Josiah McCutchan

Josiah, the surviving eldest brother, headed about 1855 to Wayne County, Iowa, probably with a group from Indiana. Many born in Floyd County, Indiana are found in the Iowa censuses. Later, David and possibly another brother (a Sam is often mentioned in Fanny's letters to Iowa, but he is not identified as the brother), joined Josiah, now married.

Josiah-- or Joe as he was referred to in their letters-- was ten years the elder; he must have assumed a big brother- mentor role for David. A photo of Josiah and his family not included in this history shows the two brothers strongly resembled each other physically, down to the white beards. They maintained fond ties all their lives, although neither was a very frequent letter-writer, and they did not see much of each other after David left Iowa.

In 1865 or 1866 (different sources give each year), both McCutchan brothers moved one county west to Decatur, for reasons unknown. These counties border Missouri, in the southwest part of Iowa.