J. W. Moorman, a substantial farmer of Camden Township, was born in Bedford County, Va., on November 30, 1843. He is the son of James M. and Mary G. (McDaniel) Moorman, both of whom were born in Bedford County, Va., the former on December 2, 1812, and the latter on August 15, 1817. The father was a farmer by vocation. He died on March 30, 1875. The mother now resides at Osborne, De Kalb Co., Mo. The paternal grandfather was John A. Moorman. J. W. was reared in Roanoke County, Va., going to New London, Campbell Co., Va., in 1859, and during boyhood he clerked in a store. He attended the schools of Roanoke County, Va., securing a good education. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army, joining Company D, Forty-second Regiment Virginia Infantry. He was captured at Spottsylvania Court House, and confined fourteen months in Fort Delaware. At the time of his capture he was lieutenant, and was acting as captain. After serving over four years in the war, he went to Roanoke County, and September 13, 1865, to Botetourt County, and there clerked in the store for the Blue Ridge Springs Company. In 1869 he immigrated to Clay County, Mo. Fourteen months later he removed to Clinton County, and five years later to De Kalb County, and located upon what is facetiously called "Rebel Hill" farm, where he now resides. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Arabella Rieley, who was born in Bedford County, Va., in 1847. She is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Arnold) Bieley. The father now resides in Bedford County. The mother died in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Moorman seven children have been born, viz.: Elizabeth R. (deceased), Mary G., Oscar W., Julius C., James M., Cora E. and George R. Mrs. Moorman is a member of the German Baptist Church.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 574.