MOORMAN, Hon. Thomas - 1890 Bio (1809-1889)

MOORMAN, CANADAY, GRAFTON, JUNKIN, WARWICK, SMITH, SEARLE, GREENWOOD, CAMPBELL, ROBINSON, GRAY, BROOKS, GANIER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/18/2007 at 21:27:22

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 447-448

Hon. Thomas MOORMAN, deceased, an early settler and honored citizen of Jefferson County, was born in Ohio on the 7th of September, 1809, his parents being Charles and Elizabeth MOORMAN. In the county of his nativity he was reared to manhood and learned the trade of manufacturing saddle-trees, which business he followed for some years though he made farming his principal occupation through life.

In Highland County, Ohio, on the 16th of April, 1833, Mr. MOORMAN was united in marriage with Miss Margaret CANADAY, a native of that country, and by their union were born unto them the following children -- Anna E., who was born January 29th, 1834, and is the wife of Parker B. GRAFTON of Polk Township, Jefferson County; Eliza E., born March 9, 1835, became the wife of Matthew JUNKIN and died in September, 1870; Amanda J., born March 13, 1837, is the wife of Wilkins WARWICK, of Kansas; Charles W., born November 2, 1838, was a soldier in the late war, married Etta SMITH and is now living in Black Hawk Township; Albert M., born January 6, 1841, died October 31, 1847; Martha M., born August 4, 1844, is the wife of Dr. Webster SEARLE, of Ottumwa; William T., who was born December 4, 1846, and was also in the late war, married Anna GREENWOOD and lives in Fairfield; Lewis C., born March 2, 1849, died February 6, 1850; Sarah A. born August 19, 1850, is the wife of William CAMPBELL, of Florence, Alabama, and the youngest of the family.

Hearing favorable reports of Iowa and the advantages afforded her early settlers, Mr. MOORMAN determined to make a location within her borders and in 1844, accompanied by his family, settled on a farm in Fairfield Township, Jefferson County. Again beginning life in earnest, his efforts were crowned with success and everything passed along well until 1854, when the wife and mother was called to her final rest, her death occurring on the 22nd of January 1854. Mr. MOORMAN was again married on the 19th of April, 1859, his second union being with Mrs. Leah B. ROBINSON, widow of Dr. Sawyer ROBINSON, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 2, 1826, and is a daughter of Finley M. and Elizabeth (GRAY) BROOKS. Her parents were early settlers of Brookville, in Locust Grove Township, she having accompanied them to the county in 1846. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. MOORMAN, Eva C., who was born July 2, 1863, and became the wife of J. L. GANIER, of Fairfield, her death occurring March 22, 1885.

Mr. MOORMAN continued his farming operations up to the time of his death. As he possessed energy, good management and business ability, he met with success in his undertakings and became owner of a fine farm of three hundred and five acres in Fairfield Township, which has since been divided among the family. In his earlier years, he took an active part in public affairs and was an influential citizen of the community. In the legislative assembly of 1857, and 1858, he served as a member and was also Justice of the Peace for several years. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends but about 1863 joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife has belonged for half a century. Ever faithful to his religious duties, the church suffered a loss at his death and in other good works his absence has also been keenly felt.

The temperance cause found in him one of its strongest supporters and other enterprises for the advancement of the community were sure of his sympathy and co-operation. In his earlier years, in politics he was a Whig but on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. His death occurred March 26, 1889, and was the occasion of deep regret on the part of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mrs. MOORMAN is still living on the old homestead, of which she owns eighty acres, together with ninety acres in Locust Grove Township, the whole yielding her a good income which places her in comfortable circumstances. Like her husband she delights in doing good, her life abounds in deeds of charity and benevolence and her many excellent qualities make her greatly loved.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.