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Submitted by Cheryl Van Wormer.



			WILBER H. AND SATIRA R. (FALLAS) MOON.

	WILBER H. MOON.  This name is familiar to the residents of Ionia 
County and will be recognized by other readers, as he who bears it has been 
intimately connected with educational affairs and was at one time County 
Superintendent of Schools in Ionia County.  He came hither in his boyhood 
and has not only seen the country improved but has himself aided in bringing 
about the present state of affairs, material and social.  Reared upon a farm 
he had a share in the improvement of property, and in his later years he has 
tilled the soil and now is carrying on a farm on section 19, Keene Township.
For several years he was engaged in teaching and he has from that time kept 
up his interest in the cause of education and done what he could to promote 
the efficiency of the schools.
	Mr. Moon was born in Monroe County, N. Y.. January 1, 1839, and came 
to this state with his parents, Tracy and Abigail (Beadle) Moon, in 1846.  
The family settled in Otisco Township, Ionia County, and were among the 
first to make a home in that part of the county.  They were practically in 
the woods and found it necessary to endure hardships and make sacrifices 
that are not called for in regions that have been settled longer.  The 
faithful wife and mother died in 1876, but the father survived until March, 
1889, and witnessed a high degree of development and prosperity in the 
county.  The parental family comprised eight children, six of whom are 
living, namely:  Frank A., and John B. in Montcalm County; Wilber H.; Emery 
P., in Husted, Col.; Harriet A., wife of C. W. Wakeman in Kent County; Emma 
S., wife of J. L. Blood, in Corry, Pa.
	Amid the primitive surroundings of the early home in Ionia County 
Wilber Moon grew to manhood.  He pursued his studies in the district school 
of Otisco Township and first taught in Ada Township, Kent County.  There he 
was engaged for three successive winters, building up a reputation for tact 
and mental ability.  when he closed his school in the spring of 1861 he 
exchanged his books for the implements of warfare, enlisting in Company A, 
Third Michigan Infantry, during the month of April.  Although he was one of 
the first to tender his services to the country in her hour of need he did 
not go into active service until June.  He then took part in the disastrous 
battle of Bull Run, in the siege of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the 
seven days' fight in front of Richmond, Malvern Hill, the second Bull Run, 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, filling the interims of 
time with such campaign and camp duties as commonly fall to the lot of 
soldiers.  He was with the Army of the Potomac during his entire service, 
but after the battle of Gettysburg left the South, being sent to this State 
and placed on duty in Kent County until April, 1864, when he was stationed 
at Jackson until his discharge, June 18, 1864.
	When his services were no longer needed in the Union army Mr. Moon 
resumed his professional work and subsequently taught school ten winters.  
In 1872 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools and did efficient 
work during the term of two years.  His name was brought before the public 
on the Republican ticket, he being a stanch advocate of the principles of 
that party.  Later he filled the office of Township Clerk two years, and was 
for a long time Inspector of Schools of Keene Township.  He became a resident 
of that township in 1866 and has given more or less time to the cultivation
of an eighty-acre tract of land which he owns and occupies.
	It is natural to suppose that Mr. Moon would choose for his wife an 
educated and refined lady, and one who would sympathize with him in his 
vocation.  This was the case, and November 8, 1863, he was married to Miss 
Satira R. Fallas, daughter of William and Wealthy (Winslow) Fallas, parents 
and daughter natives of New York.  Mrs. Moon was a teacher in her youth and 
has always been interested in school work and mental growth.  She and her 
husband have endeavored to keep up their own discipline of mind by extensive 
reading, supplementing in this way the education of their earlier years and 
keeping abreast of the times so as to enjoy an interchange of thought with 
their children and friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Moon have four children, in whose 
education they have taken much interest, and all except the eldest were 
graduated from the Ionia High School.  Their names are, Myrtle A., Frank C., 
Cora A. and L. Lura.  The daughters are teaching, two in Iron Mountain and 
the youngest in Kent County.
	Mr. and Mrs. Moon hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and Mr. Moon is now Recording Steward.  He is identified with the Patrons of
Husbandry and is Master of Keene Grange No. 270.  Both in 1880 and 1890 he 
was Census Enumerator of Keene Township.  He takes a lively interest in the 
political and social questions agitating the minds of the people and has a 
decided influence by reason of his mental ability, good judgment and 
pleasing personal qualities.  He ranks as a successful educator and 
honorable business man and a skillful farmer.  Personally he is genial and 
entertaining, his hospitality is well known, while the members of his family
circle aid him to the best of their ability in making their residence the 
center of true culture of mind and heart.  They draw around them a pleasant 
circle of friends that is constantly reaching out and adding to its numbers
and influence.



This biography is taken from "PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF IONIA AND 
MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN."  Chapman Brothers.  Chicago, Illinois.  1891.  
Pages 192-194.  (Ionia County.)