The Moore Families of Washington County, Iowa

WILLIAM MOORE, residing on section 33, Washington Township, is well known to almost every citizen. Since a boy he has been known as Uncle Bill- Moore. He is now one of the oldest living settlers of Washington County. He was born in Putnam County, Ind., Aug. 27, 1826, and when but ten years of age came with his parents to this county, where he has since continued to reside, with the exception of two years spent in Henry County, Iowa. The educational advantages enjoyed by him were very meagre indeed. In the early days there was no free school, and as settlements in a new country were few and far between, and but few scholars could be gathered together in any neighborhood, it may well be understood that first-class teachers could not usually be employed. A subscription was usually started, and as much as possible raised for the employment of a teacher, and in these subscription schools, as they were known, he obtained the rudiments of an English education. Shortly after coming to this county his mother gave n)her kitchen for school purposes, and in his father's house was taught the first term of school in Washington Township, Tohn Embrey being the first teacher, and receiving >il() i)er month. In tills new country William.Moore grew to maMliood. and in 18.53 was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia A. Tiiompson, a native of Putnam County, Ind., born in 1834. She w.as left an orphan at a very early age. By this union there are ten children: Richard F., of Washington; Martha A., the wife of Ezra Eckerman,of.Saunders County, Neb.; James L., of this county; Charles G., Ret)ecca E., Jlary.1., Margaret A.; Arab Almira died in the spring of 1885, of consumption, at the age of fifteen years; Jesse T. and Dolly Belle, at home. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moore united with the Christian Church, and of the congregation in the township of Marion, Mr. Moore has now been an Elder for thirty years. In the work of the (Jhurch he has always taken a special delight, and h.as given much of his time and means for the advancement of the cause. He is enthusiastic in the work, and is well posted in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament. He is ever ready to give a reason for the faith that is in him. It can truly be said of Mr. Moore that he has been an eye witness and participant in all the changes that have occurred in transforming the wilderness into a fertile country, which now "blossoms as the rose." It ij a pleasure to him to recall pioneer days, and in all pioneer gatherings he is the center of a group of friends. Like his father before him, he is hospitable in the extreme, and takes great delight in entertaining his friends.

ellARLES MILLER resides upon section 4, Marion Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Susquehanna County, Pa., born in 1814, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Miller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ireland. When Charles was seven years old his father moved to Wayne County, (Jhio, and there cleared a farm In the heavy timber. As soon as old enough he was required to.assist his father in the cultivation of the soil.

Wiieii nineteen years of age our subject went to Pltlslmrgh, Pa., where he commenced to learn the harness trade, but remained only one year, going from there to a brother residing in Franklin County, Pa., and then returning linie, where he remained till twenty-five years of age. He then went to Henderson County, Ky., where he was four or five years engaged in working on the locks in Oreen River. From Henderson County he went to Warren County, Kj where he helped construct a lock on Barren River, near Bowling Green, and was there some three years. Again returning to Wayne County, Ohio, he remained till 1856, employed principally in teaming and as a day laborer.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANSON MOORE was among the pioneers of iS/OII Washington County and located land here in 1840. He was born in Hartford County, Conn., Dec. '23, 1800. His father was Joseph Moore, who was a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting when he w.as but si.teen years old. His mother's maiden name was Alcinda Adams, and both were natives of Connecticut. In 1818 this couple sought a fairer field in the then distant West, and settled in Trumbull County, Ohio, where, with the assistance of his sons, and after years of hard labor, the elder Moore succeeded in clearing up a home in the wilderness. He and his wife, who had lived together for more than half a century, were the parents of eleven children, of whom but two are now living, namely: Pluma, the widow of Milton Walters, who resides in Ohio, and Anson, the subject of this biographical notice.

In his youth Anson acquired a fair education. In 1830 he was married to Lucia iMeacham, born in Trumbull County in 1809. A few years later he determined to join the tide of emigration flocking West, and in 1840 came to Washington County to locate a home. Having done so he returned East, and the following spring brought his family to his location, adjoining Brighton on the west. Here he found ample employment at his trade of carpenter and joiner, putting up many of the best buildings in the village and surrounding country, and at the same time running a small farm. Mr. Moore was an old-line Whig, and naturally became a Republiciin on the orgaiiizatiuu of that party. Foi two years before leaving Oliio lie was a Justice of the Peace, resigning when he left. Soon after coming here he was elected to the sa.'ne position, which he has filled continuously ever since, with the exception of one year when he refused to act, and is today one of tiio oldest Justices in the State, having served for forty-seven years. He is well read and thoroughly jiostod in public affairs.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In 18G1, our subject enlisted in Co. E, lotli Iowa Vol. Inf., and served with the regiment as a private until after the battle of Corinlh, when he was discharged on account of di.sense ct)tracted while ill the service. Recovering his health, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Co. B, 22d Iowa Wol. Inf., serving with this regiment until the close of the war, and being mustered out at Davenport. Returning from the army, he settled in Richmond, Washington County, where lie worked fourteen years for Alex Cibson on a farm. He then went to Indi.ana to visit his sister who w.is teaching in the schools of Indianapolis.

While in Indiana, on the 2'2d of December, 1876, Mr. L. was married to Lucinda Johns, a native of Noble County, that Stjite. They have had five children, four of whom are living — Wyatt, RoUo, Orville and Wealthie. Lettie May is deceased. Mr.

Lowder is the owner of a residence and two lots in the village of West Chester. He is now drawing a

I pension from the General Government on account of his weak eyes, which were diseased while in the service.

Township, is engaged in general farming and stock-raisiiii

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The early life of Robert was spent on a farm, and attending the district schools of that day. He remained at home until twenty-eight years of age, and was then united in marriage with Miss J. McClintock. a native of Licking County, Ohio, born Feb. 28, 1824, and daughter of John and Mary (Fulton) McClintock. They were natives of Pennsylvania and settled in Licking County, Ohio, about the year 1820. They wore the parents of eight children, of whom six are living: Fliza, the wife of Calvin Johnson, a farmer residing in Piige County, Iowa; Nancy, the widow of Josiah <Jregory, lives in Burlington, Kan.; Jane, the wife of our subject; J.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS MORGAN MOORE, deceased, was formerly a well-known resident of Iowa Township. The father of our subject, Henry Moore, was born in Holland and came to America about the year 1800, settling in New York State. He brought a large amount of money with him, and invested it in horses. As they were being shipped across Lake Geneva to market, the boat was wrecked and all the horses perished. Thus, at one venture went all the cash of the sturdy Hollander, who had emigrated to this country hoping to make a fortune. The box in which his money was kept while crossing the ocean, is now in the possession of his grantldaugliter, Miss Fllsie Moore, wlm furnishes the facts relative to the family history.

Ilcnry Moore was twice married, and had two sons and two daughters by his first wife, of whom but little account can be given. William Moore, his son, was quite a noted man in New Haven, Ohio, where he was the owner of a large tannery, a store, and a boot and shoe manufactory; John, another son, was a cooper and farmer, residing in the same State; Sarah A., a daughter, married Jason Ames, a shoemaker, who removed to Charlotte, Mich., and died in that place; Mary wedded George (iardiner, a trade of New Haven. After the <death of his first wife, Henry Moore married Mrs. Hannah (Lockwood) Brown, who by her first husband was the mother of one son, Lucius, deceased, who was a business man in New Haven. They were married in New York, and thence emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where a farm was purchased, upon which the father died soon after their arrival. Their family consisted of Maria, Thomas, Hannah, George and Vhtuhe.

MKl'Hehry Moore died in Illinois, at the home of her dgjighter, Maria, who wed(icd Harry Steward, then a farmer of Kendall County, Ill., but now a resident of Ford County. 111. They left Ohio in 1842, sMwl were followed the next year by Thomas, who'also settled in that county. He was at that time the husband of Mary Troup, born near Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa. Her parents, Rachel and George Troup, came to Licking County, Ohio, when she was eight years of age. They later removed to Van Wert, Ohio, where the parents died. They left a family of fifteen children, some of whom died in infancy. Those who lived to maturity were, Isaac, Abram, Philip, Jacob, John, Peter, George, Mary A., Margaret, Lavina and Andrew, all of whom are residents of Phillips County, Kan., and are wealthy and prosperous citizens of that State.

Eleven years after settling in Illinois, Thomas Moore emigrated to Iowa, settling on the farm now the property of his daughter Elsie. This he entered in 1854, and erected his house two years later. Every improvement necessary to make a fine farm, was done by him during his lifetime, and although engrossed with the cares of farm life, he accepted the office of County Supervisor at an early day. and served as such for several years. B3' trade, he was a shoemaker, having followed that business for seventeen years in Ohio, and being an expert at the trade, but made shoes only for his own family and a few of the neighliors after coming to Iowa.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRY G. MOORE.

Harry G. Moore, founder and promoter of the Wellman Savings Bank, and a prominent representative of financial interests in Washington county, has, in an active and useful life fraught with success, manifested much of the spirit of the initiative. He has quickly recognized opportunities and moreover, has displayed ability in coordinating forces whereby practical results have been achieved and business enterprise has been advanced.

Mr. Moore is a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, born October 28, 1860. His father, Ephraim Moore, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and was of German descent. He learned and followed the carpenter's trade, being thus identified with building interests in Iowa in early manhood. He had come to this state in his childhood days with a brother, settling in Burlmgton, and it was there that he acquainted himself with carpentering. He afterward spent ten years in the mines of California and was quite successful in his search for gold on the Pacific coast. Returning by way of New York he again made his way westward to Burlington, where he remained until 1858, when he went to Kansas, where he met and married Miss Margaret Gwin. For a number of years he continued a resident of the Sunflower state, but in 1875 returned to Burlington, where he spent his remaining days. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an active worker for its growth and upbuilding. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and in his political views was an earnest republican. He held minor civil offices and was a member of the border militia at Leavenworth at the time of the Civil war. His life was one of activity, and his enterprise and determination were the salient features in the success which he enjoyed. He died in Burlington in 1878, at the age of fifty years. His wife was born in Washington county, Iowa, in April, 1845, and is a daughter of Richard Gwin, a native of England, who came to the United States when a young man and first settled in \*virginia. Subsequently he became a resident of Tennessee. He married Miss Nancy Watkins, of English descent, who lived in Kentucky at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gwin, removing to Iowa in 1840, settled in Washington county their home being in English River township. He entered a tract of land there from the government and although not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made thereon at the time, he transferred the wild land into productive fields and resided there for eighteen years. He then went to Kansas, where he spent his remaining days. He and his wife were among the earliest settlers of Washington county and of the state and were closely connected with the substantial development of southeastern Iowa. Their daughter Margaret became the wife of Ephraim Moore, and they traveled life's journey together until separated by his death in 1878. There were two children of that marriage: Harry G.; and Isabel, now the wife of R. W. Barger, one of Chicago's prominent attorneys. Since the death of her first husband, Mrs. Moore has become the wife of Dr. B. F. Parker, to whom she gave her hand in 1892. They now reside in Independence, Missouri.

In the public schools of Olathe, Kansas, Harry G. Moore acquired his early education and continued his studies in the public schools and in the business college in Burlington. He afterward spent two years in the State University and for one year engaged in teaching school. During the periods of vacation he learned and followed the upholsterer's trade in Burlington, working in that line for some time in Burlington and in Des Moines. In 1885, however, he entered into active relations with the banking business, becoming connected with the Merchants National Bank of Des Moines in the capacity of clerk. His close application and the ability with which he discharged his duties won him promotion from time to time until he became assistant cashier of that institution. On the ist of April, 1888, he arrived in Wellman, where he established a private bank, which was designated as the Wellman Bank, and which had a continuous existence until September, 1889. He has organized a savings bank, with a capital of ten thousand dollars and is still engaged in the banking business as cashier of the Wellman Savings Bank. He has had almost a quarter of a century's experience in this field of labor and ranks with the leading financiers of the county, having intimate and comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of carrying on the business and supervising the interests of the depositors, while at the same time he wins success for the stockholders. In addition to his other business interests he is connected with the Wellman Telephone Exchange, of which he is the president and he also owns three hundred acres of valuable land in Lime Creek township.

On November 20, 1888, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Minnie B. Kerr, who was born in English River township, Washington county, in 1864. She is a daughter of W. E. and Violet (Bush) Kerr. Her father, well known as Squire Kerr, is one of Washington's most prominent citizens. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore has been born one child. Myrtle, whose birth occurred in September, 1890. She is a graduate of the Wellman high school of the class of 1907, and afterward pursued a year's course in St. Katherine's School for Young Ladies, at Davenport, while for the past year she has been a student in Oberlin College of Ohio. She has decided talent for music, which she is cultivating.

In his fraternal relations, Mr. Moore is a Knight of Pythias, while politically he is connected with the republican party and religiously with the Baptist church, being one of the trustees of the last named organization. His interest in community affairs has been far-reaching and beneficial. For about twenty years he has been president of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. He was mayor of Wellman for several terms, during which period his championship of various measures proved of decided benefit to the city. He is a strong advocate of reform and progress, at all times exerting his official prerogatives for the public good, and he is now a member of the town council. He has always taken a deep interest in political affairs and in everything relative to the city's upbuilding and is now chairman of the finance and water commissions. He was chairman of the county republican committee for some years and in that connection displayed excellent powers as a manager. He is president of the Wellman Commercial Club and in social relations his position is an enviable one. Energetic, prompt and notably reliable, he has placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of unfaltering industry and determination in the acquirement of success and in control of public affairs. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, his record is one which reflects credit upon the history of his adopted county.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.