Prominent Johnson County pioneer family which settled in Coralville in the 1850s. Joseph K. Hemphill came to Johnson County in 1845 from Muscatine. He participated in the California gold rush of 1849 after which he returned to Iowa and married Mary Ward. The couple raised 6 children and purchased several farms, sharing ownership of some of the property with Joseph's brother, Silas H. Hemphill. In 1875 Silas sold his share to Joseph and moved to Denver. The children of Mary and Joseph spent most of their lives in Iowa. Sons Frank and Bud tended the family lands. Sons Ray and Arch worked stringing lines for telegraph companies. The only member of the third generation of Hemphills in Johnson County about whom much is known is the son of Bud, Joseph K. Hemphill. He studied engineering in Wisconsin but returned to Iowa and began a long courtship of Esther Klenk, a teacher. Joseph served in World War II as an electrical engineer, returning to Iowa City after the war.
From the description of Papers, 1852-1943. 1852-1943. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 55648098
