Israel T. Moore

As printed in 1906

ISRAEL T. MOORE, president 5) of The Commercial Bank, of Lima, a distinguished survivor of the great Civil War, and essentially a self-made man, was born February 9, 1831, in Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew P. and Elizabeth (McTaggert) Moore.

The father of our subject was born in New Jersey, came subsequently to Ohio and was a large farmer and stock raiser. In 1834 he removed to Allen County and there reared his family of nine children.

Israel T. was three years old when the family settled in Allen County and he grew to the age of 13 years on the farm, attending the local schools, and then the family moved to Franklin, Warren County. In 1846 Israel T. Moore returned to Allen County, and _ here learned the trade of cabinet-making; but, finding the field well occupied in this line, in the following year he went to Cincinnati in search of a better business opening. There he engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, finding a position just in time to save himself from want, as when he landed in that city from the canalboat his capital consisted of just 25 cents. His salary of $5 a month was not very generous, but it carried some perquisites with it and he very soon found his salary increased to $7 per month.

In the meantime an uncle, who was a capitalist, had watched the young man with interest. When he found him thoroughly reliable and hard-working, he consented to loan him the sum of $200, to enable him to go into business with Joseph Cunningham. The partnership was formed, the grocery business was established and for two years it was successfully carried on. Then a fire came and they lost all they possessed. Although this was naturally a bitter experience, Mr. Moore did not lose heart but courageously and immediately went to work again as a clerk, commanding now $28 a month, and held his position for two years, managing during this time to save the amount he had borrowed from his uncle, which he repaid with interest.

Mr. Moore continued in the grocery and produce business with his brother on Ninth street, Cincinnati, for some years, the firm being known as Moore Brothers. Two years later his brother William opened up a branch store at South Warsaw, while our subject continued the business in Cincinnati until 1855, when he sold out and joined his brother at South Warsaw. The business was continued here for a time and then they disposed of it and went into the stock business, later becoming interested extensively in real estate. Mr. Moore purchased a tract of 1o acres of land for his own use, later added 30 acres and still later 80 acres. While he had prospered in material ways, the young man felt the need of wider mental qualifications, and as he had accumulated enough capital to allow him to give up business for a while, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, where he remained two terms, during this time he secured the position of teacher in the lower grades, which enabled him to pay for his own tuition.

In 1861, when the country was convulsed in the throes of the great Civil War, he felt the loyal enthusiasm of the time and was not slow to enlist in his country’s defense. He entered Company D, 54th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private, on September 10, 1861, and wore the Union blue until the close of strife in His rise from

1865. the ranks was rapid, passing quickly through the lower grades to st lieutenant, then to captain, later to major and during the last two years before his honorable discharge he was lieutenant-colonel, most of the time having command above his rank. At one time he had command of the goth Illinois in addition to his own regiment, and at another time his

HISTORY OF ALLENS COUNT Yi command included, besides his own regiment, a troop of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. During his whole period he served under but two of the great commanders—Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. It is unnecessary to state that Colonel Moore took part in the hardest fought and most decisive battles of that great war. Without enumerating any of the skirmishes, he has 27 battles to his credit, his personal valor in these resulting in his promotion to the important rank of which he attained. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a body of men which will be respected as long as one hoary head is left. He helped to organize the society of the Army of the Tennessee at Raleigh, North Carolina. Patriotic Americans, while proud of the achievements of the younger generation, can never forget that to the “Boys of ’61” we are indebted for the peace and prosperity of the present.

After the close of the war, Colonel Moore came to Lima, and for the two following years he was engaged by a business firm of the city as bookkeeper. In 1870 the three brothers— Israel T., William and Henrv Moore—combined their capital and embarked in a dry goods business which they carried on through one year. They then disposed of their dry goods line and Israel T. and William engaged in the grocery business. The grocery business succeeded from the first, our subject being a practical man in that line and they enlarged until they had an extensive wholesale as well as retail business. This they successfully carried on for a period of 10 years, when they closed the retail department and for the next Io years did only a wholesale business. In 1891 the death of William Moore brought changes, our subject buying his interest and the business was continued as a stock company for the next eleven years. No longer having need to accumulate, Colonel Moore then retired from the business and spent some time looking after his many investments and in recreations which his former busy life left him no time to enjoy.

In 1904, however, Colonel Moore once more entered the business field, this time as a banker, becoming the president of The Commercial Bank, of Lima. Of this institution his son Harry M. Moore is the cashier and Clem S. Baxter is assistant cashier. Mr. Moore’s reputation and known conservative methods have resulted favorably for this financial institution, which enjoys a well-deserved prosperity.

Colonel Moore was united in marriage with Mary S. Metheany, who is a daughter of the late Robert Metheany, and they have had eight children, five of whom are now living and well established in life, one son, as noted above, being with his father in the bank. The family residence is located at No. 545 West Market street, Lima, one of the old, comfortable homes of this choice locality. Colonel Moore with his family attends the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is prominently identified with the Republican party as far as influence goes, but he is not a politician in the common acceptance of the term. In fraternal life he has long been a member of the Odd Fellows.

Few citizens of Lima enjoy in greater degree the esteem of his fellow-citizens than does Colonel Moore. In him they recognize the able business man, the brave and loyal soldier and the good citizen, one whose life holds special interest for those who, left as he was, to fight almost alone in early youth, conquered through manliness and courage. He has always shown an interest in young men, and on more than one occasion his practical advice has been accompanied by financial assistance.

As printed in History of Allen county, Ohio and representative citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.