Moon, Jacob

MOON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:58:17

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.843

JACOB MOON
Jacob Moon residing on his two hundred acre farm in section 34, Otter Township, is now enjoying the reward of a life. of thrift and industry in his retirement from active duty with an assured income that more than exceeds his present wants, and at the same time has the satisfaction of seeing the children who have grown up under his fatherly care and guidance nicely set­tled in life, in happy homes of their own.
Jacob Moon was born in Allegheny County, Maryland, on December 15, 1830, the son of George and Hannah Kirk Moon. His father was a boot and shoe maker by trade, and also operated a small farm. In politics he was an old line Whig. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. The parents removed from Maryland to Preston County, West Virginia, where the mother died at the age of about seventy. The father passed away in 1888 at the age of nearly ninety years. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom but three are now living, namely: Jacob, of this review; Lizzie, the wife of E. J. Cox, of Barbour County, West Virginia; and George W., who lives in Preston County, West Virginia. George W. served in the Union army, as did one other brother, who died in April, 1907.
Jacob Moon passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Preston County, West Virginia, where he attended the subscription schools of that period. Books were few and of primitive style. He aided his father in the conduct of the farm until, at the age of nineteen, he started out in life for himself. The construction work of the Cumberland & Ohio Railroad, which was then in the process of building, afforded him remunerative employment, where he held a position with the mason contractor, as well as in other parts of the work. This being completed he was employed as a farm hand and helped float barges of timber down the Ohio River. He eventually bought a small farm in Monongalia County, West Virginia, where he was married, and later sold out and came to Iowa. He worked at the mason's trade in Clayton County until he accumulated his first thousand dollars, and then came to Warren County, where he has been very successful in stock-dealing, buying and raising cattle, also feeding cattle and hogs, and dealing in horses, besides engaging in gen­eral farming. The profits of his business he invested largely in Warren County land, at one time owning about five hundred acres, but he has since sold con­siderable of this and with the proceeds of its sale has aided his children in getting established.
In October, 1856, was celebrated the marriage of Jacob Moon and Miss Frances E. Dunn, who was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, May 11, 1839, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Ann (Shelf) Dunn. Mr and Mrs. Dunn were born and reared in that county, where the father engaged in farming. He died in 1907 at the age of ninety-three years, the mother having passed away some years before. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moon have been born seven children, as follows: Wilbert, born December 6, 1857, married Miss Sallie Jane Bales, in Nebraska, and resides on the north half of section 34, Otter Township, where he operates eighty acres of land belonging to his father. They have five children, namely: Edna, Ransell, Paul, Floyd Hooper, Beulah and Lena. Calvin was born December 5, 1858, and died at the age of eighteen months. Omer J. was born April 24, 1860. On April 5, 1888, he married Miss Bertha E. Turner, by whom he has one child, Rolla. He is en­gaged in farming in Payne County, Oklahoma. Mary Ellen was born October 11, 1862. On the 24th of March, 1887, she became the wife of Francis M. Fetters, a farmer residing on section 3, Liberty Township, and they have two children, Bert and Lulu May. Solomon Dallas, born April 29, 1865, conducts a farm in Liberty Township. He was married on February 22, 1889, to Miss Mary M. Hess, and they have four children, Pearl, Carl, Ray and Clyde. Elizabeth H. was born November 5, 1868. On January 17, 1889, she became the wife of Douglas C. Hess, a farmer residing on section 36, Otter Township, and they have had three children: Meldy, deceased; Alma, living, and their first­born died in infancy. James W., born May 13, 1874, married Miss Clara Bales, daughter of Nathan Bales, and has two children, Iva and Gladys.
Mr. Moon is liberal in his religious views. For twenty-five years he was active in Masonic circles, though for some years now he has not been able to attend their meetings. In politics he is a Republican, though part of the family are Democrats. He has never sought nor desired public office.