My Genealogy Hound

MOORE, JOHN, M. D. He was born in Parsonfield, York county, Maine, Sept. 5, 1814. His father, Harvey Moore: his grandfather, Harvey, a Captain in the Revolutionary War. His mother, Phoebe Chadburn, the daughter of an able and distinguished Baptist minister. Thus the subject of this sketch came of vigorous, stalwart stock; and evidences are not wanting that these sterling qualities were not lost in transmission.

In boyhood, he had the advantages of the old common school and the New England Academy. However, the young John, like the older John, was not one to be “crammed” with the facts and figures of any prescribed curriculum. He made a poor mirror for the mere reflection of the thoughts and opinions of others. From a child, by an uncontrollable mental bias, he thought for himself. He marked out novel and independent educational paths. It would not be surprising if he was the astonishment and despair of his early teachers. His boyhood proclivities in this direction have become the settled habit of a life-time. His peculiar ideas of, and warm enthusiasm over, self-culture, find in himself a happy illustration.

If the old adage concerning poets, be as true of physicians, John Moore was born a doctor. The boy, riding on a walking-stick and administering the healing mullein leaf to the unprejudicial inhabitants of a New England pasture, naturally came to larger circuits, with improved methods of locomotion and a more extensive materia medica.

Early in life, when such a course required mental independence and no little moral heroism, he became a convert to, and an earnest student of, the homeopathic school of medicine. He accepted it fully; embraced it as a harmonious, satisfactory system, without suspicion or mental reservation; not according it a quasi devotion, as some are said to recognize religion as suitable and beneficial to women and children. Many years of devoted loyalty, no less than his marked and acknowledged success, are ample justification of his early choice.

He came from New England to La Salle county, Ill., in 1856. After practicing his profession here for some time, he entered the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago receiving his diploma in 1861. He practiced successfully in Kankakee, Ill., until Dec, 1870, when he removed to Quincy.

He came, not only followed by the good will of his former patrons, but introduced by the “Medical Investigator” of Chicago, an authority in his school of medicine, and warmly recommended to the citizens of Adams county, as one of the best prescribers in the State.

The distinguishing characteristics of his professional life may be summed up in few, but significant, words. He has rare powers of mental analysis; unshaken faith in his adopted practice; conscientious devotions to the interests of his patients; indomitable energy, and unflagging determination. No thinking man ever dreamed that he could be guilty of making medical experiments. Unquestionably animated by the highest and purest motives of his profession, his constant aim and his fixed purpose have been to save life and relieve suffering. To accomplish this end, he has remorselessly sacrificed, not only the social enjoyments that break the monotony and sweeten the bitterness of life, but also the relaxation absolutely necessary to physical vigor. He has lived with his patients, and with his books for the sake of his patients. For service and sacrifice like this there must be, — there is, — a reward greater than can be furnished by any mere public acknowledgement or approval.

He married Elizabeth H. Emerson in Parsonsfield, Maine, Dec. 14, 1852. She was born in that place March 9, 1825. Their union has resulted in four children, three living: William. L., Hattie H., John (deceased), and Harvey Emerson Moore. Office 639, residence, 637 Maine street, Quincy.