REGISTER OF
OLD SETTLERS
BOOK ONE
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MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF | |
Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 400 & 401
submitted by Kevan & Mary Chown, November 25, 2007
DEATH OF H.W. MOORE
Muscatine’s Pioneer Hardware Merchant
Expires Suddenly and Unexpectedly
-A Long, Active and Useful
Life Ends.From Tuesday’s Daily:
In the sudden and unexpected death of H. W. Moore, which occurred at 9:30 o’clock yesterday morning, Muscatine loses an honored citizen, who for many years was closely identified with the history and progress of our beloved city. The news of his demise spread rapidly and was a shock to the community which held him in such high esteem and which mourns his taking off.
Mr. Moore came down town as usual yesterday morning and visited his old place of business which he transferred to Bartemeyer & Fulliam a few weeks ago. He was conversing with John Hahn, sr., who had been a faithful employe of his for over 30 years, and planning to fit up a convenient office for himself on the second floor of the store when suddenly he staggered back from the desk at which he was writing, and as he fell was caught by Mr. Hahn, who assisted him to a seat. Thinking it was only a temporary weak spell he called for water, and said that he thought that he would be better in a few minutes. He also asked that a cot be brought from upstairs, but he had scarecely ceased speaking when it was observed that an ashy paleness o’er-spread his countenance and his head fell back. His faithful associates rushed to his side and a physician was summoned, but the object of their solicitude was beyond human aid and expired almost instantly. A messenger was sent to the Moore house with the sad tidings a few moments later and friends took charge of the remains and escorted them to the bereaved household. Thus suddenly ended the active and useful life of one who contributed in a large measure and in a great variety of ways toward the steady advancement of the commercial, educational and religious interests of his chosen city.
Henry Waterman Moore was born in Gardiner, Kennebec county, Maine, on the 12th of October, 1818, and is of English descent, the history of his family in America dating back to 1639, when his ancesters emigrated to the colony of Massachusetts. Mr. Moore was reared to manhood in his native town, where he received an academic education. In the spring of 1836 he went to New York city where he obtained a situation in the wholesale hat and cap store of W.P. Lyon, with whom he remained until the financial panic of 1837 bankrupted his employer, when he returned home. In the spring of 1838 he visited his brother, Ebenezer, in Quincy, Ills., and in June of the same year went to Burlington, Iowa, which at that time was a part of the territory of Wisconsin. There he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Silas Page, with whom he opened a general merchandise store, and for three years was engaged in the forwarding and commission business, under the firm name of H.W. Moore & Co. The firm failing in 1841, he spent the three succeeding years in settling up his old business and in keeping books for old Burlington merchants.
*** continued on page 401 *** From 1844 to 1848 he was in the wholesale dry goods and grocery establishment of W.F. Coolbaugh, late president of the Union National bank, of Chicago. Leaving that employ in April, 1848, he came to Muscatine, then known as the village of Bloomington, and opened a wholesale and retail hardware and iron store, the capital being furnished by Lyman Cook, president of the First National Bank, of Burlington, who, together with W.F. Coolbaugh, supplied him with letters of unlimited credit. Mr. Cook’s interest was purchased in 1852, since which time the business steadily increased under the efficient and able proprietor.
Mr. Moore was one of the promoters of the building of Trinity Episcopal church in 1852, and had been a vestryman in the same for many years. In 1864 he was elected a member of the school board, serving as president for the two ensuing years and about the same time served two years on the City Council. In 1866, upon the establishment of the Merchants’ Exchange National bank, now the First National Bank, of which he was one of the incorporators, he became a member of the first board of directors, and in 1868 he was elected vice president, which office he held a score of years and more. He has also been president of the Muscatine Savings Bank, one of the most prosperous banking institutions in this county from its organization in 1880. He held the office of treasurer in the Iowa Construction Company, which in 1873 and 1874 built the Muscatine Western Railway. He was one of the original stockholders of the Muscatine Water Works Co and treasurer of that incorporation since its inception in 1875. He had also been a stockholder and director in the Hershey Lumber Company since its organization in 1875.
When the Muscatine Oat Meal Company was formed in 1879 he was one of the incorporators and continued his connection with it for nine years. He was one of the organizers and directors of the Muscatine Island Canning Co., established in 1879, the pioneer canning industry of the county. When the Muscatine Fair Ground and Park Association was formed Oct. 13, 1866, he was made its president, which office he resigned two years later, preferring to act simply as one of its directors.
Mr. Moore was married in Muscatine on the 12th of September, 1853, to Ellen Stone, daughter of Calvin R and Susan Fitch Stone. She died on the 5th of February, 1859, leaving two sons, Henry and George. A daughter died in infancy. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Martha M. Southgate.
The funeral is appointed to occur Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Trinity Episcopal church. Those selected to act as pall bearers are the following: Dr. C.H. Sterneman, Charles Page, S.M. Hughes, W.F. Bishop, John Hahn, sr., and William Molis.
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