My Genealogy Hound

N. G. Moffitt, a farmer and stock-raiser, owning and operating thirty-three acres of land on section 2, Union township, has also carried on the stone mason’s trade for the past fifteen years. His birth occurred in North Carolina on the 20th of July, 1851, a son of Stansel Moffitt, who brought his family to Union county in 1854, where they have resided ever since.

N. G. Moffitt was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity. He spent his boyhood and youth on the home farm on section 1, Union township, and acquired a common-school education, aiding his father in the work of the fields when not busy with his text-books. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when, on the 4th of March, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Bragg, who was born in Dodge township, Union county, Iowa, a daughter of Louis Bragg, an old soldier, who died while on his way home from the war. After his marriage Mr. Moffitt purchased two hundred acres on section 2, which he improved but later sold and bought eighty acres on section 1, Union township, which he also brought under a good state of cultivation. Subsequently disposing of that tract, he removed to Kansas, where he remained for a year, on the expiration of which period he returned to Union township and purchased two hundred and thirty acres on section 1. Here he erected a substantial residence, also barns and outbuildings, and successfully carried on his agricultural interests until he disposed of the place in 1894. That was the year of the drought and he lost all that he had and was forced to start out in business life anew. Nothing daunted, however, he operated rented land for three years and in 1900 bought the tract of thirty-three acres on which he now resides. Here he has built a good residence and developed a fine farm; has erected outbuildings and added many improvements. In addition to his general farming interests he has also been following the mason’s trade for the past fifteen years and is widely known as one of the enterprising and representative citizens of the county. Before losing his place, in 1894, he fed from three to five car loads of cattle annually and is still raising hogs on quite an extensive scale. Since 1902 he has been raising registered Poland China hogs and is meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings. The obstacles which he met in his business career would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit but he possessed indomitable energy and untiring perseverance and resolved to win success if it could be done by persistent and untiring labor. His prosperity is therefore well merited and the straightforward business methods which he has ever followed have gained him the unqualified confidence and respect of the entire community.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt have been born twelve children: Elmer, the eldest, is a carpenter at Billings, Montana; Orva, a carpenter of Union township, wedded Anna Huffman and they have two children, Lelia and Earl; Minta became the wife of Charles Early, an agriculturist of Union township, by whom she has three children, Willard, Elton and Alden. Lillie is the wife of Pearly Bridge, who follows farming in Jones township, and has one child, Lena. Walter, John, Emmett, Alice, Bertha, and Theodore William are all yet under the parental roof. Those who have passed away are: Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Ross, when two years of age.

Mr. Moffitt was reared in the faith of the republican party but for a time supported the democracy, though of late years he has advocated republican principles. Locally, however, he casts an independent ballot and has served as justice of the peace for four years and has been road supervisor and also constable. He has also been chosen as a delegate to several county conventions and his public service has ever been characterized by the prompt and faithful discharge of every duty entrusted to his care. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are widely and favorably known throughout the county. He has been a resident of this county for more than a half century and has moreover taken an active part in the work of early development and improvement here, breaking prairie and doing other arduous labor incident to pioneer times. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Union county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.