From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 604.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 595.

John B. Moses was but five years of age when his father died and as he was the eldest of the three children the cares and responsibilities of the farm early fell upon his shoulders. He was permitted to obtain a good education, nevertheless, for after he completed the required work of the district schools he went to Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, remaining there three years. He then returned to the home farm, which he assisted his mother in conducting until he was twenty-four years of age, when he started in life for himself. He acquired first a small tract of land in Scotch Grove township. On this he lived and worked for about ten years and then removed to another farm in that township, which remained his home until the spring of 1907, when he removed to his present farm in Madison township, lying just on the outskirts of Center Junction. He still retains possession of his two other tracts, those in Scotch Grove township, and owns besides extensive tracts in different parts of the county. In addition to his farming interests he has engaged in the breeding and feeding of cattle, and each year sends from five to eight carloads of stock to the large markets. As he gives his whole attention to his work and has never spared an effort toward making his farm and stock the best in the section he has been rewarded with the substantial income and has a reputation that is in itself a large financial asset.

In 1887 Moses wedded Miss Clara S. Hughes, of Scotch Grove township, this county, to them three children have been born: Charles B., John M. and Ethel A., all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Moses are members of the Presbyterian church and the young people are being reared in that faith. Politically Mr. Moses gives his support to the republican party, and while not a politician in the sense of being a seeker for public recognition, in the years he was a resident of Scotch Grove township he served in the various local offices. The Center junction lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows numbers him among its members, and he wears the badge of the Iowa Legion of Honor. A good citizen, a loyal friend and a man who know how to attain that for which he seeks, Mr. Moses enjoys the esteem of all who have come into relation with him.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 446.

Merritt Morgan Mott came to Iowa a few years before his parents, and established himself in the town of Fairview in 1862. There he followed the blacksmiths' trade, which he had learned in the east, but, being of an artistic temperament, gave it up to pursue the photographic art, which was at that time just beginning to come into the prominence it enjoys at present. As progress has been made in the business he has advanced until he is now able to produce work which may well stand beside that turned out in other and larger cities. His success is in part due to the fact that he is his own most severe critic, for with the true instinct of an artist he is satisfied with the best only. On many an occasion, it is related of him, he has refused to let work leave his shop because it did not satisfy his exacting taste, although his customer found in it nothing to criticize.

Endowed with a keen love of art, and a discrimination in the choice and posing of subjects, he has won a success that equals that attained by prominent men in other parts of the country. His reputation as well as the long period of his residence here, amounting to more than forty-seven years, entitle him to the fair name he enjoys as a workman and the respect in which he is held by all those who have come in contact with him, for a high code of honor has guided him in his business dealings as a high grade of achievements in his art has been his ambition.

In 1863, Mr. Mott wedded Miss Elizabeth Cromwell, who was descended from a branch of the family to which the Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell, belonged. Two children were born of this marriage: Catherine, who became the wife of William Richardson; and Wallace A., who married Miss Katie Coon and resides in Hale township. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Mott married Miss Amelia Taylor, a daughter of John and Jane Taylor, both natives of the state of New York. Two of the children born of this marriage now survive, John and Mamie. The latter became the wife of Gustus Wilson, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and they have two children. Mrs. Amelia Mott has also passed away.

Since his young manhood Mr. Mott has consistently voted the democratic ticket, as he has believed in the value of the doctrines advocated in its platform. He has for a number of years been connected fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being now an honorable member of the local lodge.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 431.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 676.