William MOORE, a grocer at Vienna, is a native-born son of Johnson
County, and is one of her
successful business men, who has made his way from poverty to a
well-assured financial position solely through his push and energy in
the management of his affairs. He was born in Bloomfield Township,
January 21, 1857, a son of John P. MOORE, a patriotic soldier of the
late war, who sacrificed his life for his country.
The
father of our subject was born in Davidson County, Tenn., and was a son
of Andrew MOORE, who was a farmer of that State, and, so far as known,
spent his entire life in Davidson County, he being a descendant of one
of the early pioneer families of Tennessee. John MOORE was a young man
when he came to Illinois to cast in his lot with
the pioneers of Johnson County. He bought a tract of timber land, and
erected a log cabin for himself and his young wife, and in that humble
abode their eldest son, of whom we write, was born. It was a primitive
affair. The boards for the roof were split by hand and held in place by
poles, and boards split by hand were used for the floor and doors; in
fact, no sawed lumber entered into the construction of the building.
The chimney was made of clay and sticks. Mr. MOORE worked diligently to
clear his land and place it under cultivation, but he finally laid
aside his labors at the call of a higher duty, and in 1862 enlisted in
Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Infantry. He served with
fidelity a year and a-half, and was then honorably discharged on
account of disability. He returned home, but never recovered his
health, remaining an invalid until his death in 1873, thus surrendering
his life for the Union, for which he had so bravely fought. His wife,
whose maiden name was Mary S. BRADEN, and who is thought to have been a
native of Tennessee, survived him until February 10, 1889, and then she
too passed away. They were the parents of six children: William, Sarah,
Lucy, Nancy, John and Henry.
The
subject of this biographical review being the eldest of the family had
to shoulder the burdens of life early, as his father went to war when
he was very young. He had but little opportunity to attend school, and
his education has been mostly gained by experience and observation.
The good mother was ever active in the interests of her
home and children, and for some time they were neatly clad in
home-spun, the work of her deft hands in carding, spinning and weaving.
In
the meantime Mr. MOORE bought forty acres of land, and in 1882 sold his
crop and stock, and with the proceeds completed the payment, and then
traded his land for an interest in a livery stable in Vienna. Later, in
the same year, he exchanged his interest in the stable for a stock of
groceries at Metropolis estimated to be worth $300. He removed the
groceries to Vienna, and renting a small room, began his successful
career. He now carries a large stock and commands a first-class trade.
He is recognized as a thoroughly honest and
trustworthy business man, whose word is as good as a bond, and his
fellow-citizens bear him in great respect. In his political sympathies
he is with the Republicans. Religiously, both he and his estimable wife
are consistent members of the Congregational Church.
The
marriage of Mr. MOORE with Miss Nancy J. BOARDMAN, who was born near
Jonesboro, Union County, was solemnized July 7, 1878. It has been
hallowed to them by the birth of three children: Ernest, Myrtle and
Teddie.
transcribed by Nan Starjak
Source:
The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties
Chicago
Biographical Publishing Co., 1893
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