In 1875, at age 18, Mary received this teacher recommendation from the Superintendent of the Oconto County and City Schools, Oconto, Wisconsin.
April 21,1878 Mary Cleaves married James B. Moody in Richland County, Wisconsin.
Mary's first child, Ethel, was born in Wisconsin in 1879, followed in two years by her second daughter, Vinnie.
Between 1884 and 1888 Mary and James moved to Washington Territory.
Family tradition says they traveled on the Oregon Trail in a wagon.