Biographies | 1896 Bios
John Emanuel Motz
Mr. Motz was born in Woodward, Haynes township, Center county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of October, 1822, a son of James and Rebecca (Mark) Motz, also natives of the Keystone State, born in the same township where our subject's birth occurred. After the father's death, at the age of forty-four years, the mother remarried, and passed away in Guthrie Center, well advanced in years. John E. was one of a family of seven children and under the parental roof remained until reaching man's estate. He had but limited educational advantages, pursuing his studies in the subscription schools, and learned the tailor's trade with his father, which occupation he followed for some years. Later he opened a restaurant, and finally engaged in general merchandising, beginning business with a capital of $300 and good credit, but owing to the mismanagement of his partner the venture proved a failure, though Mr. Motz paid off every dollar of the indebtedness. He was also Postmaster of Woodward for seven years.
In 1859 Mr. Motz went to Ohio to visit an aunt who had promised him assistance in starting again, but seeing the country, he decided it was too old and would require too much capital to put in a salable stock, and so he determined to come to Iowa. At four o'clock on the 24th of April, 1860, he arrived in Guthrie Center, very much discouraged at the prospects, the country being mostly virgin prairie. He had lost $2,600 on his Eastern property and on reaching this place had only $250. The family moved into a little cabin with one window of two panes of glass and a leaky roof. He began work at his trade, but soon went to Des Moines and invested his money in a stock of goods. His brother, Daniel L., who had accompanied him, possessed $100. which capital they invested in a brick building, 22 x 36 feet, and two stories in height, being the first brick business building in Guthrie county. This they filled with general merchandise, and thus our subject obtained a start in this locality. He purchased his brother's interest soon after the latter entered the army, in 1861, and from that time Mr. Motz has steadily prospered, being to-day the heaviest tax-payer in Guthrie Center, where he at one time owned thirteen buildings, and at the present time still has nine. In 1881, at a cost of $20,000, he erected the Opera Block, which required 428,000 bricks.
During the war there was a local fight on the location of the county-seat of Guthrie county, which was then Guthrie Center; but as the western portion of the county had sent the first company of one hundred men-mostly voters-to the war, this weakened the vote to the extent that the eastern portion, representing the relocation at Panora, had the balance of power and consequently the county-seat was moved there. Mr. Motz, being public-spirited, at once pledged a suitable building for the county offices if the seat of government should be returned to Guthrie Center. This cost him $1,200, but secured its return. While the offices were located in his building the new court-house, just about completed, was destroyed by fire, believed to have been the work of incendiaries. Mr. Motz then took a contract to build another one, agreeing to receive such means as the commissioners could furnish and carry the balance until the county could pay it. In this enterprise he lost $2,600 besides his own and his brother's labor during the entire time the building was in progress. He was also injured while at work on the county house, from which he has never recovered, though he has spent a great deal of money in treatment.
Mr. Motz was truly loyal to his Government during the Civil war, purchasing at one time two hundred stand of muskets to arm a couple of companies of militia to suppress local disturbances. At that time he was Postmaster of Guthrie Center, but on the election of President Johnson he resigned. Since 1860 he has been constantly engaged in mercantile pursuits, being now associated with two brothers-in-law .named Stover. Besides carrying on general merchandising they are also extensively interested in farming, having some 600 acres of fine land, half of which adjoins the town site. Mr. Motz also has land in his own name aside from his company interests. This firm operates two stores in Guthrie Center and one at Wichita, the latter being a general stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, queensware and everything needed to supply the wants of farmer customers.
In Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, Mir. Motz was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Stover, who was born in Haynes township, that county, and is four years her husband's junior. Six children were born to them, but only three are now living: Montgomery, at home; Grant, who is employed by his father; and Juniata, also at home. Alice died at the age of eighteen years, and two died in childhood.
Mr. Motz has always been influential in the business and political affairs of the community, and was a zealous worker for the railroad, which was constructed largely by private contributions and public taxation. He subscribed $900 besides paying his share of the firm's taxes, which amounted to $2,600. Politically he and his sons are Republican, while religiously himself, wife and son, Grant, hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family is both widely and favorably known in the county and is held in the highest regard. Mr. Motz has traveled quite extensively over his native land, visiting the East and also the Pacific coast. The journey to the latter, being a pleasure trip, in 1885, is now recalled as one of the bright spots in his memory. He was accompanied by some neighboring friends, and in the entire excursion traveled over 6,500 miles, visiting all of the important points of interest. He has done much towards advancing the best interests of Guthrie Center as well as the entire county, aiding in every worthy enterprise, and deserves to be ranked among her popular and representative citizens.
A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company 1896, pg. 482.