MOODY, John C.
John C. MOODY, for thirty-six years a
resident of Henry, Illinois, is well and favorably known
throughout Marshall and Putnam counties. He is a native of
Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, born June 17, 1826, and is a son of Joseph
and Jane (QUIGLEY) MOODY, both of whom were also natives of
Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, the father
being, however, of Scotch-Irish descent. Robert MOODY, the
grandfather of our subject, was born in
County Derry, Ireland, and when eighteen years of age left his
native land and settled in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where he married and reared a
family. He came to
America
prior to the Revolutionary war, and during that struggle for a
time serve his adopted country in the military service. His
death occurred in Dauphin county some time in the forties at an
advanced age.
By occupation, Joseph MOODY was a farmer,
and continued as such until his death. His wife dying in 1836,
two year later he left Pennsylvania
and with his family first went to Warren
county, Ohio, where he remained
but a very short time, and then located in Miami county, that state. In 1841, he, too,
was called away. For years he was a consistent and devoted
member of the Presbyterian church, of which body his wife was
also a member. Both died in the blessed hope of an unending life
beyond the grave.
Our subject was twelve years of age when he
accompanied his father to
Ohio. He remained at home until his
parent’s death, when he went to live with an older brother, then
married and residing on a farm about five miles from Covington,
Ohio. It had been his aim to take a course in Miami university and he had shaped his studies
in the common schools to that end. The death of the father
compelled him to abandon the idea of a collegiate education,
much to his regret.
After remaining with his brother, assisting
in the farm work for three years, in 1844, Mr. MOODY left the
farm, went to Covington
and entered upon a three years’ apprenticeship to learn the
trade of a harness and saddle maker. On completing his term of
service he took the most important step of his life, and on the
28the day of September, 1847, was united in marriage with Miss
Rachel S. ORR, of Covington, Ohio, but born near Dayton, that
state, and a daughter of Joshua and Anna ORR, the former a
native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, both now
deceased. By this union nine children were born, six of whom are
now living: Joseph G., who for some years was engaged in mining,
but is now clerking in the store of his brother at Santa Rosa,
California; Nathan W., who for twelve years was postmaster of
Fresno, California, but is now county collector of taxes of
Fresno county, that state; Robert Clarence, a boot and shoe
dealer of Santa Rosa, California; John Thomas, foreman of a
large vineyard in Fresno county, California; William, a
commercial traveler, and Anna Jane, widow of E. B. EMERICK, and
the housekeeper for her father. The deceased are Charles Rollin,
Martha Elizabeth and Emma Frances.
Soon after his marriage Mr. MOODY moved to
Fletcher, Ohio,
where he was engaged in the harness and saddlery trade for six
years. Constant confinement at the bench injured his health
somewhat and he sold out and for a time engaged in other work of
not such a confining nature. In 1860, however, he came to
Henry, Illinois, and for twenty-one years was
foreman in the harness shop of Louis SNYDER. Withdrawing from
that shop, at the expiration of that time, he commenced work for
himself, and has since continued in the harness trade. His work
has always been of the best quality. Learning his trade in its
entirety, he has always prided himself on his work and in giving
satisfaction to his patrons.
For many years Mrs. MOODY was an invalid,
and while everything was done to alleviate her suffering and
restore her to health, yet death claimed her and the summons was
answered April 16, 1880. She was a consistent Christian woman, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, but on
account of the state of her health could not take that active
part which she so earnestly desired. She always rejoiced in the
victories of the church and manifested every interest possible.
Her body now lies at rest in the beautiful cemetery at Henry,
there to wait the blessed resurrection day, when, joined by the
loved ones gone before and those who yet remain, she will sing
the songs of the Lamb, world without end.
Mr. MOODY was converted at the age of
nineteen years, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church,
and has ever since been an active and useful member. For many
years he has served as steward and is now class-leader, and for
nine years was superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday
school at Henry. In the Sunday school work he has always been an
efficient worker and now has charge of an adult Bible class. He
was made a Master Mason in
Ohio, and was past master when he came
to Henry. His membership is now with the Henry lodge. All in
all, Mr. MOODY is well entitled to a place in the biographical
record of Marshall
county.
Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
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