Biography - James Moore
JAMES O. MOORE, who has resided on his present farm, which is located in Burnside Township, Johnson County, for the past ten years, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in October, 1848. He is a son of Leroy and Martha (Gordon) Moore, both natives of Tennessee, and the former a farmer by occupation. The father of Leroy Moore was Isaac Moore, a native of North Carolina, who also followed agricultural pursuits. He removed to Tennessee with his family when that State was nothing but a wilderness, and settled on the tablelands of the Cumberland Mountains on a new farm, upon which he lived the rest of his life, and there died. He left six sons and two daughters, of whom Leroy was the youngest son. Isaac Moore died at about eighty years of age, his wife having died a short time previously, at nearly the same age. Leroy was a farmer of Tennessee; his wife died at about forty-two years of age, leaving a family of ten children, of whom James was the youngest. He was reared by a step-mother, whose name was Mary Armstrong in her maidenhood; she had several children, but only one of them reached maturity, Francis. The father of these children died in Tennessee in 1864, aged about sixty years, and his widow is probably still living in Texas. He was at one time well-to-do, but in later years lost much of his property.
James O. Moore was reared at home until he was fifteen years of age, but had limited opportunities for securing an education, these being in the subscription schools of his day. He began life for himself at the above-mentioned age, working on the farm by the month. When he was sixteen years old, in August, 1863, he came to Illinois with the family of Jesse Van, who settled near New Burnside. He lived with them some four months and then went to Pope County, there working for a Mr. Davis at $15 per month. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. W. R. Floyd, and served six months in the ranks and was mustered out in November, 1864. He was sick in the hospital with the measles, and when he returned home it was with health greatly impaired.
Mr. Moore returned to the home of Robert Davis, with whom he lived and worked until the 23d of September, 1866, when he was united in marriage with Lutetia Marshall, daughter of William and Rebecca (Hern) Marshall, who came, it is believed, from Alabama to southern Illinois in the year 1832, where this daughter was born. Mr. Moore began on a rented farm in the northeast corner of Johnson County and continued to rent for fifteen years with but few removals. He bought his first farm for $1,800 in 1880. It lies near the village of Ozark, and contains eighty acres of finely improved land, on which they are still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have lost one son and two daughters; Florence, who died in 1881, aged three years; Leroy, who died in 1881, aged thirteen years, and Martha, who died in September, 1883, aged seven years. They have one son and one daughter living, viz: Thomas, born in March, 1870, and Amanda, in February, 1872, both of whom are living at home on the farm and being educated in the district schools. Mr. Moore has served the township as Commissioner of Highways, as School Trustee and as Director for many years. He has always voted the Republican ticket, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Moore has been in frail health ever since he came from the army and is now receiving a pension as a reward for his services. He carries on general farming in crops and stock, although he is practically retired, his son attending to the farm. Considering the circumstances of his life, his poor health, etc., he has been successful, and does not regret the severe trials he has undergone.
Extracted 31May 2002 by Rick Girtman from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 402-403.
