Listed with his parents thru 1860, and then living with his uncle & aunt, Phineas and Mahala (Moats) Ford, in Peoria Co, IL in 1870.
By 1880, he was married to his cousin Emily Ford, and started a family of 4 children.
By 1885 his family had increased to 6 children, and he had moved to Iowa.
He is listed as a farmer (53, OH) married 28 yrs and with 7 of his 9 children living in the 1900 census. In 1910, only 6 of his children survived, but a grandson, Oliver J. Camp (5, OR) was also living with them. Oliver’s father was born in Kansas, mother in Iowa; indicating that he was probably Mary’s child and that she may have died.
By 1920, he was widowed (72, OH) but still listed as a farmer and head of household, with children James, Susie, Clyde, Alta and Felix still living with him; as well as Joseph O. Camp (15, OR) his grandson.
[Obituary] Afton Star Enterprise - Feb 1922
JOSEPH EVANS MOATS
Joseph Evans Moats was born in Ohio, Feb. 10, 1847 and passed from this life Feb. 1, 1922, aged 74 years, 11 months and 22 days.
March 27,1872 he was married to Emilia A. Ford who preceded him in death almost eight years ago.
To this union were born nine children six of whom are still living, three have passed away some time before.
He joined the Methodist church when a young man and always loved to attend religious services and to take part in them tho for some time poor health has kept him at home.
He leaves to mourn their loss three sons: James, Henry and Clyde who are at home, and Elmer who lives near Macksburg, Iowa; three daughters: Mrs. Abraham Kalar and Susie and Alta Bell who are at home. Eleven granchildren and two great grandchildren. He also has three brothers: John and James of Kansas and Elmer of Idaho and three sisters: Louise Allen of Kansas, Mary Hazen of Oregon and Alice Rhodes of Washington.
The neighborhod will not soon forget the kindly simple hearted, brotherly old man who was as open in his friendships as a child. He had the true dignity which comes from trusting love.
Funeral services were held at the Dodge Center church and his body laid away in the cemetery along side the church in full view of his home. The services were conducted by his pastor.