Joel J. Bond, County Superintendent of Schools of Ravalli County Montana was born in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, February 1, 1841. His grandfather, Joel Bond, was a native of Scotland, immigrated to America in 1809 and settled in the South. He was an honest and industrious farmer and lived to the age of sixty- two years. He reared five children, one of whom, William M. Bond, born in Kentucky in 1817 was the father of Joel J. Bond. He removed to Missouri and settled on a farm where he passed the rest of his life. His wife, nee Sarah M. Sullans was also a native of Kentucky. They had a family of four sons and one daughter of whom our subject was the second born.

      Professor Bond received his early education in the public schools and later attended the State University of Missouri
at Columbia.  Previous to his entering the University he taught school two years and after his graduation he taught twelve years in Missouri. His health then failed and he was advised by his physician to seek a change of climate. April 14, 1881 he landed in Stevensville Montana. Here he soon recovered his health, and gain engaged in teaching at Stevensville and at Victor for a number of Terms. Meanwhile he has invested in real estate. He owns a farm six miles southwest of Victor, has several lots in Victor and on one of these lots he has built a nice home.

      Professor Bond married in 1868 to Miss Elizabeth Baker, a native of Boone County Missouri, daughter of Rev. Barnabas Baker, a Baptist minister. They have five children: Anna J., Jesse H., Hattie L., Judson B. and Daisy S. Their oldest daughter, Anna J. is a teacher in the Stevensville schools and the second Jesse H. is a music teacher.