J. R. B. MOORE. Within years of recent date the remarkable growth of the real estate business has given it a prominence and placed it in a position that is attained by very few other elements in this country. This increase and promotion can be nothing less than a reflex of the progress and prosperity of every general interest in the community, and constitutes strong reason for gratification among all observant and appreciative business men. J. R. B. Moore has an excellent knowledge of real estate, as well as the general routine work of a real estate agent, and has been a potent contributor to the growth of his section. He was born near Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County, Missouri, August 15, 1858, a son of Isaac R. and Mary A. (Genoe) Moore, who were born in Meigs County, Tennessee, and were married there in 1857, after which they moved to Lawrence County, Missouri, and in 1866 to what is now Boone County, Arkansas, locating near the present flourishing town of Harrison. He is now residing in Heber and holds the office of justice of the peace in his township. His wife died in February, 1893, when sixty-one years of age, and he is now in his sixty-fourth year. He has served in the capacity of deputy sheriff of Boone County, during the Civil War was in the Confederate service three years and was with Price on his raid through Missouri, serving the most of the time in the commissary department. In 1882 he and his family moved to Dardanelle, this State, and in 1888 to Heber. The father has always been a farmer, is a Mason socially, and politically is a stanch Democrat. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: J. R. B.; T. C., who is also a resident of this place; John T., who died on his twenty-third birthday at Dardanelle; Elizabeth, wife of John H. Wilson, ex-treasurer of this county; Pernie D. L. is the wife of Jack Beaty, of Dardanelle; Frank is in the saw mill business at that place, Pamley is the wife of Joseph Hastings, of Dardanelle; and William is a resident of Heber.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of Boone County and also by much persistent study at home, and at the age of seventeen years commenced to do for himself. He engaged in the real estate business in Harrison with George H. Cotton as his partner, but in 1883 came to Heber and formed a partnership with Robert R. Case, since which time he has resided here and has been identified with every enterprise, interest and development of the section. This firm established the Bulletin, and issued it weekly for one year, during which time they devoted it to the development of the part of Arkansas in which they live and particularly of Cleburne County, and have done wonders in this respect. After a time W. L. Thompson became a member of the firm and at a still later period Messrs. Case and Thompson retired from the firm, and left Mr. Moore to continue the business alone. Since that time he has become the owner of 15,000 or 8,000 acres of mineral, timber and agricultural lands, about 3,000 acres of which are exceptionally rich in coal. Since entering this business, some eleven years ago, the population of the county has almost trebled itself, the result of the efforts of Mr. Moore and his judicious advertising. He has also been identified with the erection of different churches and schoolhouses, as a member of the different building committees, and has been mayor of Heber for nine consecutive terms. He is one of the projectors and prime movers in the building of the Memphis, Heber Springs & Northwest Arkansas Railroad, the route of which is now being surveyed, and is president of this company. He has always spent his time, energy and money to aid any enterprise that would tend to the development of the county or State, and is exceptionally public spirited and helpful. He has been a student of law, is thoroughly posted in titles and law pertaining to lands, etc., and those who have entrusted him with their interests once never hesitate to do so again, for he labors for the interests of his clients and is honorable and upright in his dealings with them. He was a delegate from Arkansas to the World’s Real Estate Congress and was recently appointed by Gov. Fishback to act in the capacity of delegate to the Immigration Convention to be held in Augusta, Ga. Mr. Moore has experienced many ups and downs since coming to Heber, but is now wealthy. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and politically is a Democrat. January 13, 1885, he was married to Miss Josie Chapman, of this county, by whom he has one son and two daughters.