Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 463 - 464 

JAMES MORAN, located on the western line of Sedgwick County, in Grand River Township, has his residence on section 19, and also owns land on section 20, adjoining, The main points in his history will be read with interest by the people of this section, by whom he is held in the highest esteem as a worthy representative of the prosperous farmers who have assisted in redeeming the soil of this locality from its primitive condition.

      Our subject, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, was born March 14, 1828, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Beckham) Moran, who were natives of Loudoun County, Va. They are both now deceased, dying in Licking County, Ohio, the mother in May, 1847, and the father in February, 1861. The latter had served as a soldier in the War of 1812. The parents were married in Virginia, where two of their children born, and removed thence to Muskingum County, Ohio, subsequently taking up their residence in Licking County, that State.

      In Licking County, Ohio, Thomas Moran entered land from the Government, and was recognized as one of the most worthy of the early settlers of that region. After the death of his first wife, he was again married, and by his two wives became the father of twenty children, eleven by the first and nine by the second. James, of our sketch, was the fourth child of the first marriage, and of the nine sons of the parental household all grew up and voted the Republican ticket. Four of them served as soldiers in the Union army during the late war. Nine of the children were married and their children in all number thirty-two. But seven of the original household are now living.

      Mr. Moran, of our sketch, received his education in the district school, and when twenty years of age, left his native State and made his way to Henry County, Iowa, where with money which he had himself earned, he purchased eighty acres of land. On the 27th of September, 1851, he was married in Henry County, to Miss Amanda, daughter of Thomas and Isabelle (McDowell) Nickell, who were natives of Monroe County, W. Va. Mr. Nickell was born April 15, 1800, and departed this life at his home in Dakota, Sept. 9, 1885. His wife, Isabelle, was born Dec. 26, 1805, and died Nov. 15,1883.

      The parents of Mrs. Moran were married in West Virginia, Jan. 24, 1822, and soon afterward removed to Jackson County, Ohio. From there they emigrated to Iowa as early as 1849-50, where the mother died, as above stated. Mr. Nickell afterward removed to Dakota, where his death took place. They were the parents of nine children, of whom their daughter Amanda was the fifth in order of birth. She was born Nov. 2, 1831. Of her father's family, eight children lived to mature years, seven were married and their children number twenty-one.

      The State of Iowa continued to be the residence of our subject until 1859, when he removed to Gentry County, Mo. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion he joined the State Militia, enlisting in the 18th Missouri Infantry, but was subsequently drafted into the regular service. He now receives a pension on account of disability. He made the State of Missouri his home until 1877, then coming to this county, pre-empted a quarter-section of bottom land along the Ninnescah River, which has since been the field of his operations. His family includes four children : William was born Sept. 25,1854, and married Cintha Pierce, of Gentry County, Mo., Feb. 15,1874; Thomas E. was born June 25,1858, and was married to Miss Mary L. Barlow, June 24, 1883; Isabelle was born March 26, 1867, and became the wife of J. I. Saunders, of Garden Plain, Dec. 27, 1885; Fremont was born Oct. 5, 1861, and on the 8th of February, 1888, was united in marriage with Miss Effie Barlow. Mr. and Mrs. Moran have six grandchildren. Socially Mr. Moran is a member of Morton Lodge No. 258, Cheney, Kan.

[ Home ]