Biography - William Moore
WILLIAM MOORE, a grocer at Vienna, is a native-born son of Johnson County, and is one of her successful business men, who has made his way from poverty to a well-assured financial position solely through his push and energy in the management of his affairs. He was born in Bloomfield Township, January 24, 1857, a son of John P. Moore, a patriotic soldier of the late war, who sacrificed his life for his country.
The father of our subject was born in Davidson County, Tenn., and was a son of Andrew Moore, who was a farmer of that State, and, so far as known, spent his entire life in Davidson County, he being a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of Tennessee. John Moore was a young man when he came to Illinois to cast in his lot with the pioneers of Johnson County. He bought a tract of timber land, and erected a log cabin for himself and his young wife, and in that humble abode their eldest son, of whom we write, was born. It was a primitive affair. The boards for the roof were split by hand and held in place by poles, and boards split by hand were used for the floor and doors; in fact, no sawed lumber entered into the construction of the building. The chimney was made of clay and sticks. Mr. Moore worked diligently to clear his land and place it under cultivation, but he finally laid aside his labors at the call of a higher duty, and in 1862 enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Infantry. He served with fidelity a year and a-half, and was then honorably discharged on account of disability. He returned home, but never recovered his health, remaining an invalid until his death in 1873, thus surrendering his life for the Union, for which he had so bravely fought. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary S. Braden, and who is thought to have been a native of Tennessee, survived him until February 10, 1889, and then she too passed away. They were the parents of six children: William, Sarah, Lucy, Nancy, John and Henry.
The subject of this biographical review being the eldest of the family had to shoulder the burdens of life early, as his father went to war when he was very young. He had but little opportunity to attend school, and his education has been mostly gained by experience and observation. The good mother was ever active in the interests of her home and children, and for some time they were neatly clad in home-spun, the work of her deft hands in carding, spinning and weaving.
In the meantime Mr. Moore bought forty acres of land, and in 1882 sold his crop and stock, and with the proceeds completed the payment, and then traded his land for an interest in a livery stable in Vienna. Later, in the same year, he exchanged his interest in the stable for a stock of groceries at Metropolis estimated to be worth $300. He removed the groceries to Vienna, and renting a small room, began his successful career. He now carries a large stock and commands a first-class trade. He is recognized as a thoroughly honest and trustworthy business man, whose word is as good as a bond, and his fellow-citizens bear him in great respect. In his political sympathies he is with the Republicans. Religiously, both he and his estimable wife are consistent members of the Congregational Church.
The marriage of Mr. Moore with Miss Nancy J. Boardman, who was born near Jonesboro, Union County, was solemnized July 7, 1878. It has been hallowed to them by the birth of three children: Ernest, Myrtle and Teddie.
Extracted 23 Apr 2016 from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 209-210.
