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Note: 1887: ANSON MOORE was among the pioneers of Washington County and located land here in 1840. He was born in Hartford County, Conn., Dec. 23, 1906. His father was Joseph Moore, who was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting when he was sixteen years old. His mother's maiden name was Alcinda Adams, and both were native of Connecticut. In 1818 this couple sought fairer field in the then distant West, and settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, where, with the assistance of his sons, and after years of hard labor, the elder Moore succeeded in clearing up a home in the wilderness. He and his wife, who had lived together more than half a century, were the parents of eleven children, of whom but two are now living, namely: Pluma, the widow of Milton Walters, who resides in Ohio, and Anson, the subject of this biographical notice. In his youth Anson acquired a fair education. In 1830 he was married to Lucia Meacham, born in Trumbull County in 1809. A few years later he determined to join the tide of emigration flocking West, and in 1840 came to Washington County to locate a home. Having done so he returned East, and the following spring brought his family to his location, adjoining Brighton on the West. Here he found ample employment at his trade of carpenter and joiner, putting up many of the best buildings in the village and surrounding county, and at the same time running a small farm. Mr. Moore was an old-line Whig, and naturally became a Republican on the organization of that party. For two years before leaving Ohio he was a Justice of the Peace, resigning when he left. Soon after coming here he was elected to the same position, which he has filled continuously ever since, with the exception of one year when he refused to act, and is today one of the oldest Justices in the State, having served for forty-seven years. He is well read and thoroughly posted in public affairs. Of Mr. and Mrs. Moore's children the following are now living: Orlis, Charlotte, Abigail, Janet, Laura, Celia and Eliza. The mother of this family died April 23, 1885, sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives, to whom her gentleness and kindness of heart had greatly endeared her. Mr. Moore, though past fourscore, is yet hale and hearty, and it is hoped by his many friends that he may be spared for years to come. His long life in this county has never been marred by a stain on his character, and no resident of the county stands higher in it than Anson Moore. Brighton Papers (about 1940) The following articles about her grandfather and father were handed to us by Miss Harriett Prizer, who had written them some time ago: Anson Moore: My grandfather Anson Moore was born in Sanford Connecticut on December 28, 1806. He came to Trumball County, Ohio at the age of 12 years with his parents, and he remained there until the spring of 1839 or 1840, when he settled in Brighton, Iowa where he entered his land from the government in 1843. While here he carried on the carpenter trade. He quit the carpenter trade in 1860 and went into the produce trade. He held the office of Justice of the Peace one term, he also held the same office in Ohio for two years. He at one time held the office of Justice of the Peace longer than any other man in the state of Iowa. He was mayor of Brighton for three terms. He was one of the oldest settlers of Washington County. His devoted wife was Lucia Meacham of Ohio. He was the father of 12 children, 10 dead and 2 living, Mrs. Celia M. Currier of Independence, Iowa, and Mrs. Eliza M. Wheelock of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is blind. Grandfather used to tell us about his life and trip from Connecticut at 12 years of age and also his trip from Ohio to Iowa when a young man. My grandfather had hard times in traveling from his native state at the age of 12 years to Trumball County, Ohio. When he was a young man he came down on the Ohio River to Keokuk and came up to Burlington on the Mississippi River. When he came to Brighton by wagon in the spring of 1840 he met Indians who were friendly with his wife and children.
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