George W. Moody

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, 1902
published by Western Historical Publishing Company

GEORGE W. MOODY, Civil War Veteran

The parents of our subject, Michael and Mary (Mercer) Moody, were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively, and in 1842 the removed to Missouri, where their home was until the time of their death. At the beginning of the war, our subject enlised in Company A, Fifty-ninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and did faithful service there for ninety days, when he was discharged, being disabled by rheumatism. In 1863 he fitted up ox teams and crossed the plains settling first in the Burnt river valley, for one year, and then removed to Auburn, where he was engaged in mining for six years. Following this period he repaired to Eagle valley and took land on Sage Brush flat, September 16, 1874, being the date of his settlement. In this place we find him at the present time engaged in farming and stockraising, having wrought for himself a marked success, for his holdings amount to eight hundred acres of fine land besides a great many head of thoroughbred Short Horn cattle and much other stock, in addition to the improvements of value upon his estate. He is also superintendent of three irrigating companies, where he does excellent service. He is a man that has always taken an active interest in the affairs of state and is always on hand at the conventions and primaries, displaying the part of a good citizen that is interested in the welfare of his county. He has been chosen as a delegate to every convention of the county since he has resided in his present place.

The marriage of Mr. Moody to Miss Auphenia, daughter of Peter and Mary (Knowles) Grier, was solemnized in 1860, and they have become the parents of the following children: Otis C., died when he ws an infant; Lottie, died in 1880; Willard, married; Henry, married; George M.; Laura, wife of Mr. W. N. Young; Fannie, wife of Mr. William Cole. Mrs. Moody died in 1880, beloved and mourned by all.

Mr. Moody contracted a second marriage and the lady that became his wife was Polly Young, daughter of Mitchell and Rosa (Daniels) Young.

Our subject is one of the leading men of his vicinity and of the county and has always so demeaned himself that he has won the esteem and confidence of all who may have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

His is doubleless the finest place in the valley and his elegant residence is equal to any in the county. He manages his estate with wisdom, and neatness and thrift are manifested in every detail. It is of note that during the Indian war of 1878, the settlers made his yard a stockdale and Mr. Moody volunteeered to go to Union after night to obtain arms. He was able to secure ten guns and some ammunition only by giving a bond for one thousand dollars. The items that Mr. Moody gives in refernece to the value of real estate in the valley are highly interesting. Land that to-day is bringing on the market seventy-five dollars per acre, could be bought in 1874 for as many cents per acre and a common cayuse could easily be traded for forty acres. Then the best crops were eighteen bushels of oats per acre and the same land now under irrigation produces one hundred bushels annually.

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