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1907 Past and Present Biographies
Robert J. MoyleIts owner, a progressive, enterprising citizen, was born in London, England, in 1858, and in his boyhood days was brought to America by his father, Robert J. Moyle, Sr., the family settling in Wisconsin, where the father, who was a veterinary surgeon, engaged in the practice of his profession and also followed the occupation of farming. He died about the year 1899, at the age of seventy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Lawrence, was also a native of England, and they were the parents of seven children, six of whom are yet living. She died about 1861. Robert J. Moyle, whose name introduces this review, spent his early youth in Wisconsin and removed to this state from Livingston county, Illinois. During the three succeeding years be operated the William Longman farm, after which he judiciously invested his capital in ninety-two acres of land on section 3, Willow township, which he purchased of Ben Loomis in 1887. The sod had been broken but none of the present fine buildings were then upon the place, and with characteristic energy Mr. Moyle began the further development and improvement of the property. In addition to cultivating the fields, which year by year have brought forth rich crops, he built a barn, fifty-four by fifty-six feet, for the shelter of his horses in 1901 and a cattle barn, sixty by eighty-four feet. He has also put up cribs and has added the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the place. He has likewise set out an orchard containing many fine varieties of fruit trees which are now in good bearing and the shade trees which he has planted constitute an attractive grove around his home. In 1889 he erected his present commodious and beautiful residence, containing twenty rooms and all modern conveniences. It is built in pleasing style of architecture, is cunvenient in arrangement, is well finished and tastefully furnished. Moreover, he has tiled his land and his modern system of drainage has added to the productiveness of the soil. As his farm work brought him increased financial resources he added to his property, purchasing eighty acres on section 34, Scranton township, from B. F. Jacques. He has his farm well improved in every particular, it being enclosed with woven wire fence, and he has always been a good stock-raiser and large feeder. He also raises and buys horses and his stock-raising interests are an important branch of his business. In addition to his property in this county he has one hundred and twenty acres in Wisconsin. In 1885 Mr. Moyle was united in marriage to Miss Kate Armstrong, the wedding being celebrated in Bayard, Iowa. The lady was born in Stark county, Illinois. a daughter of James Armstrong, who removed from Illinois to Carroll county, Iowa, at an early day. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and served as captain of Company I, Twelfth Iowa Volunteers. Mrs. Moyle was largely reared in Iowa and acquired her education in the public schools. She was a lady of many good traits of heart and mind and to her family was a devoted wife and mother so that her death was deeply deplored in her own household and throughout the community when, in 1891, she was called to her final rest. She left three children, two sons and a daughter - William Elmer, Fred Lynn and Grace Rebecca. Mr. Moyle is a stalwart republican, interested in the political progress of the country and desirous of good government, but he has never sought or desired public office for himself. He belongs to the United Brethren church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles. Wherever known he is greatly esteemed and during the twenty-three years of his residence in this county he has won the high regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. |
Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead," by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver, Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.  Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer |