William R. Moore

WILLIAM R. MOORE, a prominent farmer who owns the southeast quarter of section 9, and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 16, township 33, range 25, in Shawnee township, was born near Galena, Kansas, May 1, 1880, and is a son of William R. and Margaret C. (Chambers) Moore.

The father of Mr. Moore was born at Greenville, Illinois, March 16, 1830, and died February 10, 1899, in Cherokee County. He was reared on the Illinois farm where he remained until 1849, when he started with the other "Argonauts" for California, crossing the plains on the old Santa Fe trail, with ox teams. He remained for two years in the gulch diggings, meeting with fair success. Then he returned to his native county, married and lived there until the birth of his first child. He then sold his property, and started in a prairie schooner to locate in Texas. When he reached that State he found conditions different from his expectations, and, after a brief stop in Arkansas, came to Cherokee County, Kansas. He settled near what is now the city of Galena, buying a tract of 100 acres of railroad land. In 1888 he sold his farm to parties who wanted to work the zinc mines there, and removed across the line to Cave Spring, Missouri. There he devoted himself to farming and prospecting. He owned 160 acres, of which he sold 80 acres in 1898, and bought the place which the subject of this sketch is now operating for his sister. He raises mostly grain and stock.

Mr. Moore married Margaret C. Chambers, who is the daughter of a Methodist clergyman. Of their seven children, four still survive, namely: Nevada, wife of G. O'Hare, of Shawnee township; Alice, who is on the home place; Ida, wife of H. H. Schlessman, of Colorado; and William R. The father died February 10, 1899, his wife having passed away February 21, 1896.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the home place in Cherokee County, and attended the local schools. In 1890 he purchased 200 acres of land in sections 9 and 16; this property he has rented out ever since, and has resided with his sister and operated her farm. Mr. Moore has been very successful in raising wheat, and makes a specialty of this grain, having 50 acres under cultivation in wheat. He also raises corn and oats, the greater part of which he uses to feed the stock on the farm. He has also given attention to the raising of mules.

In politics, like his father, Mr. Moore is a Democrat. The father took a leading part in all movements pertaining to the welfare of Kansas. He was very prominent in the party councils and served in many offices. He was a member of the School Board and served as justice of the peace for a long period. The subject of this sketch is an Odd Fellow, being a member of Crestline Lodge, No. 476. He belongs also to the Rebekahs, and to the Anti Horse Thief Association.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.