From Fulton County, was born in Mecklenburgh County, Va., June 24, 1838. He is the second son of William A. Moody, who was born in Halifax County, Va., September 24, 1810.His mother's maiden name was Emily Royster. She was reared in Granville County, N.C.; she bore three children, two of whom are yet living: F. Berrian, at present editor of the Florida Baptist, and Joseph B., the subject of this sketch. The second wife of William A. Moody was Margaret A. Moseley of Mecklenburgh County, Va.; she bore seven children, viz.: William L., near Bowling Green, Ky.; Mrs. Thomas W. Penick of Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Frank Vaughan, of Christian County, Ky., James Edwin (now deceased), Maggie (unmarried), John Waller of Todd County, and Fleming of Lake City, Fla. The two families of Lemuel Moseley and William A. Moody removed to Christian County about the years 1844 and 1845. They settled between Fairview and Pembroke on adjoining farms. The death of the later occurred in 1860.
Joseph B. was educated at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. After a few years' teaching, he was compelled on account of his health to take up farming, which he prosecuted for ten years. He then removed to Louisville and became general agent of the Louisville Agricultural Works. This he continued for four years; then forming a partnership with W.B. Wootten of Hopkinsville, Ky., they opened a wholesale implement and seed store on Main Street, between Fourth and Fifth, Louisville, Ky., under the firm name of Moody & Wootten; then Moody, Wootten & Co., F.B. Moody having joined the co-partnership.
J.B., having a burning desire to enter the ministry, sold out his interest to his brother, and soon became pastor of the Pewee Valley Baptist Church, where his residence had been for eight years. He served the church for four years, during which time he also served the Elk Creek Church, in Spencer County, and La Grange Church, in Oldham County, each about three years, and also Harrod's Creek Church, Oldham County, about one year. He then became pastor of the First Baptist Church, Paducah, Ky., where he remained two years. He then became one of the editors of the Baptist Gleaner, Fulton, Ky., which connection he now sustains.
========== [From History of Kentucky, Edition 1, by J.H. Battle, W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffin, 1885. Fulton County section. Document provided by Ben Stratton, Farmington, KY. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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