James M. Moore, M. D., a successful and influential physician of southern Kansas, was born on his father's farm in Miami county, Kansas, February 2, 1870, a son of Benjamin and Frances (Drum) Moore. The elder Moore was a native of Ohio, born in Monroe county in 1840, and followed farming throughout his life. He came to Kansas in 1867 and located in Miami county, where he purchased a tract of land, which he improved and placed in cultivation. He became one of the successful agriculturists of his section, took an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood, was a student of the questions and measures of the day and enjoyed the esteem of the community, in which he was influential. His death occurred February 19, 1902.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage, April 8, 1868, with Mrs. Frances Craig, nee Drum, a daughter of Henry Drum. She was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1844. To this union were born three children: James M., the subject of this sketch; Charles, born May 19, 1871, a prosperous farmer, of Miami county; and Thomas B., born October 2, 1873, also a farmer, of Miami county and resides on the old Moore homestead. By her previous marriage with Elias Craig, a private in an Ohio regiment, who died in Nashville, Tenn., in 1863, she had three sons: John Henry Craig, a farmer, of Spring Hill, Kan.; Elias W. Craig, a farmer, of Wellsville, Kan., and Lee W., a resident of Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Moore obtained his literary education in the public schools of Miami county and graduated from the Spring Hill High School with the class of 1890. Subsequently he entered the Kansas City Veterinary College, from which he was graduated in 1897, following which he practiced for one year. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Kansas City, Kan., and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1900. He located for practice at Westline, Mo., in 1901, having spent the previous year as interne at Bethany Hospital, Kansas City, Kan. In 1910 he took a post-graduate course in the University Medical College, Kansas City, Mo. He removed to Madison in 1904, where he has built up a lucrative practice, and attained a prominent place among the members of his profession. He is local surgeon of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company. He has attained the Knights Templar degree in Masonry and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias. He has taken an active part in the commercial life of his home city and is vice president of Bank of Madison.

Dr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Lula A. Elliott on April 16, 1902. She is a native of Canada, born October 30, 1875, and is a daughter of I. M. Elliott, a first cousin of Thomas A. Edison. The family are prominent in the social life of their section and the Moore residence is known for its gracious hospitality.