moeck

Biography of GEORGE F. MOECK

GEORGE F. MOECK. No name in Rainier carries with it greater influence than does that of George F. Moeck, one of the most substantial and reliable of the German-Americans who have settled in this part of Columbia county. Mr. Moeck was born in that fertile and historical part of the empire of Germany known as Wurtemberg, March 25, 1837, his ancestors having lived in that principality for many years.

Equipped with a farm training and common school education, Mr. Moeck came to America when seventeen years of age, or in 1854, settling in Summit county, Ohio, where he found employment at divers occupations for four years. He then removed to Missouri and worked at coopering for two and a half years, and during the Pike�s Peak excitement became interested in mining in that region. Not entirely realizing his mining expectations he went to Montana in 1864, remaining in that state and mining with ups and downs of success and failure until 1871. After removing to Oregon he settled in Rainier, and in order to get a start and identify himself with the community worked in a sawmill for about a year. From that time until 1898 he was interested in a general merchandise business, after which he took up a homestead, added to it, and now owns four hundred and fifty acres of land adjoining Rainier. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, has made many fine improvements on his place, and at present has about forty-five acres under cultivation.

In 1892 Mr. Moeck laid out what is known as Moeck�s addition, and which comprises an important adjunct to the town. He has one of the finest and largest rural homes of this part of the county, and his home and farm have all of the advantages of the town and country, a truly unrivalled location. In 1873 Mr. Moeck was united in marriage with Margaret J. Gilbreath, who was born and reared in this county. She is the daughter of James C. and Sarah A. (Tigard) Gilbreath, natives of Washington county, Ark. After coming to Columbia county in 1852 they lived on their claim at Reuben on the Columbia. They have six children: William P., of Aberdeen, Wash.; Margaret J.; Cyrus H., in Alaska; Milton I., of Rainier; Emily A., wife of J. K. Bourne of Columbia county; and John C., of Rainier.

Mr. and Mrs. Moeck have six children: Elizabeth E., of Portland; Grace A., at home; George F., also at home; Anna K.; Mabel B.; and Marion C. Ever since his first voting days Mr. Moeck has taken an active interest in politics, and has never swerved from his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is active also fraternally, and has passed all of the chairs of the Masonic order. He is liberal in all of his tendencies, and is an enthusiastic advocate of the many opportunities for business and homemaking in this part of the great northwest. Mr. Moeck is held in high esteem by all who are privileged to associate with him in any capacity whatsoever.

From "Portrait and Biographical Record Of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon," "Containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present," "Chapman publishing Company, Chicago, 1903." Pages 719 and 720. This book is located at the Rainier, Oregon public library.

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