Biography of Moses B. Willis, pages 949 / 950.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Moses B. Willis, dealer in books, stationery and notions, Auburn, was born 
in Salina, Oneida Co., N.Y., Nov. 8, 1839, a son of Henry and Emeline 
(Hewitt) Willis.  In 1843 his parents moved to Indiana and settled in 
Richland Township, De Kalb County, where he was reared on a farm, receiving 
his education in the district schools, with the exception of two terms at 
high school in Orland, Steuben County, and two at Auburn, De Kalb County. In 
the winters of 1859 and 1860 he taught two terms in Jackson and Fairfield 
Townships. In September,1861, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana 
Infantry for three years, and served a few days over four years, having 
veteranized in February, 1864.  He enlisted as a private, but was appointed 
Third Sergeant, and April 17, 1863, was promoted to Second Lieutenant.  
Owing to the depleted condition of his regiment he was not mustered in as 
Lieutenant, but Jan. 16, 1865, he was commissioned Captain, the regiment 
having been filled up with recruits.  He was muster out in September,1865.  
He participated in the battle of  Shiloh, where he was slightly wounded, 
siege of Corinth, in the march from Corinth to Battle Creek, Tenn,. where 
they remained about a month, and they joined the race between Generals 
Buell and Bragg to Louisville.  Afterward participated in the battles of 
Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others.  After the battle at 
Mission Ridge his regiment was stationed at Chattanooga on guard duty, 
where they remained till their discharge, and during their stay at 
Chattanooga, on June 17, 1865, he was detailed as a member of a general 
court-martial for the trial of several cases, and served as president of 
the court until detailed by order of General Thomas, on June 26, 1865, to 
act as Inspector of the Second Brigade, First Separate Division, Army of 
the Cumberland, which position he filled until the brigade was broken up, 
when he again returned to and took charge of his company, with which he 
remained until they were mustered out.  After his return home he followed 
agricultural pursuits in Richland Township till the spring of 1875, when 
he went to Waterloo and engaged with his father and brother in the notions 
business, retiring from the firm in the fall of 1877, when he came to 
Auburn and became established in he present business. He was married Nov. 
9, 1865, to Miss E.J., daughter of L.D. Britton, of Corunna.  They have 
three children---Marion B, Lewis H. and Nettie B.  Politically he is a 
Republican.  He and his wife and daughter are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com