John Quincy Moore's life until he had reached manhood was not unlike, save in detail, that of the majority of boys of that period. He attended the sessions of the district school held in the little log schoolhouse, which was in every respect similar to those which served as the educational centers of the various communities of that day. At the usual age he laid aside his text-books, feeling he had acquired sufficient education to enable him to assume the responsibilities of life, and apprenticed himself to the black-smith's trade, but at the end of his first year he enlisted in Company B, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers Infantry. Twelve months' service at the front, together with the long wearisome marches and hardship and privation incident to war undermined his constitution to such an extent that he was discharged on account of disability.
Returning home Mr. Moore found his father preparing to go west and the son joined him, feeling that better opportunities were afforded him for the pursuance of his trade in a younger community. After reaching Story county he worked at blacksmithing, and for some years followed that trade, running a shop in Iowa Center. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sioux county, where he lived in 1870 and 1871, but in the latter year they were visited by the grasshopper scourge and Mr. Moore returned to Story county and after a few more years' work at the forge he again engaged in farming. In 1908 he left the farm and again became a resident of Iowa Center, engaging in the mercantile business.
In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Webb, of Iowa Center, and two sons were born of this union : George M., now a farmer of Indian Creek township; and Ward H., who lives in Iowa Center. Mrs. Moore passed away in 1894.
Mr. Moore keeps in touch with his army comrades through membership in the James Ewing Post, G. A. R. He is one of the well known men of his district, having made this his home the greater part of the time for the past forty-five years. He owns two farms of eighty acres each and is accounted among the well-to-do citizens of the community
.DAVID K. BUNCE.
David K. Bunce, now living retired in Gilbert, was formerly closely identified with agricultural interests in western Iowa. Persistent effort and well directed energy, however, brought him increasing success year by year, and at length with a comfortable competence as the reward of his labors he retired and now has leisure for the enjoyment of those things which are of most interest to him.
He is a native son of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Carroll county, on the 27th of April, 1845. His parents were James A. and Esther (Lewis) Bunce, natives of New York and Michigan,