Thomas J. Moulton, Jr.

MOULTON, COLEMAN, OATMAN, DICKENSON, ADAMS, HENDERSON

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 7/12/2006 at 00:24:40

Thomas J. Moulton

On section 31, South Fork Township, lies a farm whose fertility, high state of cultivation, and many valuable improvements constitute it one of the finest estates in this section of Jackson County. The owner therof, the subject of this biography, [illegible]-liant, capable manhood, and in its management since it came into his possession has evinced rare judgement and skill, and has placed himself among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of this township. He is a son of a worthy pioneer of this county, and being scarcely three years of age when his parents brought him to their new home on the wild, sparsely settled prairies of Iowa, then a territory, he has grown up with the county from its primitive condition, and since he was old enough has assisted in its development.

Thomas J. Moulton, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in New Hampshire, in the town of Lyman. His father, William Moulton, likewise a native of the Granite State, moved from there to St. Lawrence County, N.Y., of which he thus became a pioneer, going there before thw War of 1812. He bought a tract of heavily timbered land, from which he cleared a farm, which remained his home until death called him hence. The maiden name of his wife was Betsy Dickenson, and she was also a native of New Hampshire. After the death of the grandfather of our subject, she married a second time becoming the wife of Samuel Oatman. Coming to Iowa about 1850, she was a resident of Jackson County until her death, spending her last years with a grandson in South Fork Township.

The father of our subject was young when his parents removed to New York; there the remainder of his boyhood and youth was passed. He was married in Essex County, that state, to Miss Lucena Adams who was born in Grafton, Vt., June 2, 1806. He continued his residence in that county a few years and then returned to St. Lawrence County, where he bought a tract of land in the town of Stockholm and resided there until 1844. In that year, he sold his property and in the fall started westward with his family. They spent the winter in Ohio, and in the spring of the following year took up the onward march for the territory of Iowa, arriving in Jackson County after several weeks travel, the journey having been made with teams, and they camped and cooked by the wayside at night. Mr. Moulton bought a claim to 160 acres of land on section 31, South Fork Township, and entered it from the Government at the land office at Dubuque. He afterwards sold eighty acres of it to his eldest son, and retaining the remainder, he immediately began its improvement, the family moving into the log cabin that stood on the place at the time of the purchase. The country round about had been developed but very little from its primitive condition and was but sparcely inhabited, the few log cabins of the early settlers here and there being the only signs of civilization. Deer and other wild animals roamed at will all over the broad, undulating prairies, and formed a welcome addition to the scanty larder of the pioneer. Mr. Moulton's life was not spared to complete the many improvements that he had contemplated, but it was prematurely ended in July, 1850. His death was not only a sad loss to the inmates of his household, who mourned the departure of a kind husband and a loving father, but it was felt to be a blow to the interests of the little community, where as a sensible man, of sound views and incorruptible principles, he was respected sincerely by his neighbors and friends. His estimable wife still resides on the old homestead, a welcome and venerated inmate of her son's home. There were eleven children born of the marriage of that worthy couple, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, William, Eli, Adeline, Perry, Albert, Thomas J., and Lovina.

The subject of this sketch was born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., April 3, 1842, and as before mentioned was but a child when he accompanied his parents to their pioneer home on these prairies. He was but eight years old when his father died, and at the youthful age of fifteen he took charge of the home farm, self-reliance and independence having been early developed within him, and he managed it successfully from the start. The homestead has since come into his possession, and so much has he been prospered in his calling that in 1883 he was enabled to buy eighty acres of rich farming land adjoining. He has his land under excellent cultivation and has erected a fine set of farm buildings that are well-appointed and conveniently arranged. He engages in mixed husbandry, paying particular attention to raising stock of high grades, having his farm well-stocked.

To the lady who presides over his cosy [sic], comfortable home, and makes it attractive alike to its inmates and to the friend or stranger that happens beneath its hospitable roof, our subject was united in marriage in 1869. Their happy home circle is completed by the presence of the six children born unto them, namely: Ida, John, Horace, Mark, Lucina, and Vernie. Mrs. Moulton's maiden name was Lovina Coleman, and she is a native of Canada, being born Jan. 22, 1852 to John and Phebe (Henderson) Coleman, natives of Ireland and Canada respectively.

Mr. Moulton is a man of sagacity, foresight, and energy, which traits are combined with upright principles, so that he is trusted and respected by the whole community, where his career has been watched from childhood by his elders, and his is accounted one of our best citizens.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa
1889
Chapman Bros. of Chicago, IL