From the book "History of Wabasha County" published 1884

Joseph Ley, farmer, Watopa, is a native of Luxembourg, Germany, born July 1, 1850. Peter and Mary Ley, his parents, came to America in 1852, and after a residence of three years in Illinois came to Glasgow, this county. Here Mrs. Ley died February 24, 1856, and the father afterward married Catharine Fisch, under whose care our subject was brought up. He attended school a very little after he was eleven years of age, and assisted his father on the farm. The latter now resides at Brownsville, Houston county this state. In 1871 Joseph Ley and Eliza Shearts were united in marriage. Mrs. Ley is a native of Bohemia, and of about the same age as her husband. Their children were christened Mary, Frank, Joseph, John, Peter and Bertha. In 1871 Mr. Ley purchased a farm of eighty acres in the town of Pepin, which he tilled till 1877. He then sold and bought his present farm, embracing one-fourth of section 18. All are communicants in highland Catholic church. Mr. Ley affiliates with the democratic party in politics.