Thomas  Moberly


          Thomas Moberly, a citizen of Union Township, is a native of Madison County, Ky., and was born January 20, 1821, being the next eldest ina family of three children born to  William  and  Martha (Robertson) Moberly,  who were natives of North Carolina and Madison County Ky., respectively, of whom both died in Kentucky, the latter when Thomas was about three years of age.   James Robertson, uncle of our subject, came to Shelby County about 1822.  After the death of Thomas's mother, when he was about four years old, he came to live with his uncle, Robertson, by whom he was reared to manhood, receiving, what was for those days, a good education.  February, 1842, his marriage with  Miss Julila Barnes was solemnized, and to their union these six children have been born:  John M., who married  Miss Mary DeWitt;  William,  whose wife was Missouri Woodan;  James,  Mary, now Mrs. Dr. A. M. Pherson;  Martha, and  Edward, whose consort was Carrie Yarling.  Mr. Moberly has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful.  He now owns 150 acres of land; he originally had about 400 acres, but started each of his children in life with some land, all the accumulation of his own industry and economy.  He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.  In politics, he is a Republican, and he has been honored with an election to the office of Justice of the Peace, for nine successive terms of four years each.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, page 774.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming for  Stephen & Kathy Arnold Moberly

THOMAS  MOBERLY, Union Township,

was born in Madison County, Ky., Jan. 20, 1821.  He is the son of  William and Martha (Robertson) Moberly.  His parents both died in Kentucky, his father in 1832, his mother in 1824.  Thomas came to this county, an orphan, at the age of 7; poor, but determined; if constant effort could win a place for him among the successful men of Shelby Co., that place should be his.  He lived and worked with  James Robertson, his uncle, until his marriage, which took place Feb. 17, 1842, at which time he was united to Miss Julila Barnes.  After his marriage, he went to work on the place where his present home stands, but he purchased no land until 1848 when he made his first investment by buying 52-1/2 acres.
          Mr. Moberly has had by his marriage six children --- John M.,  William N.,  James H.,  Mary E.,  Martha F.  and  Edmund R.  He has also raised a little girl whom they took when a baby; she was the daughter of  Philip and Pamelia Devining.  She is now nine years of age and is an affectionate child.  As a farmer, Mr. Moberly has been eminently successful, and to the 52 acres which he first purchased he has added largely, and, before he gave any away to his son, he had about 400 acres of land.  He now has a fine farm and pleasant home, situated six miles northeast of Shelbyville.
          He has a very pleasant and interesting family; his eldest son lives one mile west of home; the next son lives in Decatur Co.  The eldest daughter married  Dr. Albert M. Pherson and resides in Ohio.  Mrs. Moberly is the daughter of  Noah and Polly Barnes. She came with her parents to this county in 1833.  Her father died in 1867; her mother in 1868.  Mr. and Mrs. Moberly are both consistent members of the Baptist Church.
          No one looking at the present circumstances of Mr. M., and contrasting them with those of the poor boy seven years of age who came to this county to make his fortune, can fail to conclude that a determined effort is productive of success. and that success is deserving of such an effort.
Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co, 1880, p 71.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming for  Stephen & Kathy Arnold Moberly

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