Moses Martin Sanders, Jr., was the son of Amanda Armstrong Fausett and Moses Martin Sanders Sr., pioneers of 1850.

He left Tonto Creek, Arizona, with wife and his two little daughters, aged three years and eight months, traveling in a light wagon for Old Mexico, arriving there April 1, 1885. At first the Mexican people refused to sell him land; but, they were allowed to pitch their tent on the land owned by a Mexican until a delegation of men had been sent to President Diaz regarding the purchase of property. In August, 1886, a townsite was surveyed, four miles from the Spanish town of La Ascencion, and at a meeting held Nov. 5, 1886, the townsite was named Colonia Diaz. The Casas Grande river ran between the two towns.

Mr. William Derby Johnson arrived in the Mexico the same day as Moses. Later, when they built their homes, they ran a race to see who could finish first and Moses won by one shingle. Moses learned to speak the language fluently and was often called to the border to help emigrants through the Custom House so they would not be charged exorbitantly in paying duties on their goods and machinery. He always tried to be fair to both sides, so he was often called on to settle disputes between the natives and the Latter-day Saint people.

Since there were no doctors or dentists in the community, Moses spent much of his time taking care of the physical and dental needs of both Mexicans and his own people. He also owned a country store and many were the charge accounts never paid. He was a breeder of find horses and the owner of a pair of grey Arabian mares which were his pride and joy. He also owned another large black horse and a mule.

One day Moses and a son had just made camp for the night when some renegade Mexican soldiers rode up and asked from the darkness, "Who is there?" Moses answered, "Martin Sanders." The leaders said, "Martine, amigo mio," "Martin, my friend," and came up and embraced Moses. He proved to be a man whom Moses had attended through a severe illness when he was a young boy and he had not forgotten. He told Moses he wanted a horse--that one of their's had gone lame. Moses explained that he had only his team and was far from home without supplies. Through his love for Moses he said if he would deliver their guns, etc., at a certain place, they would not take his horses.

When the Latter-day Saints left Colonia Diaz, his people came to Duncan, Arizona, where they made their home after leaving practically all of their possessions in the Mexican colony. Moses passed away March 23, 1926.
-Maude Sanders LaFrankie, his daughter

Carter, Kate B. Treasures of Pioneer History, vol. 3 or 4. Salt Lake City: Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1954.

Wives: Elizabeth Ellen Cheney, Lora Ann Amelia Starr (later divorced) and Lillian May Jackson

Children with Elizabeth Ellen Cheney Sanders: Martin Franklin Sanders, David William Sanders, Joseph LeRoy Sanders, John Elam Sanders, James Richard Sanders, Moses Elijah Sanders, George Henry Sanders, Hyrum Peter Sanders, Charles Alma Sanders, Francis Sanders and Lee Washington Sanders

Children with Lora Ann Starr Sanders: Lora Ann Amelia Starr, Elizabeth Starr Sanders, Ethel May Sanders, Edward Starr Sanders, Maude M. Sanders, Orson Sanders, Ellen Minnie Sanders, Eileen Sanders, Zebina Sanders and Martin Reginald Sanders.

Children with Lillian May Sanders: Brigham Jackson Sanders, Malcolm Sanders, Anthony Ezra Sanders, Leonard Fythis Sanders, Roosevelt Alroy Sanders, Mary Amanda Sanders and Ellen May Sanders.

* View online death certificate.