In 1883, "Uncle Joe Wiley" moved his family to Barber County. He had
     previously run a fovernment mail route from his home, Ellsworth, to
     Great Bend and Larned. His daughter, Belle, remembered he first saw
     Barber County in 1878, while delivering mail in the area.
       Joseph Wiley, probably the oldest verteran of the Civil War in Barber
     County at his death, died May 30, 1918. A veteran of outstanding service
     in two wars, he died on what was at that time the most sacred national
     day. He was well-loved by everyone in the community.
       It is a tribute to the stamina of a man that, through he suffered
     numerous afflictions, caused by his military service, he, at age seventy,
     bought a farm, paying for it while working it.
       Always looking for new frontiers, he was at Seiling, Oklahoma when word
     of his wife's impending demise came. He rode, by trading horses, non-stop;
     but he was too late. His kind, gentle wife, Rebecca Jane (Wilson) died in
     1896. From that time forth when someone inquired of his health, he would 
     state, "Just fine. Just waiting for the Master's call."
       He was born in Stafford County, Virginia, December 16, 1827, son of
     Hezekia Wiley, of North Carolina and Sarah (Wheeler) of Maryland. In his
     youth, his parents moved their family to Defiance County, Ohio, where the
     father was killed at a log-rolling. His mother returned to her native
     Maryland, later marrying James Henderson, from whom she had three sons.
       His family was living in Difiance County when he, against the wished
     of his parents, enlisted under the name Joseph Henderson in the Mexican
     War. Later he served gallantly during the Civil War. He was captured by
     Confederates, escaped before arrival at Andersonville, and aided by
     ex-slaves, returned to his own lines.
       He returned home to Defiance, where he married Miss Wilson, November 26,
     1865. They moved to Ellsworth in 1871 and later to Barber County. The
     Wiley's had nine children, four preceeded him in death: Joseph Orrin, born
     1868 (married Effie Bechtel); Hezekiah, born 1870; George, born 1873; and
     Lucy Cynthia born 1878.
       Five daughters survived him - Mrs. Clarence (Cora) Blake, born 1866, Mrs.
     Amos (Belle) Ash, born 1871; Mrs. Robert (Della) McLain born 1876; and Mrs.
     Pearl (Lucy) Haner born 1883.
       It is to his credit that early in life he became a devout, practicing
     member of the Christian Church and was a charter member of the Medicine
     Lodge church even before he moved there. He was one of the few men who
     were so fortunate, accompishing so much in life. He truly deserved the
     reward he received upon entering eternity.
     
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 486