My Genealogy Hound

M. L. MOORE, harness manufacturer, Bloomington. One of the leading, if not the largest, retail harness and saddle manufacturers of Bloomington is Mr. M. L. Moore, who is a native of Sangamon Co., Ill. In 1847, he began learning the trade of a harness-maker, in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., by serving an apprenticeship of three years. In 1851, he came to this city and engaged in the manufacture of harness and saddles; in 1853, he took Mr. P. Whitmer as partner, this partnership lasting about three years; he then bought Mr. Whitmer’s interest in the business, which he conducted until 1862, then sold out to Mr. M. X. Chuse and entered the army in the war of the late rebellion. He enlisted in Co. K, 94th I. V. I., as a private, but was elected by a vote of the line-officers Quartermaster of the regiment. He was in the service from August, 1862, until August, 1865. Upon his return from the army, he became a partner of Mr. Chuse in his old business. In 1867, he bought Mr. Chuse out, and has since conducted the business alone. His establishment is located at 114 South Main street, and is neatly fitted up and stocked with a full line of harness, saddles, collars, whips, robes, nets, trunks, valises, and, in fact, everything pertaining to a complete and well-stocked establishment of this kind. He sometimes gives employment to as many as fourteen men. By his honesty and square-dealing, he has established a business of which he has every reason to be proud.