A Des Moines County History
Samuel Nelson Moyers
Among the pioneer settlers of Des Moines county, Iowa of 1839 we are pleased to record the name of Mr. Moyers, who was born in Greene County, Illinois, January 31, 1827, and is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Rogers) Moyers. The father, who was of German descent, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania in 1797, and the mother, who was of Scottish parentage, was a native of Kentucky. In 1804 when only nine years of age, Jacob Moyers went with his brother and sister to Cincinnati, Ohio, in which vicinity he worked as a farm hand until 1826. He was married in 1818 to Sarah Rogers, who was born March 16, 1802. Eight years later the young couple emigrated to Greene County, Illinois, where the husband purchased eighty acres of raw land, which he greatly improved during his residence there. Again taking up the march of westward progress, in 1839 the family came to Des Moines County, locating in Burlington Township, where Mr. Moyers purchased 160 acres of land, and there lived until his death, which occurred June 13, 1863. His wife survived him for four years, when she too was summoned to the unknown world, her death occurring September 16, 1867. They were both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War. This worthy couple reared a family of nine children: Eliza Ann, wife of J. Lacons of Carrollton, Ill.; Joel who died at the age of eighteen years; John W. who was fifteen years of age at the time of his death; Samuel,our subject; Andrew Jackson died March 30, 1862, at the age of thirty-two years; Susan Jane, wife of James Rexroat of Macomb, Ill.; George W. a resident of Des Moines County, Iowa; B. Franklin who is now residing in Southwestern Missouri; and J. Josiah, living now in Illinois.
Coming to Des Moines County in 1839, Mr. Moyers has witnessed its transformation from a wild uninhabited region to one of the finest counties in the grand state of Iowa. He was married August 6, 1846 to Lucinda H. Deen, a native of Lewis County, West Virginia, born June 15, 1824, and a daughter of Jacob and Judy (Cox) Deen, the father a native of Rockingham County, Virginia, the mother of Pendleton County, Virginia. Her parents came to Des Moines County in November, 1844, settling in Benton Township, where the father died in 1866, at the age of sixty years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife still resides in Benton township at the advanced age of ninety-two.
The young couple began their domestic life on a rented farm in Benton township,and two years later, by economical living, were enabled to purchase fifty-seven acres of land on section 13 of Benton Township. By untiring zeal and good management more land was added, until they were the possessors of 120 acres, all under cultivation. Upon the original fifty-seven acres there were no improvements except a small cabin, but when the farm was sold there was 110 acres of rich cultivated land, a handsome two-story residence, which was erected at a cost of $2,500, and a barn 20x20 feet, costing $800, and another barn 36x48 feet, the cost of which was $1,000. After selling his property in 1884, Mr. Moyers purchased seven acres of land and eight lots in Mediapolis, also becoming the owner of a handsome two-story residence worth $3,000. All difficulties of early life were overcome, all trials surmounted by the untiring zeal and industry of Mr. Moyers and his good wife. Their labor was successful, and they now have a comfortable competence, by which they are enabled to pass their declining years in retirement from all active work. They are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moyers is a Democrat in politics, though endorsing the principles advocated by the Union Labor party, and has held the office of Township Trustee.
The worthy couple have had four children ; George W. is a farmer of Louisa County, Iowa; Sarah, deceased wife of James Larkin of Franklin Township, Des Moines County, Iowa; and Jacob N., now residing in Oskaloosa.
Pearl Alfred Moyers
The fact that many of her native sons have retained their residence in Des Moines county after attaining adult age, is proof of the attractiveness of this section of the State, and of the advantages, natural and otherwise, which it offers to its citizens. Mr. Moyers has always lived here, his birth having occurred in Franklin Township, December 12, 1875. His parents were George W. and Rebecca (Pence) Moyers. During the boyhood days of their son they removed to Kansas, where he attended the district schools for four years, and later was a student in the district schools of Louisa county. He also attended school in the Yellow Springs township, and was reared to farm life, his father following agriculture pursuits. He, too, was born in Des Moines county, and is now living in Louisa county. He trained his son in the practical work of the farm, so that he became familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and throughout his entire life he has continued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits.In 1899 he purchased his present farm from Richard Orr, becoming owner of ninety-five acres situated on Section 2, Yellow Springs township.It is a well improved property, and Mr. Moyers is continually laboring to make the land more productive and his farm of greater value.He has laid some tiling, has erected some sheds, has dug a well, and now has a good wind-pump. In addition to the tilling of the soil he raises stock, and now has upon his place twelve head of cattle,six or eight hogs, six horses, and two colts.
On March 6, 1898 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Moyers and Miss Jessie M. Swan, a daughter of George L. and Jennie (Gregory) Swan. Mrs. Walker was born in Louisa county, Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Earl, Lloyd and Lottie, whose presence adds much to the real home life. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and are well known in this part of the state, where they have long resided. There have been no exciting chapters in the history of Mr. Moyers, but he is a man who is found true to his duties of public and private life, and in all trade transactions is reliable and enterprising.The success that he has achieved is due to his own efforts, and he is now accounted one of the substantial young farmers of Yellow Springs township. |