Wasco-Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Moody, William Hovey October 5, 1860 - 
************************************************
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:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 16, 2008, 11:04 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     WILLIAM HOVEY MOODY.  Time is the test which establishes the position of 
an individual in relation to his community and gives proof of the real worth 
of his work in its lasting qualities.  Judged in this way, William Hovey Moody 
held high position in Portland, where he was prominent as a business man, and 
in the state, where his influence was most widely felt. He was born in 
Jacksonville, Illinois, October 5, 1860, and his life record covered the 
intervening years to the 17th of June, 1919. He was one of the children of 
Governor Zenas Ferry and Mary Jane (Stephenson) Moody of Oregon, and the two 
who still survive are: Zenas A., a resident of Ashland; and Ralph, who is 
living in the east. The family was established in Oregon in pioneer times, the 
father making the trip by way of Cape Horn to the Pacific northwest in 1850. 
He settled in The Dalles and with passing years became active in much that had 
to do with early progress and development. He promoted various business 
interests of importance, including the establishment of large warehouses, and 
he set an example which was an inspiration to his son.
     William H. Moody was but three years of age when brought to Oregon and 
was reared at The Dalles. The history of the state was familiar to him from 
many angles. He was a pupil of the public schools at The Dalles and later 
studied in Oakland, California, and when his textbooks were put aside he took 
up his abode in the former city and became associated in business with his 
father and brothers. With the passing years their interests became very 
extensive both along mercantile lines and in connection with the conduct of 
mammoth warehouses. They conducted a general commission business in wheat and 
dealt in all ranch supplies, the business being carried on under the name of 
the Z. F. Moody Warehouse Company. It constantly expanded in scope and volume 
and a branch was established at Shaniko, Oregon, in the year 1900. Of this 
William H. Moody had full charge and gave further demonstration of the 
business ability and marked enterprise which he had already displayed in the 
conduct of important mercantile affairs. He showed ability in solving 
intricate and involved business problems and his broad vision and keen insight 
were manifest in improved methods and well devised plans. After a time he 
purchased the interests of his father and brothers and became sole owner of 
the business, which intelligently directed, grew to very large proportions and 
covered an immense territory. The company bought and sold everything used or 
raised on the ranches, but their chief line was wheat and wool, and thus in 
the management of a mammoth concern Mr. Moody wisely directed his interests 
until his death. He also purchased the famous Bake Oven ranch of five thousand 
acres, which was devoted to the growing of wheat and to stock raising, and of 
this property Mrs. Moody is still owner.
     On the 4th of January, 1883, Mr. Moody was married to Miss Clara 
McFarland, a representative of an old pioneer family. Her father was James C. 
McFarland, who was born near Mansfield, Ohio, and her mother, Martha Ann 
(Bouton) McFarland, was a native of Virginia and of French descent. The 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McFarland was celebrated in 1852 and their wedding 
journey consisted of the long trip across the plains, which trip they made in 
company with the parents of James C.McFarland. The family settled at The 
Dalles, where Captain Isaac McFarland, the father of James C. McFarland, 
became an outstanding figure in business circles, his efforts being a potent 
force in the settlement and development of that part of the state. He it was 
who built and operated one of the first steamers that navigated on the 
Columbia river above The Dalles, running that vessel during the Indian wars of 
the early ‘60s. He died at the comparatively early age of fifty-five years.
      William H. and Clara (McFarland) Moody became the parents of three 
children, two of whom survive. Adelbert M., a successful physician of San 
Francisco, is diagnostician at St. Francis Hospital. He married Mabel Nichols, 
of Denver, and they have one child, Blanche. Druscilla Edna Moody first became 
the wife of Howard Melville West, who died leaving three children: William 
Melville, Elyse Moody and Donald Eugene. Mrs. Druscilla West subsequently 
became the wife of S. H. Salomon, of Portland.
     Fraternally Mr. Moody was affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks at The Dalles, He was never greatly interested in politics, but 
he manifested the keenest interest in all that pertained to the welfare and 
upbuilding of the state. His cooperation could always be counted upon to 
further any movement that sought to benefit the commonwealth at large. His 
position as an honorable business man was unassailable. He controlled 
extensive interests and at all times his methods were such as would bear the 
closest investigation and scrutiny. His entire career was an illustration of 
the old adage that honesty is the best policy. His success was due to the fact 
that he used his time and talents wisely and well, that he recognized and 
embraced opportunities that others passed heedlessly by and that he made his 
labors count for the utmost. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seemed to 
serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part and with the passing years 
he garnered the rewards of his persistent and intelligently directed labor, 
winning a place not only among the more successful but also among the most 
honored of Oregon’s citizens.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 420-423



Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/photos/bios/moody433gbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/bios/moody433gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/

File size: 6.4 Kb