseph’s life he never forgot the religious teachings of his early childhood given him by his parents. He was taught to be honest, trustworthy, and kind, to pray and give thanks to the “Lord for his many blessings.”

Joseph worked in his church. He served as Young Men’s Mutual Improvement President in the Alma Ward, with James Vance as first counselor and Joseph Hawks as second counselor. He was always ready to furnish the music for all dances and socials which took place in the ward, donating of his time for money raising socials for the young men answering a mission call. He was a ward teacher. Never known to shun a turn in visiting the families assigned him and his companion. Most usually walking miles to the homes visited. He was ordained a High Priest Sept. 7, 1914 by President James LeSueur of the Maricopa Stake.

His eldest son, Marlow, now eligible, had received a mission call. Marlow graciously accepted this opportunity of filling a mission. Money in those days seemed so very hard to acquire. A farewell social was held. Joseph furnished the music. The total amount of funds raised was five dollars. It took much scheming and saving for Joseph and Prudence to raise enough money for his transportation to Kansas City, Missouri, known as the Central States Mission. He labored in St. Johns, Kansas traveling without purse or script. The blessings of the Lord guided all missionaries to the homes of those of the honest in heart. Surely the Lord blessed this family at home in saving their meager amount of money to sustain their missionary son. Two years lapsed, how proud Joseph and Prudence were for the return of their son who had been given an honorable release from his mission, and the humble testimony he possessed. His mission term was from Feb. 10, 1902 to June 9, 1904.

In 1905 Joseph and Prudence took up a desert claim at Queen Creek, Arizona, located about sixteen miles south and east of their home in Mesa. They lived there while their children looked after the farm, milked the cows, and attended their school. Again Joseph and Prudence had much work ahead of them as this desert claim was nothing but chaparral brush and mesquite trees. Three hundred twenty acres of land in those days was a huge acreage. Several acres of land were cleared and grain was planted depending on the rains for moisture.

A well eighty feet deep was dug. The land was fenced and a corral and shed made of mesquite poles. The cows and calves were driven here for grazing and milking. The water was drawn from the well with buckets by hand to water the thirsty animals. Later a gasoline pump was installed.

Trips to the home in Mesa were far between. Traveling by team and wagon it would take most of the day with perhaps an all night stay over to make the round trip. Prudence most usually left alone with only the dog, Jack, for protection. To her the night was long and still with only the calling of a quail, the song of a cricket, and the howling or coyotes. In the year 1912 the land was deeded to this couple by the State of Arizona. Now they could come back to their home in Mesa and live with their family. Yes, indeed, they were pioneers with much faith and courage.

On Joseph’s sixty-second birthday he was happily surprised when a baby daughter was born to Ellis and Eliza Bond Pew. This was their second child. The baby was given the name of Mary Louise Pew (Miller). This was Joseph’s eighth grandchild and to be born on his birthday made him gratefully pleased. With their mutual birthday falling on or near Thanksgiving Day each year, the family dinner would be in their honor, usually being held at the Pew residence located at 540 N. Grand St. It was a day of feast and thankfulness enjoyed by all.

Peace and happiness. Then the terrible out break of World War One in the year 1917. America was now at war. Only the elect young men were called to serve their country. Thousands of young men were drafted. Joseph and Prudence’s son, George, was one chosen. With saddened hearts and tear filled eyes they bade him goodbye. From the east coast to the west coast he traveled. While he was stationed in San Diego, Joseph went by way of train to visit him. Soon afterwards he was sent over seas to France. Months passed with much anxiety and worry. Finally came that great day--the signing of the Armistice. The war was over. George returned safely home.