My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT F. MOORE, a representative general agriculturist and influential citizen of Berrien County, Mich., has for the past thirty-five years engaged mainly in tilling the soil of his homestead, and located on section 24, Berrien Township, has passed over three-score years in his present locality and, widely known, commands the esteem of a host of friends. Mr. Moore was born March 21, 1831, in Pennsylvania. He is the son of the pioneer settlers, Burrowes and Elizabeth (Reed) Moore, and was only an infant when he accompanied his parents to their new home in the wilderness of the Wolverine State. His father, born in 1796, and the mother in 1800, were courageous, resolute and energetic and well fitted to meet and overcome the difficulties and trials of pioneer life. Born in the Quaker State, they had attained to adult age in their birthplace and were married in the home of their childhood. Some years later they decided to try their fortune in the farther West, and in 1832 journeyed to White Pigeon, Mich., spent a short time in Kalamazoo County, and finally located in Three Rivers, where the father kept a hotel for the benefit of travelers before there was another habitation in the place. The parents removed to Summerville, Cass County, in 1848, and there the father operated a grist-mill, which he afterward sold to Israel Hutton, who later became his son-in-law.

Our subject received his early training and education in Three Rivers, and grew up a self-reliant and industrious youth amid the scenes of those pioneer days. He began his business life as a clerk in the store of Moore & Prutzman, at Three Rivers, and remained with this firm until 1850, when he located in Summerville, and for a few years engaged in business with I. P. Hutton. In 1858 Mr. Moore made his permanent home on his present valuable farm, and from that period of time devoted himself exclusively to the pursuit of agriculture with success. The two hundred acres upon which he then located were partially improved and were owned in common by himself and his brother-in-law, Lewis Edwards, Jr. Our subject afterward bought out the interest of Mr. Edwards, and has brought one hundred and thirty acres of the farm under a high state of cultivation. In 1881 he erected an attractive and commodious country residence, costing over $2,000, and built substantial barns. He carried on mixed farming, raising excellent stock and giving his entire attention to the daily round of duties, until two years ago, when he rented his homestead and is now enjoying a well-earned rest.

In 1855, Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Edwards, a daughter of Lewis and Patience (Garwood) Edwards, who came to Cass County in 1826, and, locating on Pokagon Prairie, were the very first settlers of their locality. They made their home in the near vicinity of Indians, and were surrounded by woods, in which wild game abounded. Both the parents of Mrs. Moore are now deceased. The father was a native of New Jersey, and the mother was born in Ohio. Earnest and upright, the husband and wife passed together many years of usefulness and were honored by all who knew them. Prominent in all matters of local interest, Mr. Edwards served many years as a Justice of the Peace, giving universal satisfaction to his friends and neighbors. He and his good wife were the parents of nine children, seven of whom yet survive. Mrs. Moore was born in August, 1829, on Pokagon Prairie. Our subject and his worthy wife were the parents of five children, but two of whom now survive. Mary is the wife of B. F. Rice, and resides in Dowagiac; she is the mother of two children. Lewis B., living in Berrien Township, married Miss Maud Cameron and has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have both been active in religious work. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Pokagon Lodge, A. F. & A. M. A member of the School Board, he has been a prominent factor in the elevation of scholarship and instruction in the district schools, and encouraged the children to avail themselves of every opportunity to improve themselves and gain a good common education. Mr. Moore is politically a Republican, and has always been deeply interested in both local and National issues. He is a public-spirited man, and during the troublous days of the Civil War sent a substitute to represent him upon the field. He and his worthy wife are yet residing upon the old farm, near which locality they have passed three-score years and witnessed the wonderful changes which have transformed the wilderness of Berrien County into harvest fields and smiling villages. Secure in the high regard of their wide circle of old-time neighbors and acquaintances, they are entering the evening of a career whose record is full of stirring incidents and reminiscences intimately associated with the history of this part of the State.