Moses Standley, son of Moses and Jane (Minery) Standley, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., on the 4th day of September, 1825. His father was a native of Tazwell County, Va., and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Both moved to Kentucky when and were married in that State in 1814. The father was a farmer, and followed that occupation in Kentucky until 1827. In June of that year, he removed with his family to Carroll County, Ind., locating in Deer Creek Township. On the 15th of April, 1829, he removed to Washington Township in the same county, where he cleared and improved the farm now owned by Margaret Williams and Martin Steward. Here his wife died, in October, 1836. He continued his labors here for a period of sixteen years longer, and in 1852, went to Hill County, Texas, lured thither by his love of pioneer life and frontier scenes. His family had grown to maturity in the meantime and he left them well provided for when he went. He died in that county on the 14th of August, 1858.
His son Moses was scarcely two years of age when he came with his parents to the wilds of Indiana, and was but four years old when he removed to the township in which he has ever since continued to reside. As might be expected, his early educational advantages were limited. He attended the first school taught in the township, in the winter of 1838, but for the general knowledge he acquired he is indebted mainly to a persistent course of study at home and close fellowship with his father, who was a scholar of no inferior attainments. He grew up amid the scenes and surroundings peculiar to pioneer life, and as soon as he was old enough to work, his services were in demand at home. He assisted his father in the labor of clearing his farm, and cultivating it afterward. He became thus associated with the infant history of his township, and in all the years that have followed has been closely identified with its public and private interests.
On the 16th of February, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Selina, daughter of Thaddeus Pangburn, who came to Carroll County in 1835, settling in Carrollton Township. Associated with his brother, William H. Standley, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and which they cultivated in common until 1864. At that time William sold his interest to his brother, and removed to Logansport, where he now resides. Since that time, Mr. Standley has cultivated his farm alone and in the meantime has inaugurated and carried out many important improvements. He has grown with the township, and kept abreast of its progress, proving himself in advance of the times in many of his ideas. He possessions a vigorous constitution, and hard work seems to be his especial element. This backed as it is by indomitable energy, has proved the secret of his success. No special good fortune has attended him; and, while he may be classed among the wealthy men of his township, his possessions are the legitimate outgrowth of his industry and energy. He enjoys the highest esteem of all who know him, and is recognized as on of the most substantial and reliable of citizens.
He has a happy home, surrounded with the comforts of life and presided over by the faithful wife who assisted and encouraged him in the struggles of earlier years, and whose careful management was an important factor in his ultimate success. Their wedded life has been blessed by ten children, named, respectively, Franklin, John J., Caroline, Mary J., William Wirt, Thaddeus, Ella, Amy, Charles and Bruce, all of whom now survive, save Amy.
Mr. Standley is the only member of his father’s family now living in Carroll County. One brother, Charles M., was a member of the Twenty-fourth Indiana Battery, and died in the Union service at Lebanon, Ky., during the war of the rebellion. John is a citizen of the State of Texas, and William H. is a citizen of Logansport, Ind.
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net