My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. MOTE, merchant, Laura; born in Monroe Township, Darke Co., in 1841; is a son of Alexander and Rhoda Mote. His father was born in the year 1818; Alexander’s parents were born in Georgia, and were the third family to settle in Monroe Township, Darke Co. He (Grandfather Mote) died in the home of his adoption; his wife afterward married a Mr. Penny, who removed to Indiana, where she afterward died. Alexander Mote lived in Darke Co. until 1864, at which time he departed to Iowa, and settled in Le Grand, Marshall Co., where he died the following year; his wife, Rhoda, departed this life in Darke Co., in the year 1852, aged 29 years. They were parents of two children, viz., Harry and our subject. William’s early days were spent on his father’s farm, and at the age of 15 years, he entered mercantile life in the employ of George W. Sigafoos, with whom he remained five years, becoming acquainted with all the different phases of a mercantile life; after severing his connection with the above gentleman, he returned to the farm in Darke Co., on which he labored two years, then selling out he came to Laura and went into business under the firm name of Mote & Longanecker. They continued in business till 1871, when he withdrew, and went to Weaver Station, in Darke Co., and engaged in merchandising under the firm name of J. & W. Mote; this firm did business for three years, when he withdrew, and again returned to Laura in 1875; in September, 1876, he opened a store here, in which he has since successfully followed his business; he carries a complete and perfect stock of almost everything to be found in a first-class retail house, and his long experience and fair dealing command for him a full share of the public patronage. He has supplied the wants of a buying public in this place for nine years, and in an adjoining town five years, thus making fourteen years he has been before the people. In 1861, he was married to Sarah A. Longanecker, by whom he has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz., John L., Vinnie P., Alexander H., Myrtle E., Benjamin and William W.; Emma J., deceased. Mrs. Mote is a member of the German Baptist Church, and an exemplary Christian woman.