Listed as age 2 in 1850, and in 1870 as John Motes (23), a farmer, with his brother Henry (18).
Listed living adjacent to his father in 1880.
[Obituary] Malvern Leader - 28 December 1933, pg 8
John H. Moats Answers Last Roll Call on Monday - Gallant Old Soldier Dies at Home of Daughter in Prescott
John H. Moats, pioneer resident of eastern Mills and last of the old G. A. R. of Emerson, answered his last roll call Christmas morning, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alta Holmes, in Prescott, after a brief illness of about a week.
Mr. Moats spent a large part of his life in Emerson and vicinity and was a familiar figure here where he had endeared himself to all by his kindly bearings and genial friendly ways.
Funeral services were held in the Baptist Church in Emerson, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Joseph F. Stille, and was largely attended.
Music was furnished by Ralph Good, C. D. Greenwood, Mrs. Laura M. Post, and Mrs. Ivan Salmona, with Miss Margaret Hatfield was accompanist.
Burial was in the Emerson Cemetery. The pall bearers were H. E. Good, R. W. Davis, E. E. Whisler, Horace Greenwood, L. V. Hicks, and Wilbur Morrison.
John Moats was born January 10, 1842 (sic) in Knox County, Ohio, and departed this life December 25, 1933 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alta Holmes of Prescott at the advanced age of eighty-six years, eleven months, and fifteen days.
On October 1, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mary Melissa Vanarsdale, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper of Red Oak, and Mrs. Alta Holmes of Prescott, who together with two grandchildren and two sisters and an unusually large number of friends mount his departure. Mrs. Moats preceded her husband in death ten years ago last September.
Mr. Moats and his family came to Iowa bout 52 years ago and has lived in and near Emerson for about 40 years.
Mr. Moats enlisted in the army at Newark, Ohio, and served one year with Co. E. 1st U. S. Veteran Volunteer Engineers, and was honorably discharged September 16, 1865 at Nashville, Tenn.
At the time of his death he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Emerson and his church was dear to him. He was also a member of the Masonic lodge of this city.
Because of his long time residence here, he enjoyed a large circle of friends and Emerson always seemed like home to him and his pleasant greetings will be missed by all.