JAMES MOORE. One of the men who have controlled circumstances in life and commanded success is James Moore, a representative farmer of Reynolds County, Missouri He is a man of advanced ideas and tendencies and is well known all over the county. By industry and good management he has become the owner of 284 acres of land, and he has been exceedingly liberal in his contributions to all charitable and philanthropic causes. Mr. Moore was born in Stokes County, N. C., August 13, 1844, and his parents, William and Polly (Westmoreland) Moore, were natives of the same county and State.
The grandfather, Alexander Moore, who died in North Carolina, was a farmer. He was born in Ireland and came to America at an early day. In connection with farming he also followed teaching in the Old North State. William Moore grew to manhood in North Carolina, and in 1859 made his way toward the setting sun and settled in this county, on Logan’s Creek. There he and his wife are still living. They made the journey to this State by wagon, settled on a new farm, and here they have since made their home, the father engaged in tilling the soil. Previous to the war Mr. Moore was a Whig in politics, but since that time he has affiliated with the Republican party. Nine children were born to this worthy couple: John W. died young; Alexander; James, subject; Jane died young; America, wife of Abraham Buford, Rebecca; Miranda, wife of John Copeland; Polly A., wife of London Copeland. The remainder died young.
Until nineteen years of age our subject remained under the parental roof, and he very early imbibed the ideas of independence as well as mutual responsibility in the life to which he was reared. After reaching the above mentioned age he enlisted in the Union Army, Company 1, Third Missouri Cavalry, under Gen. Fisk and Col. Matthews, and served about three years. He was in Pilot Knob and many other hard-fought battles. He was bugler and had a horse shot from under him at Pilot Knob. After fighting bravely for the old flag and serving as a good soldier, he returned to his farm and began his duties on the same. In 1869 he married Miss Catherine Copeland, daughter of William Copeland, of this county, and six children have been given them, five now living: Julia, wife of Joseph Home, of Birch Tree; Sallie died when four years of age; Viola; Mary, William and Stella. Mr. Moore has lived on his present farm for the past ten years, and is classed among the best farmers of the county. He is a prominent stock raiser, and always has some fine stock on hand. Prominent in politics and a stanch Republican he is one of the county’s most successful and influential citizens. He is a Mason, and assisted in establishing the Barnesville Masonic Lodge.