Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Moens, Polydore November 21, 1863 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net September 8, 2006, 3:09 am Author: Colonel William Parsons Page 423 POLYDORE MOENS Among the substantial citizens who have risen by their faithful endeavors of industrious and economical activity, must be mentioned our subject, who, though not of American birth, has nevertheless chosen this country as his foster land, and in every way makes a typical devotee of freedom. He was born in Belgium, near the city of Cermonde, on November 21, 1863, where he remained until he was twenty-six years of age. He had good educational advantages and improved them well, taking a preparatory and collegiate course. He is able to speak the French, English and Flemish languages, the last being his mother tongue, the native language of Belgium. He spent the spare hours of his youth in occupation in his father’s brewery and distillery, where he made himself master of every detail of this important industry. His father died when he was twelve years of age, but his older brother continued the business, with the assistance of this younger brother. On February 1, 1890, he landed in Pendleton, having come direct from Belgium via New York. He first occupied himself here with market gardening and then bought horses and shipped to the Belgian markets; in one trip of this enterprise he was especially successful, accompanying the horses himself. In 1897 he returned to this city and purchased a place and went to market gardening again until he purchased his present business, being now the proprietor of the City Brewery. He was married at his old home in Belgium to Miss Celine Andenaert, a native of that place. To them was born one son, Julian. His wife died on December 13, 1890, and is buried in Pendleton. He took his son back to his mother in their native land, where he still lives. He is a member of the I. O. R. M., Umaholis Tribe, No. 18, of Pendleton. On January 7, 1897, while on his trip to Belgium, he was married again, this time to Miss Caroline Vertongen; to them have been born two children, Gabrielle and Blanche. With his family he is a member of the Catholic church and is very active in participating in all of its varied services. He still owns the farm of twenty- five acres one mile from the city, it being especially valuable land. His brewery has a capacity of sixty barrels per week, and he is having a fine trade, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Moens has made many warm friends during his residence in this county and is receiving that confidence and esteem that is the portion of a man of faithfulness and integrity. Additional Comments: An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Publisher 1902. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/umatilla/bios/moens208gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 3.4 Kb