Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

Procrastination is one of my downfalls. This week has flown by and so for want of something fast I will run an autobiography from the Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Thomas Moore of Macon and Franklin Town. There are many other free stories from this thick book of the founders of our county (for another day.)

“Thomas Moore, of Franklin County, Nebraska, is one of the leading residents of that locality. He is a retired merchant, coming to this county in 1879, establishing a general store at Macon, which he carried on up to 1903.

“Mr. Moore was born in Ontario and grew up in his native land. His father, John Moore, served for five years in the Grenadier Guards and mustered out at Montreal in 1840, locating in Ontario. When Thomas was a small boy the family moved to New York State, settling near Plattsburg. The father is now dead, and one of our subject’s most prized possessions is the formers discharge papers. He grew up in New York State, and in 1862 enlisted in the Ninety-sixth Infantry and served in the Army of the Potomac, taking part in all of the big battles, including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, etc.

“He saw the seamy side of a soldier’s career, suffering much privation, and while he was fortunate in never being severely wounded during the difficult engagements in which he participated, saw much of the horrors of war, and like everyone else was heartily glad when the struggle was over. He left the army with a brilliant record and is now one of the prominent veterans in his part of the country.

“After his discharge he returned to New York State and engaged in the lumber business, which he carried on for eleven years, then came to Nebraska, making his first settlement at Kearney, landing here in 1879. Soon afterwards he located permanently in Macon, which at that time was a village with a few hundred inhabitants, and established a mercantile business, which he continued up to 1903. He was one of the first men to put a stock of goods in the town, and much of his patronage was drawn from the Indians during the earlier years. He was appointed postmaster at Macon immediately after locating her and held the office for sixteen years. He has served as county commissioner, holding the office one term, and in 1880, under the new law, was elected to the first board of supervisors, also serving for one term.

“In 1884, during the hard times which prevailed in that locality, he was appointed president of the state board of relief for the settlers who had suffered from loss of crops and were unable to make a living, and he was one of the most active in securing this help and assisting in their relief.

“Mr. Moore was the leading spirit in establishing the Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon, and was superintendent of the Sabbath school for Twenty-four years, also acted as trustee of the church. For twelve years he served on the school board of the town. All this time his trade was increasing and he did well in a business way, constantly increasing his line of goods, and his success was due wholly to his energy and honestly of principle in dealing with the public, making him one of the most influential and highly respected citizens this region has ever known.

“In 1903 Mr. Moore came to Franklin and founded the Moore Merchantile Company in Franklin, taking in partnership his two sons-in-law, John Garrett, who formerly lived in Hexton, CO and E. J. Briggs, of Trenton, NE, where he owns a fine twelve hundred acre ranch. They carried on this business up to 1906, and then sold out to Messrs. Hesse & Co., who now operates the store. Mr. Moore also is owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Trenton, which is well stocked with cattle, horses and hogs, and his intention is to move to this property in a short time and permanently reside there.

“Mr. Moore has a family of two daughters and two sons. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Ancient Order United Workmen and a prominent Grand Army of the Republic man.”

O fall the birds that sing and fly between the housetops and the sky,
The muddy sparrow, mean and small, I like, by far, the best of all.

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

Transcribed by Carol Wolf Britton (Thomas Moore is her Gr. Gr. Grandfather)

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