Rev. James H. Moore

REV. JAMES H. MOORE, a prosperous farmer of Lyon township, was for many years engaged in evangelical effort in this section, but has had no connection with such work during the past three years. He is a man of business ability and of recognized integrity, and stands very high among his fellow men. He was born in County Down, near Dublin, Ireland, in October, 1844, and is a son of James and Eleanor (Mena) Moore.

James Moore and his wife were natives of Ireland, and both died in Johnson County, Kansas. The father was drowned in the Wakaruso River in 1860. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Mrs. Isabelle Gormel, of New York; Mrs. Margaret J. Jones, of Arkansas; James H. and George, of Cherokee County; and Robert, who died in July, 1903. The two last named were twins.

James H. Moore was three years of age when he was brought to the United States by his parents, who located in New York State, near Rochester. He was 13 years of age when he accompanied them to Johnson County, Kansas, making the trip to St. Louis by water, and thence overland to Kansas City. In July, 1862, he enlisted from Johnson County in Company I, 12th Reg., Kansas Vol. Inf., under Colonel Adams, and during the first year was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, and at Wyandotte. He was then sent to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where the regiment remained one and a half years, being engaged in the Steele expedition. It was stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1865, and discharged at Lawrence, Kansas, in August of that year. At one time Mr. Moore was sent on detached duty to what is now Cherokee County, and arrived at Baxter Springs the day following the massacre, in 1864, receiving many impressions of the county which afterward was to be his home. At the close of the war, he returned to Johnson County, Kansas, and afterward spent two or three years in Atchison County, Missouri, engaged in the lumber business. He then returned to Johnson County, where he remained for two years, and in 1870 started with his brother-in-law for Barry County, Missouri. They stopped, however, at the wild border town of Baxter Springs, where Mr. Moore located on his present claim. He started a house, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, but before its completion his money gave out, and he found it necessary to secure some work. He engaged in hauling freight from Columbus, Coffeyville and Chetopa, earning enough to complete his house. This house stood and was in use until three years ago, when it was torn down and the present comfortable home was erected. Mr. Moore broke 60 acres of land, and planted it to corn the first year. Vast changes have taken place since that early day, when the country was sparsely settled. He was obliged to go to Columbus for his mail, which is now delivered at his house. Among other improvements is the telephone, with which the up-to-date farmer is provided, and Mr. Moore has one in use. He owns 356 acres of land in sections 7 and 8, township 34, range 23, in Lyon township, and of this he has 15 acres set out in fruit trees, which are yielding abundantly. He was engaged extensively in stock-raising in past years, but at present devotes his attention principally to raising wheat. His place is known as "Valley View Farm." He is a Prohibitionist, in politics, and has been engaged in evangelical work for 17 years.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage with Perrylee Rochell, who was born in Tennessee, June 14, 1849, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Rochell. They have had nine children, namely: Ellen E., who died at the age of 22 years; Evaline M., who died at the age of 16 years; Vida M. L.; Clyda M., wife of Homer Brewer, of Cherokee County; James J.; Kate L.; Isaac P.; Rosa, who died at the age of three years; and Ruth E., who died in infancy.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Dustin Jackson, student from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, April 25, 1997.