Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
James Moore
James Moore was born in Columbia County, Ga., June 15, 1798, the sixth and only living child of Alexander L., and Phoebe (Edwards) Moore, his father a native of South Carolina, of English descent, and his mother of Georgia, of Welsh descent. His paternal ancestors came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Mordecai Moore, was born in Pennsylvania. He was by trade a mill-stone cutter, and went south to work at his trade. He and his son Alexander L. were soldiers in the war of he Revolution. In 1808 our subject's parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, and when he was seventeen years of age, he induced his father to enter land, in what is now Wayne County, Ind., and in 1817 he entered a half section on Middle Fork of Whitewater River. James built cabins for the family, and in February, 1818, they removed to Indiana. His father was a well-informed man, and a fluent conversationalist. Having seen the evils of the slavery system in his native State, he was bitterly opposed to it, and for many years was a Whig, and later a Republican. He and his wife were consistent members of the Society of Friends. They lived to see their youngest child settled in life, and died at an advanced age. Our subject has experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life, and has seen Richmond grow from a place only in name, to the present flourishing county seat of Wayne County. His early educational advantages were limited, but having a desire for knowledge, he became a diligent reader, and became one of the best informed men in the county. Politically he has been a Whig and Republican. He is an advanced thinker, and an able advocate of his theories. He has been principally engaged in farming through life, but being a natural mechanic, can apply himself to any branch he has need of. After the death of his parents he became the owner of the homestead, 136 acres, which he has sold to his son, and now owns a desirable residence a mile and a half north of Main street, Richmond. He was married in 1828 to Esther, daughter of Jehu and Lydia (Stanfield) Hiatt. Her parents settled in Wayne County in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children — Lydia S. and Clarkson T. Mr. Moore has been Trustee of Wayne Township several years. He is a member of no society, but in religious faith is a Friend.
Source:
History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2