My Genealogy Hound

John W. Moore is of English descent, and the son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Moore, who were the parents of ten children: Greenville, Roadhame, Elizabeth, John W., Alfred, Ann, Gullihue, Cynthia A., Luetsey and George. John Moore was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at the comparatively early age of forty. After his death his widow married B. B. Blackburn, a school-teacher, and by him had five children: Paulina, Roselva, Melvina, Xem. and Hugh. John W. Moore was born on his father’s farm in East Tennessee in 1815, was reared a farmer and came to Lawrence County in 1838, at the age of twenty-three years. He rode horseback 800 miles, coming alone to Springfield, Mo. His uncle, John Williams, was the first settler on Spring or Williams River, and from him the river is probably named, he having settled here as early as 1831. Mr. Moore went directly to his uncle’s house, and soon after purchased a claim, which is now his present farm. He built a log cabin, cleared the land, and in 1839 raised a crop. A year later he married Miss Harriet R. Lebow, daughter of Jacob and Louisa (Henderson) Lebow. The Lebows were from East Tennessee, and settled in Mount Vernon Township in 1838. Among the first settlers were Samuel Williams from Tennessee, Jesse Duncan, Jesse Williamson from North Missouri, Alfred Moore from Arkansas, John Patten from Tennessee, and Boland Baw from Virginia. The following settlers were on Spring River: James Guthrie from Virginia, William Orr from Ohio, formerly from Ireland. Game was abundant, and the old settlers obtained their meat the first season from this source. Here the old settlers lived in plenty and comfort. The women spun and wove the cloth and made all the clothing for the family. The old settlers were nearly all church members, and were either connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian or the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the parents of twelve children: Xem. G. B., Jacob G., Louisa, John W., George, Tenn., Martha, Albert, Logan, Missouri and William G. Mr. Moore has always been a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Previous to the war Mr. Moore was an extensive stock breeder, and mentions an instance of raising thirteen colts from seventeen brood mares two successive seasons. Mr. Moore also traded in cattle and horses, and at that time was about the largest stock dealer in the county, and one of the wealthiest men. During the war most of his stock was taken from him by the rebel and Union soldiers, and his house was robbed of clothing and other property by the bushwhackers. His son, G. B. Moore, now a county judge, served three years in the Union army, and another son, Jacob G., served in the Home Guards. The most of the children are settled around the old homestead. Mr. Moore has given each of his children a start in the world in the shape of land and money—about $800 each. Mr. Moore is now about seventy-four years of age, and retains his memory and mental faculties to a remarkable degree. His temperate life enables him to enjoy good health in his old age. Mrs. Moore is sixty-six years of age, and is strong in mind and body. They represent a type of life which is now rapidly passing away. Mr. Moore has never used any tobacco or whisky, and has always been hard-working and industrious. He is a man of high character, and has been an elder in his church since 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have nine children living, sixty grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren—eighty-one descendants in all. Mr. Moore’s record as one of the oldest and most respected pioneers of Lawrence County will always be regarded with interest and respect by all his descendants, and his example of an upright and respected life should be emulated by all. Mr. Moore planted his first crop of corn in 1839, and has since that time used the seed from this crop. The corn is large and white, and has taken the first premium at the Agricultural Fair since the first fair held in the county. During the war Mrs. Moore placed two bee-hives in the garret to keep them from the soldiers, and one of the swarms of bees is still making honey in their garret home.