|
|
ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
|
Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy |
Biographies
Source:
Past and Present of Piatt County, Illinois
together with biographical sketches of many
prominent and influential citizens.
Publ.:
Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1903
|
 |
R.
B. Moody, In an analyzation of the life record of
R. B. Moody we find that he has well earned and
justly deserves the proud American title of a self-made man.
He is now engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile in DeLand,
and is one of the substantial citizens of this locality who started
out in life for himself in a very humble capacity, receiving only
six and a quarter cents per day his services. His history
conclusively what may be accomplished through strong purpose,
unabating diligence and unfaltering perseverance, and such a record
should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
Mr. Moody came to Illinois from Ohio. A
number of the substantial citizens of this portion of the state are
natives of Ohio, and Mr. Moody's birth occurred in
Mahoning county about five miles from the city of Youngstown, on the
30th of June, 1837. His parents, John and Martha
(Hahn) Moody, were also natives of Ohio, and in their
family were eight children, of whom the subject of this review
is the third in order of birth.
In the
common schools R. B. Moody acquired his education,
but his privileges were somewhat limited, as the family was in
limited financial circumstances, and it was necessary that he should
aid in his own support. When he was very young he began
driving a yoke of oxen to a plow, receiving six and a quarter cents
per day for his labor, or the munificent salary of a quarter for
four days' work. When fifteen years of age he was given only
four dollars and a half per mouth, his duties being to milk fifteen
cows night and morning and work in the fields the balance of the
time. His youth was largely a period of toil, and his entire
life has been one of unusual activity, which, however, has been
crowned with a high degree of success.
He arrived in the west in 1855, locating in DeWitt county, Illinois,
east of Wapello. There he began working as a farm hand,
receiving seventeen dollars per month, and in this way he saved some
money. When he had secured sufficient capital he began farming
for himself, purchasing one hundred and twenty acres of land. In
April, 1861, however, he put aside all business and personal
consideration in order that he might aid his country in her struggle
to preserve the Union. He had been an interested witness of
the progress of events which led up to the Civil war, had noted the
threatening attitude of the south, and resolved that if an attempt
was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its
defense. He, therefore, enlisted, April 20, 1861, as a member
of Company E, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel C.
C. Marsh, and was attached to the Seventeenth Army
Corps under General Grant. Going to the front, he participated
in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh
and others. He was wounded at the last named battle, and
during the remainder of his time in the army served on detached
duty, continuing with the Union troops, however, until the war
closed. From 1864 until 1865 he worked for the government on
special duty, and among all the soldiers who wore the blue uniform
of the nation, none were more faithful to the old flag and the cause
it represented. After the close of hostilities and his aid was
no longer needed, Mr. Moody returned to DeWitt
county, Illinois, where he began farming, there making his home
until after his marriage.
On the 4th of
March, 1858, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Rumina
Hassinger, of Ohio. The young couple removed to
Sangamon township, Piatt county, where Mr. Moody
carried on general farming until 1869, at which time they took up
their abode in Goose Creek township, there living until 1873.
In that year, in company with John Vail, Mr. Moody
erected a store building, which was the first built in DeLand.
For two years he engaged in merchandising there, and for some time
followed the carpenter's trade in that place. He then built an
elevator and was engaged in the grain business for fifteen years,
during which time he annually handled many thousands of bushels of
grain, carrying on a business that was of benefit to the locality,
as well as a source of income to himself, for it furnished a market
to the producers. In 1889, Mr. Moody sold out
to the firm of Tyler & Company, of Chicago.
In the meantime he had become interested in other business
enterprises of this locality, having in 1885 purchased a third
interest in the tile factory. In 1887 he purchased another
third interest, and in 1889, after closing out his grain business,
He became sole proprietor, and his since engaged in the manufacture
of brick and tile. He has a plant that is well equipped with
the latest improved machinery, and the product of his factory is of
such excellent quality that he finds for it a ready sale on the
market. His identification with business interests also
extends to the financial affairs of the county, for he is a
stockholder in the First National Bank of DeLand.
Mr. and Mrs. Moody have had no children of their own, but have
displayed great kindness of heart and sympathetic natures by rearing
eight children. These are James W. Moody, now of DeLand; D. B.
Troxell, who is now postmaster of DeLand; Rumina Troxell, who died
when twenty-four years of age; Bruce Clemons, who resides near Fort
Madison, Iowa; Pearl Clemons, the wife of L. C. Dick, a resident of
Port Arthur, Texas; Grace Jones, who died at the age of ten years;
Eva Moody,, whose name was Eda Carroll, and who lived in Chicago,
but for a number of years has resided with her foster-parents and is
now attending school in DeLand; and Lawrence Dawson, who is also
with our subject and his wife.
The
worthy couple are consistent, loyal and active members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and their Christianity is certainly shown
in their land and generous treatment of the little ones whom they
have brought to their home and cared for, preparing them for life's
practical and responsible duties. Mr. Moody has served as
recording steward of his church for a number of years, is most
generous in his contribution to its support and is active in the
various departments of the church work. Fraternally, he is
connected with DeLand Lodge, No. 812, F. & A. M.; Chapter No. 48, R.
A. M.; and Urbana Commandery, No. 16, K. T. He is past master
of the lodge here and is recognized as one of the exemplary
representatives of the craft. In politics he has always been a
stalwart Republican, and his close study of the political issues has
made his knowledge concerning politics broad, thorough and
comprehensive. He has served continually since 1876, except
four years, as justice of the peace, and has been school treasurer
since 1875. His loyalty in citizenship, his honesty in
business and his trustworthiness in private life stand as
unquestioned facts in his career, making him one of the most honored
and esteemed men connected with agricultural, industrial and
fianancial interests, as well as public affairs in Piatt county.
~ Page 417 |
|
|
NOTES:
* Picture
|