Joseph Warren Dilley, son of Joseph and Eliza Jane Dilley, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, December 28, 1843. One of ten children, all of whom have preceded him in death. His early boyhood was spent in Ohio. His mother died when he was age 15. A year later in 1859, the father, with his children moved to Delaware County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Colesburg. Here Mr. Dilley helped his father on the farm for a few years.
During this time the Civil War broke upon the nation and Mr. Dilley like thousands of other young men answered the call of his country. The date of his enlistment was October 14, 1864 and he was mustered as a private in Company L of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry. After a short training period Mr. Dilley went with his regiment into the southern states where he saw most of his military service.

Mr. Dilley enjoyed good health even in his advanced age. He was a frequent visitor to Tripoli previous to his death. His mind was alert at all times and he enjoyed all his mental faculties up to within a few minutes of his being called away. A truly remarkable man in mind as well in physique for one of his years. Being a man well read, he enjoyed a large acquaintance, and his loss will be felt by hundreds. The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs Bertha E Flood, Waverly; and four sons, Lee and Charles, Sumner; Frank, Fredericksburg and Will of Oran, besides 21 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a large number of friends and neighbors.
Funeral services were held from the home and the Congregational church today (Wednesday) at one o'clock, Rev R A Doss, Randalla, and former pastor here, preaching the sermon. Following the services at the church, members of the Bockhaus-Bartela post of the American Legion took charge of the veteran comrade and bore the body to its last resting place in Fremont cemetery, beside that of his departed wife where burial service was rendered and military honors given.

This taken from: The Tripoli Ledger - Tripoli, Iowa, Wednesday, January 29, 1930 - Vol 34 No. 5