John T. Moe Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 392

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JOHN T. MOE, a progressive farmer of Hanson county, South Dakota, and 
the first white settler in Fairview township, is a native of Norway, 
being born near Throndhjem (home of the throne and crown), August 7, 
1843. His present home is on the northeast quarter of section 10, in 
Fairview township. 

At the age of twenty-three, after spending some time on his father's 
farm, Mr. Moe started, with his wife and two children, to the New 
World. He landed at Quebec and from there proceeded to Allamakee 
county, Iowa. For a number of years he was employed on a farm and in 
1876 rented land in Osceola, Iowa. His efforts here profited him but -
little, owing to the devastation by grasshoppers and at the end of 
three years he started for South Dakota. After a drive of three days, 
he arrived in what is now Hanson county in May, 1879, and filed on a 
half section, his present farm. On the 8th day of that month he broke 
one acre and planted it to beans and potatoes, the first seed planted 
in Fairview township. During June he settled his family on the claim 
and then found himself five hundred dollars in debt, with resources 
consisting of but a few household goods. two cows, one team of horses 
and thirty-five cents in cash. Under his skillful management conditions 
soon improved and at the present time Mr. Moe has as fine a property as 
can be found in Hanson county. In 1892 he erected a substantial 
dwelling at a cost of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and 
has all the adjuncts of a model home. A deep well, with wind-mill 
attached, furnishes an unlimited supply of water. Mr. Moe, aside from 
the cultivation of the cereals, has enhanced the value of his property 
by giving his attention to the cultivation of his orchard and garden. 
He also engages in stock raising. A visit to his farm convinces one of 
his thrift and energy. 

Our subject was united in marriage, in 1863, with Miss Ingebor Bjorkan, 
a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Moe are the parents of seven children; 
Anna, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Anna, Mrs. Frank A. Gregory; Albert; 
Martin, deceased; Theodore; and David. The oldest two children were 
born in Norway. Albert is married and resides in Fairview township. 
Theodore has acquired a thorough business course at South Dakota 
University. 

Mr. Moe is well posted on the topics of the day and is active in the 
interests of his township and county. He is a member of the board of 
township supervisors and chairman of the school board. He advocates 
Populist and equal-suffrage principles and is one of the Populist 
county central committeemen. He is a member of the Lutheran church and 
affiliates with Alexander lodge, No. 36, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows.