William Moore

As printed in 1887

WILLIAM MOORE, residing on section 33, Washington Township, is well known to almost every citizen. Since a boy he has been known as Uncle Bill- Moore. He is now one of the oldest living settlers of Washington County. He was born in Putnam County, Ind., Aug. 27, 1826, and when but ten years of age came with his parents to this county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of two years spent in Henry County, Iowa. The educational advantages enjoyed by him were very meagre indeed. In the early days there was no free school, and as settlements in a new country were few and far between, and but few scholars could be gathered together in any neighborhood, it may well be understood that first-class teachers could not usually be employed. A subscription was usually started, and as much as possible raised for the employment of a teacher, and in these subscription schools, as they were known, he obtained the rudiments of an English education. Shortly after coming to this county his mother gave n)her kitchen for school purposes, and in his father's house was taught the first term of school in Washington Township, Tohn Embrey being the first teacher, and receiving >il() i)er month. In tills new country William.Moore grew to maMliood. and in 18.53 was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia A. Tiiompson, a native of Putnam County, Ind., born in 1834. She w.as left an orphan at a very early age. By this union there are ten children: Richard F., of Washington; Martha A., the wife of Ezra Eckerman,of.Saunders County, Neb.; James L., of this county; Charles G., Ret)ecca E., Jlary.1., Margaret A.; Arab Almira died in the spring of 1885, of consumption, at the age of fifteen years; Jesse T. and Dolly Belle, at home. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moore united with the Christian Church, and of the congregation in the township of Marion, Mr. Moore has now been an Elder for thirty years. In the work of the (Jhurch he has always taken a special delight, and h.as given much of his time and means for the advancement of the cause. He is enthusiastic in the work, and is well posted in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament. He is ever ready to give a reason for the faith that is in him. It can truly be said of Mr. Moore that he has been an eye witness and participant in all the changes that have occurred in transforming the wilderness into a fertile country, which now "blossoms as the rose." It ij a pleasure to him to recall pioneer days, and in all pioneer gatherings he is the center of a group of friends. Like his father before him, he is hospitable in the extreme, and takes great delight in entertaining his friends.

ellARLES MILLER resides upon section 4, Marion Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Susquehanna County, Pa., born in 1814, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ireland. When Charles was seven years old his father moved to Wayne County, (Jhio, and there cleared a farm In the heavy timber. As soon as old enough he was required to.assist his father in the cultivation of the soil.

Wiieii nineteen years of age our subject went to Pltlslmrgh, Pa., where he commenced to learn the harness trade, but remained only one year, going from there to a brother residing in Franklin County, Pa., and then returning linie, where he remained till twenty-five years of age. He then went to Henderson County, Ky., where he was four or five years engaged in working on the locks in Oreen River. From Henderson County he went to Warren County, Kj where he helped construct a lock on Barren River, near Bowling Green, and was there some three years. Again returning to Wayne County, Ohio, he remained till 1856, employed principally in teaming and as a day laborer.

In the latter-named year JNIr. Miller came to Washington County, making the entire trip with teams, and during the summer folhjwing was engaged in the butchering business at Washington. In the fall of 1 85G he settled on section 4, Marion Township, where he purchased eighty acres of partially improved laud. Here he still lives, and is now the owner of 213 acres of land, all of which is under fence, and in a high state of cultivation. On the Ifith of October, 18(jl. he married Charlotte Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania. Three children were born to them — Benjamin F., Charles W. and Joseph A. Mrs. Miller died Feb. 21, 18G8.

The bo'hood and youth of Mr. Miller were spent under great disadvantages, he never having bad an opportunity of attending school, and until thirty'-five j'ears of age could neither read nor write. He then learned to do both, and since that time, by reading and observation, has acquired a considerable fund of information, and is able to express himself intelligently ui)on almost every subject, (going out into the world without a dollar, by hard work and rigid economy, he has acquired sufHcieut of this world's goods to render him comfortable through life. In politics, he is liberal, voting for such men as he thinks qualified for the office to which they aspire. Religious!y, he advocates the doctrines of the Christian Church, and is a member of that body.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Washington County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.