December 5, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member Mike Easter for sponsoring this memorial and for calling to my attention the fact that the stone chosen as Iowa's contribution to the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. came from Moses Root's quarry in Van Buren County. At the bottom of this biography, I have transcribed information from the Iowa Senate Journal of 1850 about this stone and the inscription on it which was carved by Moses Root. This article is in the public domain.
December 4, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member ;) for providing the link to Moses' parents. I have never seen any documentation about who Moses' parents were, and even though he was a well-known stone carver in this area in the late 1800s, I have not been able to find an obituary for him. However, I see that these are the parents named for Moses in family trees in ancestry.com, and I accepted this edit.
In many cemeteries in southeastern Iowa, gravestones can be found with the signature of "M.B. Root," in the lower corner. Transcribed below is a short article from "The History of Wapello County, Iowa," published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1878, which is found in the public domain:
ROOT, MOSES B., proprietor of the marble-yard and works; born near Springfield, Mass, May 25, 1816; parents removed to Licking Co., Ohio, when he was about two years of age; in June, 1842, he came to Van Buren Co., Iowa; engaged in farming three years, then commenced the marble business at Keosauqua; came to Ottumwa in 1860. Married Elizabeth Howard in March 1841; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have had five children; lost one son and a daughter; Howard died in 1846, and Mary died in 1851; those living are Frank L., Addie H., and Ettie L. Members of the Congregational Church.
An article published on Moses and Elizabeth's son, F.L. Root, in the "History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II," published by The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1914, states that Moses B. Root was born in Ohio. The article further states that Moses married Elizabeth A. Howard in his native state.
---------------
Pieces of Iowa's Past
February 12, 2020, Page 3:
Senate Journal
Journal of the Senate
[Written Signature of W. Penn. Clarke]
OF THE
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
STATE OF IOWA.
BEGUN AND HELD AT IOWA CITY, ON MONDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1850; BEING THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
IOWA CITY:
PALMER & PAUL STATE PRINTERS
1850.
IOWA CITY, November 30th, 1850.
To his Excellency, Ansel Briggs, Governor, of Iowa:
The undersigned, appointed by your Excellency an agent to procure a suitable block of marble or other stone, to be furnished by the State of Iowa, for the Washington Monument, would respectfully report–That after having examined all the quarries in the State now worked, from which it was supposed such stone could be obtained, succeeded in procuring a block of the proper dimensions from the quarry of Moses B. Root, of Van Buren county.
The stone is now at the shop of Mr. Root, in Keosauqua, blocked out of the proper size and shape, ready to be finished in such manner and with such inscription thereon, as the General Assembly may direct.
Mr. Root looks to the liberality of the General Assembly for such compensation for his services in this matter as they may think him entitled.
I have to honor to be
Your Excellency's ob't serv't,
JOSIAH H. BONNEY.
Page 4:
From the, "Annals of Iowa," beginning with a quote from the Senate Journal:
Your committee, after a careful examination, would recommend the following:
"IOWA.
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union."
Your committee further recommend [sic] the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House, jointly forward a copy of this report to M.B. Root, Keosauqua, Iowa, with instructions to place the inscription above recommended upon the block of marble by him prepared for the Washington Monument.
All of which is submitted.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, the senate concurred in the report of the committee.
Judge Wright informs us that while this matter was pending in the hands of the committee, he invited several gentlemen to suggest inscriptions for the Iowa stone, and that a large number were in consequence received and considered. Among others, the late Lieutenant Governor Enoch W. Eastman furnished three or four, including the one which was finally adopted. Judge Wright, however, is of the impression that the inscription as furnished by Governor Eastman was identical, or nearly so, with the quotation made by Mr. Lacey, but, owing to the requirements of space the wording was cut down as it now stands. For some time after the newspapers attributed the inscription to Judge Wright, an impression which he took every opportunity to counteract. The credit, and the sole credit as he informs us, of the thought embodied in this inscription, is due to Lieutenant Governor Eastman. Such facts are very apt to be forgotten in the lapse of years, where the history of a great State has not been written, and it is well to revert to original sources for correction information, as we have done in this instance.
December 4, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member ;) for providing the link to Moses' parents. I have never seen any documentation about who Moses' parents were, and even though he was a well-known stone carver in this area in the late 1800s, I have not been able to find an obituary for him. However, I see that these are the parents named for Moses in family trees in ancestry.com, and I accepted this edit.
In many cemeteries in southeastern Iowa, gravestones can be found with the signature of "M.B. Root," in the lower corner. Transcribed below is a short article from "The History of Wapello County, Iowa," published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1878, which is found in the public domain:
ROOT, MOSES B., proprietor of the marble-yard and works; born near Springfield, Mass, May 25, 1816; parents removed to Licking Co., Ohio, when he was about two years of age; in June, 1842, he came to Van Buren Co., Iowa; engaged in farming three years, then commenced the marble business at Keosauqua; came to Ottumwa in 1860. Married Elizabeth Howard in March 1841; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have had five children; lost one son and a daughter; Howard died in 1846, and Mary died in 1851; those living are Frank L., Addie H., and Ettie L. Members of the Congregational Church.
An article published on Moses and Elizabeth's son, F.L. Root, in the "History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II," published by The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1914, states that Moses B. Root was born in Ohio. The article further states that Moses married Elizabeth A. Howard in his native state.
---------------
Pieces of Iowa's Past
February 12, 2020, Page 3:
Senate Journal
Journal of the Senate
[Written Signature of W. Penn. Clarke]
OF THE
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
STATE OF IOWA.
BEGUN AND HELD AT IOWA CITY, ON MONDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1850; BEING THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
IOWA CITY:
PALMER & PAUL STATE PRINTERS
1850.
IOWA CITY, November 30th, 1850.
To his Excellency, Ansel Briggs, Governor, of Iowa:
The undersigned, appointed by your Excellency an agent to procure a suitable block of marble or other stone, to be furnished by the State of Iowa, for the Washington Monument, would respectfully report–That after having examined all the quarries in the State now worked, from which it was supposed such stone could be obtained, succeeded in procuring a block of the proper dimensions from the quarry of Moses B. Root, of Van Buren county.
The stone is now at the shop of Mr. Root, in Keosauqua, blocked out of the proper size and shape, ready to be finished in such manner and with such inscription thereon, as the General Assembly may direct.
Mr. Root looks to the liberality of the General Assembly for such compensation for his services in this matter as they may think him entitled.
I have to honor to be
Your Excellency's ob't serv't,
JOSIAH H. BONNEY.
Page 4:
From the, "Annals of Iowa," beginning with a quote from the Senate Journal:
Your committee, after a careful examination, would recommend the following:
"IOWA.
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union."
Your committee further recommend [sic] the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House, jointly forward a copy of this report to M.B. Root, Keosauqua, Iowa, with instructions to place the inscription above recommended upon the block of marble by him prepared for the Washington Monument.
All of which is submitted.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, the senate concurred in the report of the committee.
Judge Wright informs us that while this matter was pending in the hands of the committee, he invited several gentlemen to suggest inscriptions for the Iowa stone, and that a large number were in consequence received and considered. Among others, the late Lieutenant Governor Enoch W. Eastman furnished three or four, including the one which was finally adopted. Judge Wright, however, is of the impression that the inscription as furnished by Governor Eastman was identical, or nearly so, with the quotation made by Mr. Lacey, but, owing to the requirements of space the wording was cut down as it now stands. For some time after the newspapers attributed the inscription to Judge Wright, an impression which he took every opportunity to counteract. The credit, and the sole credit as he informs us, of the thought embodied in this inscription, is due to Lieutenant Governor Eastman. Such facts are very apt to be forgotten in the lapse of years, where the history of a great State has not been written, and it is well to revert to original sources for correction information, as we have done in this instance.
December 5, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member Mike Easter for sponsoring this memorial and for calling to my attention the fact that the stone chosen as Iowa's contribution to the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. came from Moses Root's quarry in Van Buren County. At the bottom of this biography, I have transcribed information from the Iowa Senate Journal of 1850 about this stone and the inscription on it which was carved by Moses Root. This article is in the public domain.
December 4, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member ;) for providing the link to Moses' parents. I have never seen any documentation about who Moses' parents were, and even though he was a well-known stone carver in this area in the late 1800s, I have not been able to find an obituary for him. However, I see that these are the parents named for Moses in family trees in ancestry.com, and I accepted this edit.
In many cemeteries in southeastern Iowa, gravestones can be found with the signature of "M.B. Root," in the lower corner. Transcribed below is a short article from "The History of Wapello County, Iowa," published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1878, which is found in the public domain:
ROOT, MOSES B., proprietor of the marble-yard and works; born near Springfield, Mass, May 25, 1816; parents removed to Licking Co., Ohio, when he was about two years of age; in June, 1842, he came to Van Buren Co., Iowa; engaged in farming three years, then commenced the marble business at Keosauqua; came to Ottumwa in 1860. Married Elizabeth Howard in March 1841; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have had five children; lost one son and a daughter; Howard died in 1846, and Mary died in 1851; those living are Frank L., Addie H., and Ettie L. Members of the Congregational Church.
An article published on Moses and Elizabeth's son, F.L. Root, in the "History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II," published by The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1914, states that Moses B. Root was born in Ohio. The article further states that Moses married Elizabeth A. Howard in his native state.
---------------
Pieces of Iowa's Past
February 12, 2020, Page 3:
Senate Journal
Journal of the Senate
[Written Signature of W. Penn. Clarke]
OF THE
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
STATE OF IOWA.
BEGUN AND HELD AT IOWA CITY, ON MONDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1850; BEING THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
IOWA CITY:
PALMER & PAUL STATE PRINTERS
1850.
IOWA CITY, November 30th, 1850.
To his Excellency, Ansel Briggs, Governor, of Iowa:
The undersigned, appointed by your Excellency an agent to procure a suitable block of marble or other stone, to be furnished by the State of Iowa, for the Washington Monument, would respectfully report–That after having examined all the quarries in the State now worked, from which it was supposed such stone could be obtained, succeeded in procuring a block of the proper dimensions from the quarry of Moses B. Root, of Van Buren county.
The stone is now at the shop of Mr. Root, in Keosauqua, blocked out of the proper size and shape, ready to be finished in such manner and with such inscription thereon, as the General Assembly may direct.
Mr. Root looks to the liberality of the General Assembly for such compensation for his services in this matter as they may think him entitled.
I have to honor to be
Your Excellency's ob't serv't,
JOSIAH H. BONNEY.
Page 4:
From the, "Annals of Iowa," beginning with a quote from the Senate Journal:
Your committee, after a careful examination, would recommend the following:
"IOWA.
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union."
Your committee further recommend [sic] the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House, jointly forward a copy of this report to M.B. Root, Keosauqua, Iowa, with instructions to place the inscription above recommended upon the block of marble by him prepared for the Washington Monument.
All of which is submitted.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, the senate concurred in the report of the committee.
Judge Wright informs us that while this matter was pending in the hands of the committee, he invited several gentlemen to suggest inscriptions for the Iowa stone, and that a large number were in consequence received and considered. Among others, the late Lieutenant Governor Enoch W. Eastman furnished three or four, including the one which was finally adopted. Judge Wright, however, is of the impression that the inscription as furnished by Governor Eastman was identical, or nearly so, with the quotation made by Mr. Lacey, but, owing to the requirements of space the wording was cut down as it now stands. For some time after the newspapers attributed the inscription to Judge Wright, an impression which he took every opportunity to counteract. The credit, and the sole credit as he informs us, of the thought embodied in this inscription, is due to Lieutenant Governor Eastman. Such facts are very apt to be forgotten in the lapse of years, where the history of a great State has not been written, and it is well to revert to original sources for correction information, as we have done in this instance.
December 4, 2021: Thank you to findagrave member ;) for providing the link to Moses' parents. I have never seen any documentation about who Moses' parents were, and even though he was a well-known stone carver in this area in the late 1800s, I have not been able to find an obituary for him. However, I see that these are the parents named for Moses in family trees in ancestry.com, and I accepted this edit.
In many cemeteries in southeastern Iowa, gravestones can be found with the signature of "M.B. Root," in the lower corner. Transcribed below is a short article from "The History of Wapello County, Iowa," published by the Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1878, which is found in the public domain:
ROOT, MOSES B., proprietor of the marble-yard and works; born near Springfield, Mass, May 25, 1816; parents removed to Licking Co., Ohio, when he was about two years of age; in June, 1842, he came to Van Buren Co., Iowa; engaged in farming three years, then commenced the marble business at Keosauqua; came to Ottumwa in 1860. Married Elizabeth Howard in March 1841; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have had five children; lost one son and a daughter; Howard died in 1846, and Mary died in 1851; those living are Frank L., Addie H., and Ettie L. Members of the Congregational Church.
An article published on Moses and Elizabeth's son, F.L. Root, in the "History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II," published by The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1914, states that Moses B. Root was born in Ohio. The article further states that Moses married Elizabeth A. Howard in his native state.
---------------
Pieces of Iowa's Past
February 12, 2020, Page 3:
Senate Journal
Journal of the Senate
[Written Signature of W. Penn. Clarke]
OF THE
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE
STATE OF IOWA.
BEGUN AND HELD AT IOWA CITY, ON MONDAY, THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1850; BEING THE THIRD REGULAR SESSION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
IOWA CITY:
PALMER & PAUL STATE PRINTERS
1850.
IOWA CITY, November 30th, 1850.
To his Excellency, Ansel Briggs, Governor, of Iowa:
The undersigned, appointed by your Excellency an agent to procure a suitable block of marble or other stone, to be furnished by the State of Iowa, for the Washington Monument, would respectfully report–That after having examined all the quarries in the State now worked, from which it was supposed such stone could be obtained, succeeded in procuring a block of the proper dimensions from the quarry of Moses B. Root, of Van Buren county.
The stone is now at the shop of Mr. Root, in Keosauqua, blocked out of the proper size and shape, ready to be finished in such manner and with such inscription thereon, as the General Assembly may direct.
Mr. Root looks to the liberality of the General Assembly for such compensation for his services in this matter as they may think him entitled.
I have to honor to be
Your Excellency's ob't serv't,
JOSIAH H. BONNEY.
Page 4:
From the, "Annals of Iowa," beginning with a quote from the Senate Journal:
Your committee, after a careful examination, would recommend the following:
"IOWA.
Her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union."
Your committee further recommend [sic] the adoption of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House, jointly forward a copy of this report to M.B. Root, Keosauqua, Iowa, with instructions to place the inscription above recommended upon the block of marble by him prepared for the Washington Monument.
All of which is submitted.
On motion of Mr. Lewis, the senate concurred in the report of the committee.
Judge Wright informs us that while this matter was pending in the hands of the committee, he invited several gentlemen to suggest inscriptions for the Iowa stone, and that a large number were in consequence received and considered. Among others, the late Lieutenant Governor Enoch W. Eastman furnished three or four, including the one which was finally adopted. Judge Wright, however, is of the impression that the inscription as furnished by Governor Eastman was identical, or nearly so, with the quotation made by Mr. Lacey, but, owing to the requirements of space the wording was cut down as it now stands. For some time after the newspapers attributed the inscription to Judge Wright, an impression which he took every opportunity to counteract. The credit, and the sole credit as he informs us, of the thought embodied in this inscription, is due to Lieutenant Governor Eastman. Such facts are very apt to be forgotten in the lapse of years, where the history of a great State has not been written, and it is well to revert to original sources for correction information, as we have done in this instance.
