James Madison Moorman and his wife Cleora purchased the Sterling-Moorman house on Oct. 13, 1935 for $750 from a Bessie F. Dunham, who had sold it at a loss compared to the $1500 she paid the Webb family.

 

James Madison Moorman was born around 1876 in Virginia.  In the U.S Census for 1910 and 1920 he was living in Adams County in Washington State, farming near Cunningham, Washington.  By 1920 he was 45 years old; was married to Cleora and was the father of Virginia, Dorothy, Anabell and James Moorman Jr.  Cleora had been born in California about 1883 and was 37 years old in the 1920 census.

 

James had moved to Cheney partly to retire from farming, although he did work as a custodian at Cheney High School where his wife also taught as a teacher.  He worked there till the early 1960's when he finally retired.

 

James Moorman was a tall man who raised a large vegetable garden, along with his tulips, lilacs and roses.  Cleora was a petite woman who collected buttons and made patchwork quilts.  The Moormans were members of the Methodist church in Cheney.

 

James died in May 27, 1965 and his wife survived him by 15 years, passing away on April 3, 1980.  Cleora Moorman  deeded the property to her children James and Dorothy.   Dorothy Moorman Anderson retained ownership of the property until 2004.