Johnson-Lyon County KS Archives Biographies.....Moon, A. O. 1871 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 10, 2008, 11:11 pm Author: Ed Blair (1915) A. O. Moon, superintendent of the Johnson county hospital and farm, is a native son of Kansas. He was born in Lyon county, July 24, 1871, and is a son of Asa and Anne P. (Pennington) Moon, both natives of Hamilton county, Indiana, the former born September 30, 1834, and the latter in 1838. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Alvin, died in infancy; Emma, married Henry Allen, Hutchinson, Kan.; Luther, Neosha Rapids, Kan.; Dora, married J. R. Stone, Chase county,. Kansas; Alvah, Benedict; A. O., the subject of this sketch, and Frank. Asa Moon, the father, was a son of John and Lavina (Burnside) Moon,. natives of North Carolina, who removed to Indiana at an early day, and in 1858 came to Kansas. They drove the entire distance with a "private conveyance," which consisted of an ox team and a prairie-schooner. They settled in Lyon county on what has since been known as Moon creek. They were among the very first settlers of that section of the State and their house was used for religious meetings for a number of years. They prempted land there and John Moon and his wife-spent the remainder of their lives in that locality. They were the parents of eight children, Asa, Jesse, deceased, of Johnson county; Jacob and Mary, twins, the latter deceased and Jacob resides at Emporia; Elisha, resides in Lyon county; William, Madison, Kan.; Calvin, Emporia; and Melisaa. Asa Moon came to Kansas in 1858 and for a time remained in the vicinity of Shawnee mission. Johnson county. He then went to Lyon county and preemptied Government land and has made that county his-home ever since. He was engaged in freighting- in the early days, and made many trips across the plains from Leavenworth to Emporia and between other points in the State. Lyon county at that time was known as Breckenridge county and it was well in advance of the border line of settlement. There were more Indians in that section then than white people and Mr. Moon may well be called one of the pioneers of Kansas. Although now well past the four score mark in the journey of life, he is a man of remarkable vigor and appears to be twenty years younger than he is. His wife departed this life in August 1896. She was one of the noble pioneer women of Kansas who lived a consistent christian life. She bore the suffering of her last days with fortitude and was reconciled to pass to the great beyond. Johnson county is unusually fortunate in having a man of Mr. Moon's experience and capabilities to manage that particular branch of its affairs of which he has charge. He was reared in Lyon county and remained in the parental home until he was twenty years old. He then came to Johnson county and located in Lexington township where he remained until 1893. He then returned to Lyon county to care for his mother, whose health was failing and remained with her until she died and in 1899 returned to Johnson county. He operated a creamery at Pioneer for eighteen months. He then entered the employ of E. H. L. Thompson, as manager of his 220 acre farm, north of Olathe. This place is known at the "Model Farm" and Mr. Moon had much to do with its ideal development, having had charge of it for nine years and three months. In 1913 he accepted his present position and immediately upon assuming the duties of that office he introduced the innovation of separating the county hospital from the county farm and operating them as distinct institutions, although apparently as one. The plan is to keep distinct accounts of the expenses and income of both departments and for the profits of the farm to maintain the hospital. This was put into effect in 1914, and during that year the profits of the farm not only maintained the hospital but produced a surplus of $525.00 the second year. The county farm consists of 182 acres, and Mr. Moon aims to conduct general farming on a profitable basis. During the year of 1914 he sold $1,800 worth of produce from the place in addition to maintaining about fourteen inmates. Mr. Moon not only takes a deep interest in the profit producing part of his work, but looks carefully after the welfare of the unfortunates who come within his care. The hospital is in charge of a trained nurse, Miss Helen Mills, and the helpless are constantly made as comfortable as possible. Mr. Moon was united in marriage November 15, 1892, to Miss Rodena White, a daughter of Roland and Caroline (Lindlay) White, pioneers of Johnson county. Mrs. Moon was born March 25, 1871, in Lexington township and died July 26, 1913, leaving three children, as follows: lone, matron of the Johnson county hospital; Edna and Josephine reside with their father. Mr. Moon is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He belongs to the Friends church at Prairie Center and politically is a Republican. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF Johnson County Kansas BY ED BLAIR AUTHOR OF Kansas Zephyrs, Sunflower Sittings and Other Poems and Sketches IN ONE VOLUME ILLUSTRATED STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY LAWRENCE, KANSAS 1915 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/johnson/bios/moon239nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ksfiles/ File size: 5.6 Kb