John was the oldest of three children born to John Moose and Catherine Margaret (Kelly) Moose. He married Susan Rebecca Artz in 1866 and they had eleven children: Alice Henrietta, William Baxter, Jason Hugh, John Gilbert, Sarah Catherine, Frances Marie, Ellen Julia, Boyd Artz, Mabel Louise, Ernest Reiter and George Kelley.

John was a Confederate Veteran: Company H, 8th NC Infantry. He was wounded twice in 1864, resulting in the amputation of his left arm.

(upon the death of John Hugh Moose, the following obituary appeared in the office paper of the Reformed Church in North Carolina)

Elder John Hugh Moose, of the Bear Creek Congregation, North Carolina Classis, passed over into life eternal January 12, 1925. Elder Moose had lived 70 years. He was of Reformed stock such as were pioneers in North Carolina. he served in the Confederate Army and lost an arm in the carnage of war.
After the War, he married Miss Rebecca Artz, daughter of a pioneer Lutheran minister in North Carolina. Six sons and five daughters were born to this union, nine of whom survive. Elder Moose had but little inheritance of earthly goods, but a valuable inheritance in the Christian life. Out of the little income he saw fit to support the Church and all the interest of the Kingdom, purchased some good books, and The Reformed Church history, knew many of the leaders of the Church by name, and was personally acquainted with those who visited the Church in North Carolina. He frequently attend the session of the Classis, both as a delegate and a visitor.
That which lay nearest his heart was the Nazareth Orphans' Home at Crescent (N.C.). He was a member of the Board of Managers from 1903 to 1912 and Treasurer during this period. He was Assistant to the Superintendent from 1908-1909. The Board was in session when informed of his death and passed suitable resolutions which were read by Supt. McNairy at the funeral service. Though his earthly possessions are little, he left a small amount to the Home as a permanent endowment.
Funeral services were conducted from his home and at Bear Creek Church, January 13, by his Pastor, Rev. C. W. Warlick, assisted by Revs.. W. H. McNairy, and W. C. Lyerly, former pastors; and two ministers from the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches. Truly a father of the Church, as well as the father of a family, has passed. But there are many who will rise up and call him Blessed.