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In Osceola county, Iowa, the subject of this sketch was born in 1859, being the son of Joel D. and Miranda M. (Bennett) Carroll, who were married November 12, 1840. The father was a native of Clark county, Indiana, and at the age of sixteen learned the blacksmith's trade, doing a large business in New Washington, that state, and in Iowa, until 1864, when he migrated with ox teams to the far west, landing in Union county in the fall of the same year and opening a shop in Union. For seven years he was active in this industry and then bought a farm three miles northwest from town and gave his attention to agriculture for six years, when he sold out and removed to Union and retired from active business. In June 1897, the mother passed away, after living fifty-seven years of married life and bearing ten children. The father ahs been for forty years a Mason, and has been prominent in the affairs of the county, serving as treasurer of the county for four years from 1878 to 1882, being elected on the Democratic ticket.

Returning more directly to our subject, Joel M. was educated in Union and at the age of twenty years began the battle of life for himself, serving first as clerk in the sheriff's office; then he taught school, after which he went to the state university in 1883, remaining one year and returning to Union. He entered into partnership with B.F. Wilson, and started an abstract office. While so engaged he read law until the fall of 1888, being at that time admitted to the bar. He formed a partnership with J.W. Shelton, which continued until 1891, when he practiced alone. He was elected a member of the city council and has filled with efficiency many public offices since that time, among which is city recorder, deputy county clerk, deputy county sheriff, clerk of the state board of equalization, mayor of Union twice, and others also. In 1892 he ran on the Democratic ticket for district attorney, but suffered defeat and in 1897 was placed as one of the presidential electors, but declined the position. He was always prominent in politics and acted as chairman of the Democratic county convention for a number of times. Fraternally, Mr. Carroll is a member of the K. of P., having taken all of the degrees in that order; of the w. of W., Maccabees and Red Men.

On July 17, 1887, Mr. Carroll married Miss Mary, daughter of R.W. and Rebecca Lenhart, of Caldwell county, Missouri, and to them have been born four children,-Emil E., Jerome M., R. Mourine and Richard. Carroll was one of the substantial citizens of the county and active in all that was for its interests while he achieved good success in his private enterprises. But on December 23, 1901, death called Mr. Carroll hence and a large circle of friends, besides his relatives, were left to mourn his sad demise. He was beloved by all and the day of his interment in Union cemetery was one when many hearts were sad.