JamesB. Moore
JAMESB. MOORE, a soldier in the late war, was born in Newark, Delaware, November26, 1819. His father, John, was born in the same place, October 9, 1791,and his grandfather, Archibald, was a native of Jamestown, Virginia. Thegreat-grandfather of our subject was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry,and came to America and settled in Virginia, where he spent his last years.Archibald moved from Virginia to Newark, Delaware, bought land from JosephEagle, and there spent his last years as a farmer. The farm is still ownedby his descendants. The name of his wife was probably McDonald, and asfar as known, she spent her entire life in Newcastle county. John alwaysfollowed agricultural pursuits, and the house where he was born was hishome throughout his entire life. His wife was Mary Webb Temple of Chestercounty, Pennsylvania, whose father, Samuel, was born in the same locality,and whose grandfather, Caleb, was also a native of Pennsylvania. He wasa Magistrate for several years under King James. He was an extensive landowner, owning the land, including Chad’s Ford and Burningham in Chestercounty, where the battle of Brandywine was fought. He spent his last yearsin Chester county, was a Quaker, and reared his family in the same faith.The grandfather of our subject was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser,and spent his last days in Chester county. His wife was Elizabeth Clements.The mother of James died near Newark, Delaware, October 1883, aged eighty-three.
Jameswas reared and educated in Newark, attending school quite steadily untiltwenty years of age, when he engaged in farming for five years. He thenbecame a merchant for one year, but sold out and turned his attention tothe study of law in the office of John M. Clayton, and in 1848 was admittedto the bar, and the same year came to Mt. Sterling. He practiced here untilhis enlistment, July 15, 1861, in Company G, Third Illinois Cavalry, andserved eight months. He was honorably discharged on account of disabilityincurred in the service. He then accepted the position of Provost Marshalof the Ninth Illinois District, and served in that capacity two and one-halfyears. On account of failing eyesight, he resigned and returned home. Althoughnot totally blind, he is so nearly so as to incapacitate him for the practiceof his profession, and he lives retired in his pleasant home he has builtin Mt. Sterling.
Hemarried Cordelia Merritt on September 8, 1851. She was born in Naples,Illinois. Her father, Joseph, was born in Sussex county, Delaware, July16, 1803. When he was eight years old his parents went to Ohio. The removalwas made with two horses attached to a cart. They located in Pickaway county,where they lived until 1828, and then moved to Illinois, and were amongthe first settlers of Morgan county. Later they bought land in Pea Ridgetownship, lived there until 1850, when they came to Mt. Sterling, wherethey continued to reside for the remainder of their days. Mr. Merritt diedin 1890. His wife died in Mt. Sterling in 1875. She was Rebecca Drew andwas born inOhio.
Mr.and Mrs. Moore have had ten children: Joseph, James B., Kate, Will, Eugene,Annie, Sladie, Lottie, Jennie and George. Mr. Moore has been a member ofthe Republican party since its formation. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are amongthe best people of Pea Ridge and are greatly respected by all who knowthem.
BiographicalReview of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois, BiographicalReview Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892, pages 278-279.
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