My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL MOORE.
Samuel Moore, deceased, was one of the best known and highly esteemed residents of Auburn township, Shawnee County, and was also one of the best farmers and largest landowners. He was born in County Down, Ireland, March 21, 1845, and died September 17, 1904, on his home farm in Auburn township, in section 17, township 13, range 15. He was a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Douglass) Moore, one of six sons, three of whom came to America.

Mr. Moore was a self-made man, coming to Topeka, July 14, 1869, with wife and child, a poor farmer, and leaving a large and valuable estate, which he had earned through his own industry and good management. For three years after coming, he rented land and then moved upon a quarter-section of land in Auburn township—located in section 17, township 13, range 15—which he bought several years later and which has continued to be the home of his widow and family. To this he subsequently added other tracts of unimproved land, until he owned 640 acres in addition to 160 acres that he gave to his sons. He took a great deal of interest in his home and family, built a comfortable residence and erected substantial buildings of all kinds. His main crop was corn. He was also a large and successful stock-raiser.

In 1866 Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Anna Baxter, the estimable lady who still survives him. She was born in County Down, Ireland, September 23, 1846, and is a daughter of William and Anna (McCully) Baxter, the youngest of their 11 children. Her two brothers, John and Isaac, and her sister, Mrs. Susanna (Allen) Whitten, came to this locality before she did, all four being pioneers here. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had 17 children, the 10 who survived infancy being: Mary, who died aged 11 years; John, who lives at home; Malcolm, of Auburn township; Maggie, who married John Henderson and at her death at the age of 25 years left two children; and Mary Ellen, Susie, Maria, George, Hugh and William, who live at home. Samuel Henderson, Mrs. Moore’s grandson, also lives with her.

Mr. Moore was a very intelligent, well-informed man. He was very fond of reading and often spent long evenings with his books and papers. He reared a large family to respect his authority and he provided them with all reasonable comforts and gave them many advantages. They were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church and he was a trustee in the Auburn church for many years. Politically he was a Republican. In his death Auburn township lost one of its best citizens. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Moore accompany this sketch.