Charles W. Mote, the enterprising farmer and patriotic citizen whose labors have resulted in great good in the line of development in Nez Perces County, resides about four miles southwest from Forest, on a farm which he secured through homestead right, and which his industry and thrift have cultivated and improved in a commendable manner.
Charles W. Mote was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, on June 20, 1850. His father, Jacob C, was a farmer, born in Darke County, Ohio, on October 27, 1827, and was a pioneer in southwestern Missouri. He was a confederate soldier under General Greene. He married Rachel, the daughter of John and Mary Jane Cline, and she died on April 15, 1876. They had one child besides our subject, Emma F. Worthington. Our subject’s grandfather was born in Ohio, and his father was born in England.
Charles W. worked for his parents until twenty-two and in 1878 he went by ship to Nino, California. One year later he went to Siskiyou County and dairied six years and also packed to the mines some. On October 19, 1885, Mr. Mote married Miss Lida A., daughter of Henry C. and Hannah Cory. The father was born in Indiana on January 24, 1829, and his father, Daniel F. Cory, was born in Ohio. Henry C. Cory died July 1, 1802 and his wife May 9, 1895. Besides Mrs. Mote, they had the following named children: Mary E. Walker, born December 24. 1850 (Mr. Walker was in the Illinois Infantry during the Rebellion); Lesius H. born December 10, 1852, a graduate of the Springfield Academy: Aaron E., born January 28, 1855, a miller: Elsja M., born January 20, 1857, a pioneer in Spokane: Susa L. Davidson, born January 15, 1859: William E., born April 12, 1861; Elda E. Estes, born September 1, 1865: Ina A. Denny, born January 12, 1870; Daniel F. born August 20, 1873. He was a regular at Vancouver for three years, and was on the Oregon at the time the Spanish fleet was captured.
Our subject and his wife landed in Union County, Oregon, on November 1, 1885, and he farmed there for a decade. On December 4, 1895, he came to his present place, which has been the family home since that time. One child has been born to them, Cory A., born February 14, 1890.
Mr. Mote is a member of the M. W. A., and in political matters is a Republican.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903