Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in financial and business circles in Tipton than W. J. Moore, president of the City National Bank. In this connection he has bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control and has made the bank one of the safe, reliable institutions not only of the county but of the state. Moreover, his record proves that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the result of clear judgment, experience and indefatigable industry.
Mr. Moore was born in Fairfield township, Cedar county, about five miles north of Tipton, on the 19th of January, 1862, and spent his youthful days in the home of his parents, Robert Lee and Elizabeth (Johnston) Moore. The father was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1828, and came to America in 1849 when a young man of twenty-one years, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way up the river and established his home in Cedar county, Iowa, in July, 1850. For half a century he resided on the farm on which the birth of W. J. Moore occurred.
On the 28th of June, 1858, Robert L. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Johnston, a native of Ohio, who came to Iowa with her parents. She died June 29, 1867, at the age of thirty-six years, while Mr. Moore long survived her and passed away April 21, 1904. In their family were six children: John Milton, now a resident of Kossuth county, Iowa; Hannah May, who is the wife of C. A. McCune of Davenport; David, who died at the age of twenty-one years; a son who died in infancy; W. J., of this review, and Mrs. C. P. Carl, of California. The father was again married, his second union being with Mary Peterson, a native of Ohio, now deceased. By that marriage the following children were born: A. L., a resident of South Dakota; Mrs. P. A. McMillen, of Carrington, North Dakota; S. W., of Fort Collins, Colorado; Anne, of Carrington, North Dakota; L. C. and Robert, living on the old homestead in Fairfield township; and Thomas, of South Dakota.
The youthful experiences of W. J. Moore were those that usually fall to the farm lad. He remained upon the old homestead with his parents until 1883 and, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools, he attended the Tipton high school. Believing that he would find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable than work along agricultural lines, he came to Tipton on attaining his majority, securing a clerkship in the dry-goods store of William Dean, with whom he remained for nine months. He afterward engaged in the grocery business on his own account for a year. In 1893 he was elected cashier of the First National Bank, serving in that capacity until the bank surrendered its charter, June 3, 1903, and when the business was reorganized under the name of the City National Bank Mr. Moore again became its cashier. In the spring of 1904, however, he was elected to the presidency and has since remained as chief executive officer, devoting his time largely to the active management of the bank, which during the past six years has made a remarkable showing, becoming recognized as one of the strong financial institutions of the state. The other officers are F. D. Wingert, vice president; Charles Swartzlender, cashier; F. J. Beatty, assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and has a surplus and undivided profit of fifty-three thousand four hundred and seventy-three dollars. A general banking business is conducted and the institution has proven a valuable asset in the business circles of Cedar county. Mr. Moore is also a stockholder and director in the Tipton Lighting & Heating Company and a director of the Tipton Canning Company.
In 1886 Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Mary Coutts, who was born in Red Oak Grove, Cedar county, January 8, 1862, and died in California, December 23, 1903. Her death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret for she was a lady whose many estimable qualities and kindly spirit endeared her not only to her immediate family but also to many friends. She was a daughter of William Coutts, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore was born two children: Mary Louise, who is now a student at Winnetka, Illinois; and Wallace Bandeen, a student in New York City.
Mr. Moore belongs to the Knight of Pythias fraternity and is a public-spirited citizen. He manifests a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community, cooperating in many measures for the public good. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity, and from the beginning has had an abiding faith in the ultimate success of the enterprise. He has gained prosperity, yet it was not alone the goal for which he was striving, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general good while advancing individual interests.
